>PROBLEMS WITH THIS "SOLUTION"
>
> Here are what I see as the problems with this solution. I would
>appreciate comments or corrections.
>
> 1) Regarding the last "explanation," if David had not sinned from
>god's perspective, then it is absurd of him to be repentant. The fact
>that he was repentant shows that he thought he had sinned.
>
> 2) If god made David take the census, and thus it was not wrong
>to do so, then why does the bible later relate that David knew that he had
>sinned by taking the census, and then was punished by god for having taken
>the census? God killed 70,000 of David's people for this transgression.
>That's a pretty hefty penalty for an act which Nanson says was not even a
>sin.
>
> 3) I Chronicles 21:1 says "Satan rose up against Israel and
>incited David to take a census of Israel." This raises two problems at
>least.
> a) If there was only one person who caused David to take the
>census, then one must conclude that god is satan.
> b) If Satan caused someone to do something, and for doing it god
>punishes that person by killing 70,000 of his people, by what insane (even
>by Xian standards) reasoning can one claim that that act was not wrong in
>the eyes of god?
>
CASEY Douglas: This is one of my "favorite" contradictions in the bible. You're exactly right in pointing out the obvious discrepancy. But, if yoy think Nanson had a lame "explanation", read the one included in my study bible, edited by Jerry Falwell, et al:
"Taking a census was not a wrong thing to do per se. God Himself had previously ordered Moses to make two censuses. However, in this case Satan seized upon the growing pride of David's heart to incite him into taking a census, so the king might have a ground of boasting. God, the controller of all things, allowed the deed to be done so as to bring David to a place of humility and reality. God and Satan are often involved in the same event, but for different causes--God so that the believer might be instructed and grow, but Satan, to discredit the believer and therefore, God Himself."
Excuse my French, but WHAT BULLSH-T!! I have two problems with this "explanation":
1. In II Samuel 24:1, no matter how you read it, (as long as you read what it says NOT what you want it to say), it says THE LORD, NOT SATAN, "moved David". Satan's name is not mentioned as the cause for David to number Israel! It doesn't say that god "...allowed the deed to be done...". HE CAUSED IT TO BE DONE!!! There's a BIG difference! BUT, if one reads I Chronicles 21:1, here, SATAN, NOT THE LORD, "provoked David". No matter how you slice it, folks, this is about as contradictory as it gets! 2. What about the 70,000 people who were killed so that David "...might be instructed and grow..."? That's a pretty heavy price to pay just so that one of god's favorite psychopaths might be made "humble"!
Anyone who believes these types of "explanations" is brain-dead!
Chuck Casey