[Apologetics] Can Man judge the heart?

[Stuart D. Gathman]

Modern commentators often interpret 1 Samuel 16:7 to mean that we should 
judge peoples hearts rather than their outward actions:

http://respondinginfaith.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/do-we-judge-by-outward-appearance/

However, this passage says to me that we are *unable* to judge the heart 
because we can only see the outward appearance - barring supernatural 
revelation such as Samuel was given.  Furthermore, laws that judge the 
heart - e.g. hate-crimes - create grave injustice (be careful what books 
you buy) and put the state in the place of God.  Note that when the law 
judges intent, as in was the crime accidental or deliberate, this is not 
judging the heart.  Intent is a question of intelligent design.

Do ancient commentators have anything to say about this?  I googled 
quickly on Acquinas, but nothing has turned up yet.

-- 
 	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
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