Can Judas be blamed?

Was Judas lacking in free will? Was Judas really predestined to betray his Lord? Or was Jesus of Nazareth surely moving in time toward a date and place where he would offer himself up as a sinless sacrifice of atonement no matter who would play the prophetic role of his betrayer?

renniks said:

Of course he could. God's plan didn't rely on Judas.

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We are in agreement. It relied on God's will.

disciple Clint said:

So that makes God responsible for all of the evil that happens, think it over.
Man in his free will would have no responsibility for his own actions.

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Man is born condemned (Romans 5:18), his free will has nothing to do with that, nor does it alter that.

adderbolt said:

Was Judas lacking in free will? Was Judas really predestined to betray his Lord? Or was Jesus of Nazareth surely moving in time toward a date and place where he would offer himself up as a sinless sacrifice of atonement
no matter who would play the prophetic role of his betrayer?

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"They prayed: 'Sovereign Lord, . . .

They did what your power and will decided beforehand should happen.' "
(Acts 4:24, 28)

"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge (determination)."
(Acts 2:23)

adderbolt said:

Was Judas lacking in free will? Was Judas really predestined to betray his Lord? Or was Jesus of Nazareth surely moving in time toward a date and place where he would offer himself up as a sinless sacrifice of atonement no matter who would play the prophetic role of his betrayer?

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Exactly.

Clare73 said:

Man is born condemned (Romans 5:18), his free will has nothing to do with that, nor does it alter that.

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Every man has the free will option to seek God. Otherwise, he would not be without excuse, he would have the perfect excuse for not seeking and not finding salvation.

rturner76 said:

Here it says "Satan entered into him." Jesus actually told Satan to do his work, not Judas. It seems Judas was possessed no?

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There is a type of possession known as a perfect possession. There are no external manifestation to indicate that it has taken place. There is no internal conflict because the personalities and wills of human and demon are united. I believe in imitation of Jesus being the image of the Father, likewise Judas is an image of satan. When Satan spoke through Peter Jesus called him out by name. When Satan entered Judas Jesus addressed Judas/Satan as you.
Judas could have approached his fellow apostles and been forgiven and added a great life to Scriptures.
Predestined doesn't mean predetermined.

renniks said:

Every man has the free will option to seek God. Otherwise, he would not be without excuse, he would have the perfect excuse for not seeking and not finding salvation.

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He is without excuse for suppressing the truth about God, revealed in the creation order, by his wickedness, failing to glorify God and give thanks to him. (Romans 1:18-20)

He is not "without excuse" for failing to believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ,
he is "without the remedy" (salvation) for his condemnation.

God's condemnation is not about incurring guilt (man is born already condemned by Adam's sin--Romans 5:18),
nor is it about leaving him "without excuse". . .he is born there,
it's about failing to obtain the remedy for his situation.

rturner76 said:

John 13:27~ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly."

Here it says "Satan entered into him." Jesus actually told Satan to do his work, not Judas. It seems Judas was possessed no?

Controversial to excuse him but I'm just throwing out the possibility that Judas was not in control of his body at the time.

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Satan entered him twice. The first time was to make the deal with the chief priests.

Luke 22
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give
him money.

Looks like Satan acted on Judas' desire to betray Jesus when the time was ripe. Looks like Judas got some guidance to do it exactly like Satan wanted it done.

His decision to betray opened the door and the ultimate betrayal eating the bread dipped in wine. Satan entered to initiate the betrayal and to complete it. Judas didn't change his mind in the meantime.

If God knows everything that was, is and will be, He would have known it would happen before anything even existed.

High Fidelity said:

If God knows everything that was, is and will be,
He would have known it would happen before anything even existed.

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He ordained it to happen before anything even existed.

Clare73 said:

He is without excuse for suppressing the truth about God, revealed in the creation order, by his wickedness, failing to glorify God and give thanks to him. (Romans 1:18-20)

He is not "without excuse" for failing to believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ,
he is "without the remedy" (salvation) for his condemnation.

God's condemnation is not about incurring guilt (man is born already condemned by Adam's sin--Romans 5:18),
nor is it about leaving him "without excuse". . .he is born there,
it's about failing to obtain the remedy for his situation.

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Lol, which he can never do if he has no free will.

Clare73 said:

He ordained it to happen before anything even existed.

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Ordained what to happen?

renniks said:

Lol, which he can never do if he has no free will.

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It's not lack of free will, it's lack of disposition, lack of wanting, lack of believing. . .he is doing exactly what he wants in this regard. . .unbelief.

renniks said:

Ordained what to happen?

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That which did happen.

Clare73 said:

That which did happen.

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Everything?

renniks said:

Everything?

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Don't like open-ended questions, but all things being equal, I would say yes.

How can God not want anyone to perish yet ordain that they do?

Eloy Craft said:

How can God not want anyone to perish and ordain that they do?

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Well, the Word of God does not contradict itself, so we know we've got something wrong here.

In light of the whole counsel of God, we know that "God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden." (Romans 9:18)

2 Peter 3:9 - Since Peter is writing a letter to Christians, answering a question of Christians, which is about Christians; i.e., scoffers were mocking the second coming of Jesus Christ because it had not happened (3:3-4), and the Christians were wondering why.

Paul's answer to the Christians' question is that God is patient with us (the elect) because he does not want anyone (of us, the elect) to perish, but is giving them time to come to repentance.

So understood in the light of the whole counsel of God, there is no contradiction here.