Genesis 6-6: God’s Regret or Anthropomorphism?

Join us as host Lance Smith takes us on a riveting journey to decode Genesis 6:6, a controversial Bible verse that sparks thought-provoking discussions and interpretations. In this episode, we will explore the question, "Was God unsatisfied with what He made?" To guide our exploration, we will delve into two perspectives: 'Open Theism,' which proposes the notion of a limited God, and 'Anthropomorphism,' an engaging concept often associated with Disney animations. Are these merely different ways of interpreting God's regret over mankind's sins, or could they offer deeper insights into biblical interpretation? This episode promises a rich tapestry of theological ideas and discourse spanning centuries, from the 16th to the 21st. From the insights of 16th-century theologian John Calvin and 19th-century German theologians C.F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch, to present-day scholars like Matt Halstead and Matt Slick, we will seek answers while considering the multifaceted nature of Scripture. Did God truly regret His creation or was this an anthropomorphic projection used to describe God's relationship with sinful humanity? As we dive into the text, original Hebrew meanings, and scholarly articles, we hope to find answers that may challenge and inspire you. Are you ready to embark on this fascinating journey? Let's dive in! Note: show notes will include references for all material discussed.

References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:

 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
2. John Calvin, Genesis, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), 248-49.
3. C.F. Keil, F. Delitzsch, The Pentateuch, Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), 139-140
4. https://carm.org/about-god/does-god-repent-an-examination-of-exodus-3214-and-genesis-66/#_ftn8 
5. https://carm.org/open-theism/genesis-66-and-the-lord-was-sorry-he-had-made-man-on-the-earth/
6. https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/202001537/202001537_1.pdf
7. https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/6/Genesis-6-6.html
8. https://reasons.org/explore/publications/questions-from-social-media/does-gods-regret-that-he-made-humans-mean-he-is-indecisive
9. https://thatdankent.com/15-reasons-open-theism-is-true-a-reply-to-andrew-wilson/ 
10. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rationalanimal/2023/03/introduction-to-open-theism/