Results 81 - 100 of 114
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Results from: Notes Author: Curtnsally Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32303 | ||
Thanks for you response, but consider this... The Muslim (and I suppose Jews for that matter)would love your answer... they think Christians are polytheists, and would use this Scripture to say "see your Bible supports our position... there is only one God". They have a tough time with the concept of the Trinity, "three in one". Muslims see Isa (Jesus) as a prophet, not God. Cheers Curt |
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82 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32305 | ||
Thanks! Excellent use of scripture, and particularly strong for the Muslim, as they believe Jesus to be a prophet. John 14:6 is also strong, as it is Jesus himself speaking. In light of current events, it is important, I think, to have a clear understanding of these things so we can make a case for the Gospel when the opportunity arises. Cheers Curt |
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83 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32307 | ||
Thanks! I often debate Islamic college students on the web at ummah.com. They have an Islamic chat forum. Its a lot of fun, though fruit is in short supply. I often download Scripture from BibleGateway and convert it to arabic before throwing it on the chat window. They can never figure out how I do this, and I get a few chuckles out of it, but mostly hope I am planting seeds. I'll have a look at the site you recommended, and see if I can use some material for my online escapades. Cheers Curt |
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84 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32311 | ||
Thanks again! I saw Josh McDowell at a Young Life weekend retreat in 1972 (when he and I were a lot younger)... he was a major influence in my decision for Christ. I still have my original "Evidence" that I got that weekend, and have worn it out. I also have the "More Evidence" book, and have used it likewise. While we're on book reviews, one that is current that I highly recommend is "The New Reformation" by Greg Ogden (Head of the DMin program at Fuller seminary). The thesis is this: now is the time for the completion of the Reformation started by Martin Luther... "all Christians are gifted, empowered and called to ministry by the Holy Spirit". I believe this book could be the foreward to a real reawakening as churches take this message to heart. I am well aware this has been said many times before, but having seen real change through the Holy Spirit in my own church in the past few years, I am very encouraged (you have to understand I am in a PCUSA Presbyterian church... not exactly the first denomination that comes to mind when you think of Holy Spirt fired churches). Yet our church is on fire and really seeing fruit, primarily based on Ogden's New Reformation concept (which isn't really new... just Biblical principals applied in the current setting). Anyway, if you haven't seen it, check it out... its really good stuff! Cheers, Curt |
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85 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32312 | ||
Thanks... If you look up verses on BibleGateway.com ... once the verse comes up, there are languages listed at the top of the page. By clicking on the language, it will convert the verse to the language you selected. In arabic, it actually converts it to arabic alphabet and all. Pretty amazing! What fun is how fast you can do it during an online chat setting. Someone can ask a question and within a minute I can look up a verse convert it to arabic, clip it and paste it into the chat window. It gets their attention. By the way, I also use an online searchable Koran and will find relevant verses to support Christian principals. For example, the Koran says: [2.87] And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew. (FYI, Musa is Moses, Isa is Jesus, and Marium is Mary) I follow that with... Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. In Arabic (if it works here) ÝóÃóÌóÇÈóåõ íóÓõæÚõ: «ÃóäóÇ åõæó ÇáØøóÑöíÞõ æóÇáúÍóÞøõ æóÇáúÍóíóÇÉõ. áÇó íóÃúÊöí ÃóÍóÏñ Åöáóì ÇáÂÈö ÅöáÇøó Èöí Then I ask... If jesus (Isa) was a prophet, and He claimed to be God... why don't you believe Him? Makes for a lively discussion on the Islamic chat line! I, too, love all people and enjoy sticking my neck out when the Spirit leads. Cheers, Curt |
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86 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32313 | ||
Couldn't agree more. I often postulate to Muslims... if God is God (which they believe very strongly) and He wanted to manifest Himself in three ways, could He? They can't say no, otherwise they would make God out to be less than God. At that point they can't argue the theology of the Trinity, only the source of information... and we win that battle (one guy's word -- Muhammed -- against 6000 years of theological harmony in Scripture). Grace to you as well! Curt |
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87 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32343 | ||
Interesting history, some of which I knew... some not. While it is clear to believing Christians that the god of islam is not the God of the Bible, I think we need to learn more of the things you have pointed out to be able to provide clear answers as we proclaim the Good News. Thanks! Curt |
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88 | One God, many faiths? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 32347 | ||
I had forgotten that... thanks for the reminder Tim! Blessings, Curt |
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89 | Does Christ stand alone for salvation?? | Acts 4:12 | Curtnsally | 34367 | ||
Greetings WAK I have read many of your posts, with disagreement over some... but I wanted to tell you that this post is the best I've seen. It embodies the struggle that many of us have "living in the world but being not of the world". I am a product of the 60s-70s and have spent 20 years trying to re-program and orient toward a life of holiness. This with mixed success for sure. To your original question... you asked about the salvation of folks who: - have faith in Jesus's salvation (grace) thru the cross -do some nice things for others (WORKS) - live somewhat better moral lives than their neighbor because of their faith - don't read the Bible, but trust in the main 3 or 4 messages - talk to Jesus (pray) usually only if something is very good or very bad. My first thought is that it is very risky to predict the salvation of others... I really think we need to let God decide that. If we want to look for clues for our own life, I turn toward verses like this: Matthew 7 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." I ask myself, am I bearing fruit? Am I doing the "will of the Father"? Can I know the will of the Father if I don't read His Word? Can I know the will of the Father if I don't talk to Him in prayer? Can I know the will of the Father if I am not in fellowship with others who are seeking to do the same? I agree that "image" is the golden calf of our time, and often just as much so in the church as outside. Does God care whether we wear a suit or a teeshirt to church? I doubt it. He does care whether we bear fruit. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." A significant help in my own life has been the "iron" of other Christians sharpening me, teaching me how to find and live in God's will. Ultimately, the spiritual battle boils down to this, "my will or God's will?". This is not very popular in modern American culture (or any culture for that matter). Christians need to sharpen each other so that we glorify God who has provided us the ultimate gift ... salvation. Blessings Curt |
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90 | Geography of the Forum! | Acts 21:39 | Curtnsally | 34447 | ||
I live on the north side of town in Lutherville. I have business operations on the east side of town not far from Patterson Park, and lot of folks who work with me live in that area. We also have a warehouse next to Beth Steel, which is really suffering right now... I'm sorry to say. Until they (the govt) do something about steel imports, Beth will have a tough time of it. Baltimore is a great town and we love living here. The politics are pretty weird, but other than that its a great place to raise kids. With Washington right down the road, we can shoot down to the Smithsonian on Sunday afternoons, or tour the monuments. And we don't have to live in DC! Weekends crabbing on the Chesapeake... can't beat it! Blessings Curt |
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91 | Geography of the Forum! | Acts 21:39 | Curtnsally | 34493 | ||
Hi Norrie - Update: Beth Ship yard was sold a few years back, and has actually been doing ok on a very small scale. Beth Steel is in Chapter 11, but contnuing to operate. Unions and benefits were a large part of the problem, but subsidized steel from overseas is a big part of the problem as well. We destroyed most of the steel-making capability of Germany and Japan in WW II, and then helped them build more efficient plants afterward. This put us at a competitive disadvantage. In recent years, the former Soviet bloc countries have been selling every natural resource they possess to gain hard currency. This includes lumber, steel, aluminum and similar goods. I see this because I am in the logistics business, and we unload ship after ship of these goods. The reality is that US labor will not work for a wage as low as third world countries. In the past, our superior efficiency helped bridge that gap, but as other countries develop efficient manufacturing capabilities, the demand for low cost goods drives the production of those goods off shore. The US has become primarily a marketeer for products made overseas, and is also a large consuming market of those goods. Unions, particularly in Maryland, are still shooting themselves in the foot and driving manufacturing away from this state. I know exactly where you are talking about in Patterson Park. The high side of the park has a great view from ground level and I'm sure its even better from a second story window. Blessings Curt |
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92 | Geography of the Forum! | Acts 21:39 | Curtnsally | 34494 | ||
Hank - Can you pull the string tighter... your last post was a little garbled! :-) Cheers Curt |
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93 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 33322 | ||
Brother Robert I'm not sure that I generally disagree with your theology, but I want to make you think about your argument for it. You said, "I do not believe that the scripture supports salvation which is dependent upon works" No debate here based on Ephesians 2:8-9. Then you said, "The Lord Jesus made many positive statements which assures us that upon receiving or trusting him "we have eternal life". Isn't that theology dependent on works... ie, WE have to "receive and trust" Him in order to be saved? Isn't that something WE do? Ephesians 2:-9 says that we are saved by grace through faith... and this is not of ourselves... thus, even our faith is a gift from God. Romans 3:11 says that no one seeks for God. If these things are so, then we have eternal life purely as a gift from God, not of our own works. More to the original point, in Matthew 13 (the parable of the sower) tells us 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. So Jesus is saying that it is possible to hear God's word and RECEIVE it, and yet fall away. Now I realize that we could debate whether the man was really saved. I would postulate that your John 3:16 defense is based on the notion that if I trust God at some point, I will always trust God. This may be true, but I don't think John 3:16 says this. Matthew 13:20-21 seems to refute this. And just to muddy the water a little more: 2 Thessalonians 2 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God CHOSE you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. John 10:27-30 says that the sheep cannot be snatched from the shepherd's hand, and that the sheep are given to the shepherd by his father. Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." Mark 13 19 "For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the ELECT, whom He CHOSE, He shortened the days. John 15 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I CHOSE you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Ephesians 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For He CHOSE us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He PREDESTINED us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will-- I don't bring these verses up to be obnoxious. I truly struggle with the notion of God choosing us, yet Scripture is full of this concept. God chooses to save whom he will, as in Abraham, Noah, the OT Jews, up through the disciples, Paul and you and me apparently. This is relevant to the original point because, if God chooses us, can we unchoose God? A lot to ponder. In Him Curt |
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94 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 33393 | ||
An excellent response! With such a lengthy and thoughtful exposition, I bet you thought I would thank you and move on. Well, I do feel a little hesitant asking another series of questions, but no one ever accused me of shyness. Tell me to get lost if you want, but here goes! Outside of God's grace, is there anyone worthy of salvation? (I assume you agree the answer is "no") So God, in His infinite justice could opt to save no one and still be just. (agree or disagree?) It is only out of God's love and mercy that He saves anyone. (agree/disagree?) He could choose to save some and not others? (yes/no?) This would be just? Does the parable in Matthew 20:1-15 address this? What are the implications of this Scripture in terms of the "doctrine of election"? Are all elect or just some... are all chosen or just some? Are all predestined... etc? Does God choose, then we choose? Or does God just choose? Thoughts? That I might not be deemed lazy, I will attempt to postulate answers to these questions myself but wanted to hear your view first. I will hint that I believe God predestined us, He calls us, and that even our response to Him is the result of His grace... that we could not respond affirmatively if He had not opened our eyes and prepared our hearts. PS, would it surprise you to know I am Presbyterian? ... lol. My purpose is not, however, to win converts to Calvinism, (Lord knows, I am not the guy to do that!) but to debate with other respected Christians to gain an increased understanding of Scripture. Thanks for your insight! Curt |
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95 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 33406 | ||
I agree with most of what you have said. Let me respond to a couple... (and please understand that I don't necessarily hold all of these as personal beliefs, but I am postulating for the sake of debate): You: "The commission of our saviour in Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." is still valid today. Even a Calvinist cannot pick out those who are chosen and those who are not." Me: I agree that God has invited us to be part of His purposes. This alone does not deny that the people we encounter may be part of the "elect". You are right, we can't pick out the elect, thus we are called to go to the ends of the earth spreading the Gospel. But this doesn't mean that God doesn't have them picked out. You: "I understand the theory of 5 point Calvinism. I have difficulty reconciling this theory with free choice." Me: While free choice seems right to us, I can find many more Scriptures regarding "the elect, predestined, chosen" etc than I can on "free will". You: "However, he will not go back on his word now." Me: I agree, God doesn't go back on His word. In fact, listen to the Scripture: Romans 11 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." 28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. This seems to say that, in spite of the hardness of Israel, God will save them because He promised... they were numbered among the elect based on God's promise alone... seemingly in spite of their bad free-will choice. And then there is this... Romans 9 9 For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." 10 Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. (A very interesting verse!): 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls--she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13 Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. This seems to say that salvation is based solely on God's sovereignty, not our actions. Or this... Romans 8 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. This seems to say that even what is in our heart comes from the Spirit and, without the intercession of the Spirit, we would be lost. I understand and struggle as you do with the "robot problem". But I also want to submit myself to God's sovereignty. In the final analysis, it is His way, not the way I wish it was (whether elect or free will). Finally, I don't think that the Great Commission and election are necessarily mutually exclusive. God can use us to accomplish His purposes, even if His purposes are pre-known to Him. Otherwise, I think I'll let those verses stand on their own for a while. Blessings! Curt |
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96 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 33428 | ||
Thanks Robert for your patience and time. I am not sure I can agree with the dispensation view, but you have done it justice. For now, in my feeble brain, it remains juxtaposed with the predestination view which is obviously a struggle as well. There is likely truth in both views, and this is what I have been seeking to understand. Not there yet! What I do know is that God has provided a means of salvation for you and me. The Glory belongs to Him, whether or not we understand the how and why. Amen? Amen! Blessings Curt |
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97 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 33500 | ||
Tim Thanks for the info! Fyi, I opened a thread with the header "Thoughts on Romans 9". Ben (benjamite) and I wanted to discuss the concepts of election and free will. He is seminary trained, and I wanted to get feedback at that level. I know this is a hot topic, but Ben and I have agreed to try and keep the fray civil among all respondents. (I wish there were a way in this forum to have limited group discussions, but dont see how). Anyway, I've read a number of your posts and have appreciated your comments. I thought you might want to join us on this discussion. Any interest? Blessings Curt |
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98 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 34178 | ||
Where does it say in John 15 that they are still in Him? It says that some are pruned, and some are cut off. The pruned ones stay in Him, and bear fruit. The cut off ones disappear from the text. Thoughts? Curt |
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99 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 34307 | ||
Hi Zach Sorry... I misunderstood you. In Romans 11, Paul is talking to gentiles about the covenant with the Jewish people. Thus, one would think he is talking about national Israel being cut off and the gentiles being grafted in. John 15 is less clear to me, but seems similar. Is Jesus condemning the Jews (as a group) for their unbelief? I think so, but with the caveat that this is given as a warning to all people. The question is... does the warning apply to only people groups, or also to individual salvation. I tend to believe the former. I base this on Paul's text, which is clearly speaking of people groups. I also think the metaphor of a tree with branches is more likely representative of people groups than individuals. In John 15, Jesus is laying out large principles about God, the Kingdom, and those who would be followers of Him. It is difficult to discern whether He means individuals or groups, or perhaps even both. Maybe verse 16 gives us a clue: 16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." Were the ones who did not bear fruit not chosen? :-) Blessings Cur† |
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100 | cut off | Rom 11:22 | Curtnsally | 34326 | ||
Zach Just so I am clear... are you saying that this reading means one can be saved and then lose salvation individually? If so, how do you view the following: Matthew 10 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. John 10 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. Blessings Cur† |
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