Does GOD Make Mistakes?

What about his own admission in the 10 commandments that he is a jealous God. Is jealousy not a fault? Just something to chew on.

God is perfect in the way that he has no sin. He doesn't make mistakes either. Jealousy is an emotion yes. But I don't believe it is a fault. We can get jealous but it's only if that jealousy becomes sin by dwelling or acting upon it. Just like I wouldn't say anger is a sin. It is just an emotion. But if we act upon that emotion, then we sin. God is jealous because he doesn't want us worshipping fake gods. He has every right to be jealous because he did create us. God disciplines his children. When a child disobeys his parents, the parent will become upset and punish them. But, with good parenting, a punishment is because they are trying to raise their children correctly. God becomes angry and therefore we suffer consequences of our actions. Disciplining us is what we deserve though, and for God is not a sin.

Correct, to discipline children(us) for doing bad things is not wrong. Emotions are not a sin. But if I were an jealous, angry, vain person, I wouldn't consider myself perfect. I'm curious. does God call himself perfect, or do we do that?

Why do you feel this way? What is your definition of perfection? Does scripture fit the definition of perfection as far as God is concerned? Does God feel that HE is perfect?

First of all I must say that the Apostle Paul in not the person to whom I look when I want an accurate account of how things are. Your born again status does not make your opinion any greater than those of us who were Christian from birth. I mean you no disrespect, but God does not whisper to the Born agains and leave the rest of us out. If my tone sounds at all harsh, that is truly not the intent. Someone above spoke of Matthew and being perfect like the father in heaven. My view is that Jesus viewed his father as perfect, as we all do, but our earthly fathers are not perfect. THey are learning and they are trying to make us better people. God does likewise.

Being a born-again Christian, I'm proudly to say that it was impressed to me by God through meditation of His words. Biblically, I want to share to you the following verses, it says In 1 CORINTHIANS 2:10-11 (NT) - "but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God... In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." Again in 1 CORINTHIANS 2:14 (NT) - "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, because they are spiritually discerned." Again in 1 CORINTHIANS 2:16 (NT) - "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" In 1 CORINTHIANS 3:19-20 (NT) - "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness'; and again, 'The Lord knows that thoughts of the wise are futile.'" While in DEUTERONOMY 32:4 (OT) - "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He." And in PSALMS 18:30 (OT) - "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless." Again in MATTHEW (NT) 5:48 - "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." I hope that these verses made it clear to you. God bless!

I understand the you don't believe in a supreme being. I'm curious to know if you've read the Bible and if so, do you see the God portrayed in the Bible as an entity with human faults?

I have read the Bible several times. I find the Old testament God to be extremely flawed. I haven't really worked out Who the New Testament God is.

I do believe that. I also believe that he has some very human emotions and scripture indicates this. Consider the story of Job. God has a point to prove to Satan, so he destroys a man's life just to prove this point. Is vanity not a fault? Again, I'm not trying to start arguements. I'm just looking for input.

I'm sorry, I do think it was a fault of God. It was to show Satan up, not do help Job in any way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming God or trying to say anything bad about Him. I don't feel badly about him. I just don't think it was fair or just. As a result of this and many other stories, I see our God as very human.

It was Satan who destroyed Job's life, under God's permission. I think this story is to show us that we can be tested, but we must keep our faith. Even though God gave Satan permission to ruin Job, he told him to spare his life. Also, after all this, Job still kept his faith, so God then blessed him with twice as much abundance than he originally had. I wouldn't call this vanity. God allowed Satan to do this to prove Job was faithful, yes, but I think it was more for Job than for Satan or God to prove a point. Also, everything in the bible is for us today to learn from. I believe God let this happen so that we can take something from it as well. I wouldn't say this was a mistake or fault from God. He has a plan for everything, and that was just a piece of the puzzle.

I agree. I wouldn't blame God for bad things happening to people any more than I would think Him if my team won the Superbowl.

True I guess it could just be a test like the test for Job. didnt really think of it like that good point.

Yes, but to have a fault or defect does not constitute having sin. If I grow angry at my children for fiddling when they are getting their hair cut, I am suffering from impatience. Impatience is a fault, but is it a sin?

Thanks for your reponse. So you believe the basis for perfection is the lack of sin?

I believe that's a big part of it. Jesus was said to be perfect because he was the only man to ever be without sin. Perfect is defined as being entirely without fault or defect. I think that to have sin is to have fault and defect. Since God is sinless, he does not have these characteristics. What would you consider perfect to be?

I respect your opinion, but I would love to know your definition of "perfect." Thanks so much

excellent point!!

If my destiny is preordained, then where does free will come into play?

That's my take, actually. God created us in him image, warts and all. He's less fallible than we are, but it's because he has the wisdom of his errors in life, like good parents.

Oh, yes. SOmeone said once; to paraphrase: Jesus was a cool guy. But some of his followers give me the creeps.