Inquiry:
Are we all God’s children? Some verses say yes [this may apply to Jews and/or Christians only] (Deuteronomy 14:1; Psalm 82:6; Hosea 1:10; Matthew 5:48; 6:9; John 20:17; Acts 17:29). Other texts say only certain people are God’s children and that everyone else is a child of the devil (John 1:12; 8:41-44; Acts 13:8-10; Romans 8:14; 9:8; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:5; 2:3; 1 John 3:8-10). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
The questioner suggested the first list may be just about Jews or Christians. He is correct. All the texts listed, not just in the first but also the second list, are about people of faith, except for Acts 17:29. A child of God believes in Jesus Christ, has been adopted by the Lord, has received the promise of God, has turned from sin, and is led by the Spirit. Those who do not believe in Jesus, who fulfill the lusts of the flesh or are sorcerers are identified as children of the devil and of wrath. The questioner may not like this, but it is no contradiction.
In the original question, which we do not have room to post verbatim, the questioner inferred that the phrase “sons of God” used in some texts infers that only men can be the children of God. The Greek uiov is used, which does not denote gender but relationship; it is rendered as ‘child’ elsewhere in the Bible.
What of Acts 17:29? The word offspring in the text is from the Greek γένος. This word is nowhere else in the lists given. Paul borrowed a phrase from Grecian poetry to establish common ground with his hearers. Even their own poets acknowledged that man could have a relationship with God (or the gods). On this basis, he plead with them about Jehovah God.
There is no contradiction.
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