Will He reconcile all THINGS? or all PEOPLE?

[Seth]

If you want a good laugh: http://youtu.be/YdGjKAY8WaA

[Tom]

Yeah, that's not the first time I've heard doubts about string theory. Here's a link with some interesting info about how modern physics shows evidence for God. http://godevidence.com/2012/02/god-is-real/ It always makes me laugh when I hear atheists claim believers are anti-science.

[Seth]

I just love how they showed the argument as a conversation about how to raise the kids. That's usually a conversation about religion.   :laughing7:

[Tom]

That is their religion, bro.

[Tom]

I wonder what Sheldon's explanation of DNA would be.

[Seth]

His explanation of DNA would be, "Sheldon is awesome."

[Tom]

Yeah, like his explanation for everything. This is what really trips me out about modern physics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzRdZGYNvA

[Tony N]

Collosians 1:20

kai      di             autou    apokatallaxai
and    through    Him       to reconcile

ta      panta    eis     auton    eirEnopoiEsas
the    all          into    Him       making peace

dia            tou    haimatos    tou       staurou
through    the    blood         of the    cross

autou     di             autou    eite           ta
of Him    through    Him       whether    the

epi    tes     ges       eite    ta     en    tois
on     the     earth    or      the    in     the

ouranois.
heavens.

I don't see the word "things" in there anywhere.
Yet most bible translations say "all things."
If it does mean all things and not just all people, then:
What about rattlesnakes?
And mosquitoes?
And extinct species?
What about neanderthals?
And wooly mammoths?

First we have "to reconcile the all" and then we have some elipsis:  "the [all] on the earth" and "the [all] in the heavens"

This reconciling has to do with all beings which are "estranged and enemies" to God (Col.1:21), who drop their enmity and become friends with God.

[Tom]

Amen.

[eaglesway]

Collosians 1:20

kai      di             autou    apokatallaxai
and    through    Him       to reconcile

ta      panta    eis     auton    eirEnopoiEsas
the    all          into    Him       making peace

dia            tou    haimatos    tou       staurou
through    the    blood         of the    cross

autou     di             autou    eite           ta
of Him    through    Him       whether    the

epi    tes     ges       eite    ta     en    tois
on     the     earth    or      the    in     the

ouranois.
heavens.

I don't see the word "things" in there anywhere.
Yet most bible translations say "all things."
If it does mean all things and not just all people, then:
What about rattlesnakes?
And mosquitoes?
And extinct species?
What about neanderthals?
And wooly mammoths?

First we have "to reconcile the all" and then we have some elipsis:  "the [all] on the earth" and "the [all] in the heavens"

This reconciling has to do with all beings which are "estranged and enemies" to God (Col.1:21), who drop their enmity and become friends with God.

:iagree:

[micah7:9]

Amen  :iagree: :dsunny:

[Tom]

Even though you said you're "not UR," it seems you just said you believe it, which is a good, and it has nothing to do with being in a "denomination," right?

[jbertonbounds]

No quibbling on this thread! :laughing7:

[Tom]

Yeah, I was going to use that word but figured I better not. It is kind of curious though. Does that mean there's been a conversion or what?

[Shev]

Most of the posts here seem to ask (with regards to animal and plant life) about the possibility of God reconciling all things, or just all humankind, angels etc. This speaks of conciliation of enemies, and may not be an appropriate term for His dealings with the rest of His creation. However, God also declares "Behold, I make all things new!" We have a new heaven, a new earth, new creatures in Christ such as ourselves, etc etc. Is it really too much of a stretch to think that this 'all' may indeed extend to other life forms?

I never had a pet growing up, and this would have been a bit of a moot point. I now have a dog, and this has caused me to muse upon this point, as I have seen how in addition to having a spirit, a dog clearly has a personality, a certain degree of a emotion, and a capability of expressing love. I must admit, I love my dog, and dearly hope he is alive and present in the consummation of all things. This leads me to another logical point - does God love my dog any less than I do? Did he create these animals as things to be discarded and forgotten because they are 'lower life forms', or does He rejoice in them as part of His wonderful creation which He declared to be good?

Remember Balaam's donkey - it's mouth was opened and it was able to express real thought. Is it not more than possible that such a beast is suffering from the fall, and yet will benefit from the restoration?

My personal thought is this - I believe all things will indeed be made new, and yet may not resemble what they are now physically. Speculation on the ages to come is a bit like two babies in a womb speculating over the appearance of a rainbow...who among us have seen what shall be in that time, save that God will be all in all?

We know that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the awareness of our kind Father. If the hairs of our head are all numbered, it is a small thing for Him to have numbered all of the ants, or blades of grass, even as He has numbered the stars and calls them out by name. All things came forth from Him, out of His very substance, whether men or angels or animals or trees, and though they may be changed in order to be made new, who is to say they will not all abide forever, as how can any of His substance be lost, 'like tears in the rain' as it were?

[Tom]

Those are wise words, brother. I think creation and reconciliation have the same scope.

[rosered]

  Good Post and thoughts Michael    !!!  :thumbsup:

I have a couple of dogs     that have   gone on    a Golden   Retriever ,'' Sunny Boy''  and   and  German Shepherd /husky  mix   ''   Moses ''
I still feel them   loving  thoughts    in my heart  , they are like  family   with  personalities      and so smart !,       such    a substance    of  loyal and loving creatures        Gods gifts,  no doubt  !   and  miss them   to this day !!    I understand  your   expressions       exactly !!

All things are for Gods glory , even our beloved ones in the form they are  His '' created  beings''     to learn from and   develop    bonds of   lasting perfection    :flowerred: