God is not a God of confusion vs. The Tower of Babel?
Question
Paul states that God IS NOT the God of confusion. How come then God caused confusion at the Tower of Babel?
Answer
The answer to this questions deals with the idea of context. What is the context of Paul's statement — and thus its truth and what is the context of the Tower of Babel — and thus its truth.
Paul states, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33). Briefly, I note that Paul is discussing some of the spiritual gifts in the Corinthian Church. In addition, Paul states that God is not the God of disorder in the "congregations of the saints."
In Genesis 11, God is not dealing with the "congregation of the saints." Moreover, God is not dealing with "spiritual gifts," but rather an attempt to disobey God's command — to fill the earth (Gen. 9:1). Instead of obeying the covenant command to fill the earth, the babblers, outwardly defied God saying, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:4). So, "the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:8-9).
Thus, there is no contradiction. Each set of verses has a different context. Just because verses have the same word or series of words in them, does not necessarily mean they will be interpreted the same, as they can be discussing different topics, etc.
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
Paul states, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33). Briefly, I note that Paul is discussing some of the spiritual gifts in the Corinthian Church. In addition, Paul states that God is not the God of disorder in the "congregations of the saints."
In Genesis 11, God is not dealing with the "congregation of the saints." Moreover, God is not dealing with "spiritual gifts," but rather an attempt to disobey God's command — to fill the earth (Gen. 9:1). Instead of obeying the covenant command to fill the earth, the babblers, outwardly defied God saying, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:4). So, "the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth" (Gen. 11:8-9).
Thus, there is no contradiction. Each set of verses has a different context. Just because verses have the same word or series of words in them, does not necessarily mean they will be interpreted the same, as they can be discussing different topics, etc.
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
