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Author of confusion

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by JamesL, Jul 25, 2015.

  1. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
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    Over and over I've heard that God is not the author of confusion, and the obvious reference is to 1Corinthians 14:33



    But are we justified in making that a blanket statement, devoid of context? Consider Genesis 11:7........

    New International Version
    Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

    New Living Translation
    Come, let's go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other."

    English Standard Version
    Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

    New American Standard Bible
    "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech."

    Holman Christian Standard Bible
    Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another's speech."

    International Standard Version
    Come on! Let's go down there and confuse their language, so that they won't understand each other's speech."

    NET Bible
    Come, let's go down and confuse their language so they won't be able to understand each other."


    Did God author the confusion at the Tower of Babel?


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  2. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Good question James. I don't know the answer...but rather post a follow up question.

    Is the meaning of "confusion" in the Hebrew texts have precisely the same meaning and nuances as does "confusion" in the Greek texts? Do you know?
     
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Yes, God authored the confusion at Babel. He also authored the confusion when the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were blinded so that Lot and his family could escape. And, there's a battle in the Bible - I can't remember which one - where God authored the confusion of the Hebrew's enemies to fight and kill themselves.

    God turns people over to a reprobate mind sometimes. God is going to send a strong delusion one day.

    God is Sovereign and can do anything he chooses to - which includes authoring confusion when it suits his plans.

    But, God is not the author of confusion and disorder in the church. When THIS happens - it is the fault of the church members who are bringing disorder to the service.

    God, through Paul, was telling the church at Corinth that order and peace must be maintained in the church service and that three groups of people must not speak because the overlapping of multiple people talking at once was chaotic.



    • "Keep silent" - anyone who speaks in tongues but there is no interpreter. If there was an interpreter, only two or three people were to do this and then only one at a time for the edification of the people.
    • "Keep silent" - anyone prophesying (and Paul had already stated that this could be a woman, too) and a second person received a message from God. The first person had to "keep silent" and let the second person prophesy. After the prophesy, everyone was to evaluate what was said so that everyone could learn and be encouraged. Again, only two or three people prophesying and then - in turn - or one at a time.
    • "Keep silent" - any wives who did not understand something and would be prone to speak aloud to their husbands asking questions.
    And that is what God is not the author of - disruptive speech when people are all talking at once and the focus becomes on the chaos and nothing of value actually gets heard - you know - sort of like on Fox News when they all yell over each other!!
     
  4. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

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    Just a quick note: the word "author" is actually not in the Greek text in 1 Cor 14:33.

    YLT 1Co 14:33 for God is not a God of tumult, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
     
  5. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Thanks
     
  6. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    YES we can make the blanket statement. We should always look at the context. But we need to also always remember the under-girding principle.

    God---the Deliverer of truth---does not bring about disorder or confusion about his TRUTH. If it exists in a situation, it's because man's OPINION is at odds with God's truth.
     
  7. JamesL

    JamesL Well-Known Member
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    In Romans 11:8 we read that God gave Israel a spirit of stupor. Concerning His truth. Are you suggesting that He didn't?


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