I asked Dr. Hannah this very question this week. His view is that the primary purpose of these passages is to show how the situation in view is not ideal. Hannah gave the example of God being sad that he made Saul King. The point is not that God is mutable, but rather that Saul was not a good king. He said he is unwilling to give up integral donctrines for the sake of a "literalness" that causes more problems than it solves.
Dan | Homepage | 03.30.06 - 6:25 pm | #

Thanks, Dan! That does seem to be more faithful to the idea that the Bible is largely narrative, rather than a list of doctrinal propositional statements.
Mike | Homepage | 03.30.06 - 10:26 pm | #

I don't think God changes his mind. I think, rather, that he responds to change in the attitude of our hearts toward him.

Whenever I comment here I'm always afraid I'm saying something silly. And you all, who think (or study thinking) for your livings will totally notice. I decided that I'm going to accept that, and so there. :u)

So I'm sticking by what I think.....at least that's what I'll think until one of you convinces me otherwise.
Anna | Homepage | 03.30.06 - 11:42 pm | #

What do those Hebrew words mean that you posted there?
Roy | 03.31.06 - 8:51 am | #

I was going to spend a bit more time and show how they were consistently used in a number of places in reference to God and his dealings with people, but decided not to spend the time.

Thus, they are simply there to irk New Testament guys like you.
John Mark | Homepage | 03.31.06 - 9:57 am | #