In another thread, I was reading about “hardness of heart” of some men. I don’t understand this expression and how it relates to adultery, polygamy, etc.
Jesus says that Moses allowed the Israelites to get divorces due to the hardness of their hearts. This stemmed from a trick question from a Sadducee(?) to Jesus on who a woman is married to in heaven if she is widowed to several brothers.
In other words, the Jews in the wilderness were so hard headed, that they wouldn’t have followed Moses leadership unless he gave them a few concessions.
Some Old Testament prophecies said that Yahweh will replace their “hearts of stones”.
A habitual sin could be said to fall in that category. The first commission causes guilt feelings. You don’t get struck by lightning for it, then you do it again. Still feel guilty, but not as bad. It continues until you feel no guilt at all, which is hardness of heart.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
