Genesis 32:30 I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved
John 1:18 No man hath seen the face of God
2006-12-29 08:58:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
another one. when will you people learn? john states that no man has seen God face to face, which is true!
Genesis states- and you left out the text beforehand- this is when Jacob wrestles with the angel and the angel breaks or disjoints a bone. Jacob, metaphorically states- I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. it does not say he actually saw him. duh!
contradictions- 0 deception attempts- 10 billion!
2006-12-29 09:03:32 · answer #1 · answered by ConstElation 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello -
see John1:18 where it says No man hath SEEN God at any time; the only begotten Son, etc etc etc - Okay; the word "seen" as utilized here means "seen with the human eye with certainty, and then recorded the event" -- thats whats in the manuscripts.
Gen 32:30 - The word "seen" as utilized in this verse translates back to the manuscripts as "observing, as seeing without the necessity of an object there; to perceive with absolute certainty; to see as with understanding" --
And, "my life is preserved" translates from the word "nephesh" for soul - because he has full understanding of God the Father, his soul will be preserved -ie; eternal life.
So what is really being said here? John is simply saying that no man has actually seen God with his human eyes and then recorded the event; and Genesis 32:30 Jacob's name was changed to "israel", and has had his spiritual eyes opened to understand the existance and plan of God, therefore his belief earns him eternal life.
So, both accounts are true.
I hope this has been helpful.
Jan
2006-12-29 18:31:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're both true. That's how metaphors work.
Like, say somebody's "seen the face of evil." Literally? Literally seen the face of evil? Probably not. They mean they've seen something that seems to personify evil, make it concrete. It's the same kinda thing.
Seeing God "face to face" would mean that the author had internalized God, the force of good in the universe. Maybe the author had seen the power of good, seen what it could do, decided to be good, and so saved his/her life.
But literally, no, I doubt anyone's seen an actual "face" of God. BTW, Moses saw God's *back*, not front. No face seen.
2006-12-29 17:03:33 · answer #3 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genesis= OT
John= NT
In the entire OT it is a common belief that God manifests from tie to time to 'steer or test his people'.
In the entire NT it no longer the case, God assumes a much more 'hands off' approach.
So both accounts are within the guidelines that the early Church fathers thought appropriate.
2006-12-30 06:24:11 · answer #4 · answered by wolf560 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF you would bother to read the entire text you would see it is JACOB'S VISION In Chapter 32 of Genesis. in vs 24 Jacob wrestles the angel and his named is changed to Israel. The angel blessed Jacob.
Jacob thought he had been confronting GOD.
The BIBLE does not CONTRADICT ITSELF. You are Calling God a liar if you insist that it does.
Moses in Eodus 24:10 was not seeing GOD but the Glory of God.
Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman that needeth not to be ASHAMED RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH. 2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God...
Christian in PA
2006-12-29 17:20:43 · answer #5 · answered by Penny Mae 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always in the Old Testament, that contemplation would remain something exceptional. a favor granted to Moses and Elias. Moses himself would be allowed to see only the back, after God’s passage (Ex 33:20-23), although he longed to see God face-to-face. No one could see the face of God and live, because of sin.
2006-12-29 17:05:04 · answer #6 · answered by thoridiumh30 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moses wrote Genesis.
[God said:] When a prophet rises among you, I make myself known to that person in a vision; I speak with that person in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses. He is trusted throughout My household. With him I speak mouth to mouth, plainly and not in riddles, and he beholds the likeness (temunah) of God. [Numbers 12:6-9]
2006-12-29 17:01:40 · answer #7 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And a third contradiction if Jesus was God no one could have seen his face!!
2006-12-29 17:01:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was going to flip my two faced Janus coin to decide this question, but I think my nephew took it for coin flip bet cheating at school.
2006-12-29 17:01:56 · answer #9 · answered by Barabas 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically, a prophet would not be considered a 'man' by biblical vocabulary.
2006-12-29 17:02:43 · answer #10 · answered by Tofu Jesus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋