Results 1341 - 1360 of 1459
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Results from: Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1341 | Salvation is of the Lord... | 1 John 1:1 | John Reformed | 61364 | ||
Dear GJH, I believe that JRdoc gave you good and Godly counsel. I will remember you in prayer and ask God to grant you His blessed assurance. You may also take comfort in the fact that all christians, to one extent or another, battle unbelief and doubt. I know I have and I have been a christian, Praise God, for many years and still my faith is challenged! Sometimes I think it is my old dead carnal nature that rises up to plague me. At other times I am almost certain it is an attack by the devil. The Bible tells us that we WILL have trials and tribulations! What are we to do when these thoughts and our own sinfulness along with the devil (the accuser of the brethrn) conspire to defeat us? Go to prayer beseeching God's help and Go to his promises found in his Word. A great saint of God, John Bunyon, wrote a book while he was in prison for preaching the gospel. This book is "Pilgrims Progress". It is an allegorical tale of the trials of a man called Christian. I think that brother JRdoc would not object to your reading this particular book. In the story Christian learns from Evangelist that he is destined for destruction unless he flees from his wicked city to the "light" that appears in the far distance. Out of fear and desperation he heeds the warning and starts off at a brisk pace toward the light. But are hero runs into trouble almost immediately, for in his haste he takes his eye off the light and falls into an awful swamp. The Swamp of Despair.(can you identify with his problem?) Well here he is, sinking deeper and deeper under the filthy muck of sin, guilt and doubt. Is this the end for our despairing friend? NO! God has sent a helper to him who reaches in and pulls him out. Praise the Lord!!! The Helper tell Christian that he could have gotton out by simply moving to the steps that have been built into the side of the swamp! He explains that those steps are called "The Promises of God". So dear friend you are experiencing something that is not unique, but rather is common to all pilgrims. Place your hope not in your faith, but in the One who is the Author AND Finisher of that faith Jesus Christ. Sleep well tonight. You may find "Pilgrims Progress" on the net at http://www.ccel.org/b/bunyan/progress/title.html Your Brother John |
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1342 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38209 | ||
Hi Tim, I don't know if this is "kosher" but I have been reviewing some of your past posts and have been impressed with your knowledge and erudition. However, I still think your wrong regarding who chooses whom (is that correct or shoult the object be who?). I wouldlike to ask you a classic question posed most oftenly by pagans: "What about the native in Africa who never even heard of Christ? What chance did that poor guy have?" I know calvinist answer. What saith the arminian? John |
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1343 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38288 | ||
Dear Tim, Thanks for your reply. But to be honest with you, I can't buy your answer. For the following reasons: 1. (Rom 1:20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Clearly, in this chapter Paul is speaking to the unregenerated nature of the sons of Adam. I'm certain you have read and understood the dire implications for the man who is outside of Christ. 2. (Rom 10:14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? I have not taken these 2 verses out of context. Frankly, nothing annoys me more than that kind of sloppiness in handling The Word of God. I have been guilty of it myself, and am ashamed that I have done so. God willing, I shall not do it again. Your Friend and Brother, John |
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1344 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38389 | ||
Dear Tim, You said: "I doubt any of us would say that everyone in the Old Testament was lost because they never heard a preacher." I actually asked about people who had never heard of the Gospel or Jesus. Nevertheless, lets include all the pagan tribes, not only mentioned in the OT but in the entire Kosmos (see 1.) Then the nation of Israel (see 2.) I.) Pagans: (Rom 10:14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" (2. (Gal 3:7) Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The OT Nation of Israel had preachers galore. Most never entered into God's Rest. Only those of the promise. And they through faith. Tim M.: "I'm not claiming that it would be a common occurance, " (Rom 3:10-18) as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE. THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING, THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS; WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS; THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN. THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES." "NOT EVEN ONE" seems to indicate no one, nobody, zip, zilch, zero.( Paul sounds as if he is espousing the doctrine of Total Depravity.) Tim M: " I do believe that someone who honestly seeks God will be found by God...". (Rom 3:11) "THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD". (Strongs)None: a primary word, the absolute negative "The key word here though is found "by" God." (Luke 19:8-10) Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham". For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Notice: Jesus did not say "because he, too has become a son of Abraham. As you can see the scriptures give no hope to the the one who has never heard the Gospel. Of what benefit is free will to one whose only desire is evil continually? If God had dedesired the salvation of all men, why have_ all men_ not had the opportunity to be saved? If arminians cannot offer scriptual answers to questions such as these, they show the bankruptcy of "Free will choice in salvation". I was an arminian for 20 years. It was very difficult for me to accept God's absolute rule over His ceation. But, in the end my soulish wisdom had to bow to God's divine wisdom. I took shelter in His attributes and in His promises. He is just. He is love. His plan is perfect, and when we stand before His throne His elect will rejoice in all His works He has done. Brother John |
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1345 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38411 | ||
Dear Tim, You know as well as I, that the reformed apologists can answer any and all challenges the arminians put forth. You, in turn will either agree or disagree. I would be happy to provide my exegesis to the aforementioned verses, if that is what you truly desire. But first tell me how you would answer an unbeliever (from scripture , please!) as to those questions I posed to you at the end of my last post. I know you would agree, that Human Reason finds it's place in the service of the Word. Not the other way around. God Bless You Tim, John |
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1346 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38444 | ||
Dear Tim, I wonder at myself. What is my motivation for spending so much time and effort in defending what I believe to be the truth? Is it merely a carnal desire to triumph over an opponent? I pray that it is not. I justify my stubborn persistance by telling myself that my only goal is to glorify God. That His Word is true and that it is worth fighting for. Being a sinner, I must confess my less than perfect performance. I'm an incurable romantic. My favorite author (next to God) is John Bunyan. Have you read Pilgrim's Progress? A wonderfully insightful book. I'sure you have must read it. My favorite preacher is C.H. Sprurgeon. I love Martin Luther for his bombastic yet beautiful speech (not surpisingly, I highly recommend his "Bondage of the Will".) My favorite Hymns are "Rock of Ages Cleft for Me" and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God". When I engage in a hotly debated doctrine, I see myself as a warrior taking the field of battle in the service of my King. I have my orders and my mission is clear; Fight for and defend His truth and bring to Him the spoils of the victory, The Glory that is His alone. The very idea of His sharing His glory with man is , to my mind, anathema. The doctrine of "free will choice" implies that God does everything He can to pursuade man to turn from his rebellion and to surrender to Christ. But man has the power to thwart God's best efforts. Rebellious humanity triumphing over their King! The King can only stand by and weep. No, No, No! Do you really believe That God almighty does not possess the wherewithal to overcome the stubborn rebellion of mere man? Or maybe He withholds His might to make it a fair fight? If so He does them an injustice by doing so. I have been disappointed with some other of my brethren on this forum. They take the field and fight valiantly for a season, but when the contest gets to hot, they flee, shouting over their shoulders: " We are tired of this contest, when will it end! Your opinions are not welcome! We desire peace and quiet!". In the world to come we saints will speak joyfully of God's magnificent plan. It's perfection, beauty , justice, mercy and power. Why should we grow weary now, in this world? I will try not to trouble you with those particular questions again, but, I will continue to wonder at your refusal to answer them. PS. If it's any consolation, I'm also a burr under the saddle to many a reformed brother. Pray for me. Your Brother in Christ, John Reformed |
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1347 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38516 | ||
Dear Tim, Your reponse implies that both you and I are intractable. Two guys that have their minds made up and that's that. I admit to being a stubborn person, however I am no match for the Holy Spirit! I've always been a person with strongly held convictions and have been skeptical (to put it mildly) about views in opposition to my own. That is, in part, why I hold to God's Soverign Grace vs Free Will. I was raised Roman Catholic; Abandoned catholisim at the age of 12. Lived for the devil til I was 30; Became a Diest and created a god as I understood him. At the age of 35 a friend of my father's presented the Gospel to me one sunny day beside a lake. I was impressed with his knowledge of the Bible, but unimpressed with his claim concerning Christ. I enjoyed the conversation but felt no compulsion to place myself under the authority of organized religion. That same afternoon, in the privacy of my bedroom, I asked Jesus to be my saviour! For years afterward, I felt that I had made a decision (or choice, if you prefer) to accept Christ as my Lord. I just was'nt to clear on how I had arrived at it. How did such a radical change in my thinking take place? I don't recall having weighed the arguements, or evaluated the benefits. Faith just seemed to have happend (Of course, now I know "faith comes from hearing the word of Christ"). Halleluia! Jesus is Lord!!! I could'nt wait to tell the Gospel to everyone. Family, friends and strangers alike. I was on fire for Jesus, I was filled with joy just anticipating their happy reception of the Good News. You've probablly been there and done that yourself. I was flabbergasted by their pitying looks and their warnings about my "reigious notions". It reminds me of Christian's reception by his family and frinds in "The Pilgrim's Progress". At any rate I was dumbfounded. Why me, when so many others deseved this blessing far more than I did? In fact most Christians I know believe that Christ just overwhelmed them. They give no credit to themselves. Tim, I bet (that is if, I was a betting man) that you feel exactly the same way. Don't you? I know that personal testimony and annecdotal evidence is not definitive proof. It is subjective and fallible. We have worn a hole in our mousepads copying and pasting scripture to one another. But rememember the Samaritan women at the well? What did she do (God bless her heart)? John 4:39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." If you do not wish to pursue our dicussion to the end, I would not hold it against you. But I would be disappointed. I presented you with a pair of questions that at one time I could not answer scriptualy (at least not from an arminian perspective). That does not mean that you can't answer them. Does it? God Bless Tim, Your Brother John |
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1348 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38611 | ||
Goood Morning Tim, "Calvinism seems to hold that if anyone is capable of exercising free will, then God is diminished somehow". I understand arminianism because I was instructed from it for almost 20 years. However, from your above statement I see I have made a fundamental error in assuming that you were familiar with the calvinistic position. It is as follows: (The Westminster Confession of Faith) 1. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. God does not violate the will of his creatures. He graciously calls those He has chosen, and the rest are left to follow the dictates of their own corrupt desires. Is God injust? Not according to the Bible. Acts 4:27,28: "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur." Did the wicked act according to free will? Yes. Did God predestine these evil acts? Yes. Is God then the author of evil? No. Why is'nt He? For the reason that evil men acted according to their own evil desires. Even the devil is God's devil. Whatever evil the devil does, God means it for good. God's purpose is His eternal purpose. He does'nt peer down the corridors of time to determine what He should do. He does not react to unforseen circumstances and then adjust or change His plan. His ways are not our ways! I have to go plough my field. I'll continue my rant later. God Bless Tim, John |
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1349 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38724 | ||
Tim, I may have to aswer you one question at a time, because of the demands on my time. 1). "The first question hinges on a Calvinistic understanding of Total Depravity. Arminians believe in Total Depravity, we just don't make the jump that 'dead' in sin means unable to respond. Eph 2:1-3 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Rom 8:6,7 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so". Rom 5:12 'Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned". There are many other verses that support the total inability of man to will that which is pleasing to God. You will also note the the verses I chose are didactic. The meaning does not need to be deduced. they are clear in themselves. I say this in love: Who is the one doing the leaping? May Our Discourse Bring Praise to Our King. Your Brother John |
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1350 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38768 | ||
Dear Tim, Eph 2:1-3 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Rom 8:6,7 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so" If you are not persuaded by these verses, I am at a loss to know what verses will persuade you. Being a good calvinist, I am absolutely certain that God has predestined all things (eph 3:11). In the plan of God all things work together for the good of the believer (RO 8:28). He not only has preordained the good works that His children perform, but even the evil men do and the evil the devil does are part of His plan. At the same time He is not the author of sin or does He force men to do His will. Christians fulfill good works because of their love of Christ. Wicked men and Satan fulfill his plan because they hate Him.(Acts 4:26,27). I am comforted by my belief that if God wants to turn you into calvinist He will.(Im smiling) All I have said has been in happy christian fellowship. I have grown fond of you. I am sure that if we were neighbors we would spend many enjoyable hours discussing the wonders of our God. PS. If brother Giesler is a REAL calvinist, I'll eat my hat!!(I'm frowning) Your Affectionate Brother, John Adams |
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1351 | Receive? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 38917 | ||
Dear Tim, I did'nt have time to respond fully to this post and I hope you don't think I'm trying to resurrect my question about those who never have heard the Gospel. Your verses (a-i) have no relavency (at least none that I can fathom) to The first part of my question: "What about the native in Africa who never even heard of Christ?". Your answer lists a)Rebekah b)Jethro c)Asa, The tribes of Judah and Benjamin d)Jehoshaphat (who in this verse is commended for not seeking the Baals)etc. etc. I know you have been busy and have grown weary of the topic. But Tim, the proof texts you offered have proved nothing relative to my question! I know, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you cannot offer any scriptual proof in response to what happens to those who never heard the Gospel. I'm as sure of it as I am sure that Dr. Giesler is an arminian! (I'm not being mean, I'm just being emphatic). The promise is to Abraham and His seed. Not to the fleshy seed but to the spiritual seed. Not to Ishmael but to Iassac; Not to Esau but to Jacob; Not to National Israel but to the Remnant; Not to the entire world but to those who believe, Not to the reprobate but to the elect. I see the Bible as God's revelation to His chosen people. In it we find who made the universe, why it was made, who we are, what we are, where we are going and who we are and in what manner we are to worship. In it He has graciouly disclosed to us His eternal purpose. How we have been His for all eternity. We were chosen in Christ from before the founding of the world. God does not peer into the future to find out who (if any) will take up His offer! He knows the beginning from the end and He knows it certainly, because He predetermined every thing that has and will, for all eternity, take place. I truly believe that a comprehensive appreciation of the nature and attributes of God are indispensible to rightly divide His Word. If I'm not tickled pink with everything that God has done, tough! I brief reflection on His Holiness and my filthiness, will soon enough send me to my knees asking forgiveness for my lack of trust in His righteous judgements. There is much more I could say, but if you do not want to hear it, I'll buton my lips (lot'sa folks wish I had a button on my lips for real). Maybe they have a point? But they'll have to prove it from scripture. Your Brother John |
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1352 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101099 | ||
Hi Ed, I don't believe that anyone (without certain exceptions; Infants, severely hanicapped etc.) does not truly believe in a Creator. If they really did'nt believe they would have an excuse before God. Paul utterly demolishes the concept of "true" atheist. Rom 1:20-23 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, I think that science, logic and philosophy are good tools for the apologist, but not the evangelist. His tool is the Gospel. I try to stick with what the Bible says about the hopeless situation the fallen man is in... and then tell him the "Good News"! Perhaps God will grant the person repentance. 2 Tim 2:25,26 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. If the person brings up the topic of atheistic evolution, I take him to romans and tell him what it says about what he is really doing... suppressing the truth in unrighteousness. We are saved by grace not reason. May God bless your presentation of the gospel to those whom He sends your way. John |
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1353 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101141 | ||
Dear Ed, I meant no offense. My post was simply an attempt to share with you my observation of what the Bible says about the condition of fallen man. We are on the same side...Aren't we? John |
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1354 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101146 | ||
Hi George, The Word is awesome! In a few brief sentences it cuts away all the phony excuses. 1 Thess 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. POWER! That's what I pray for when I tell someone about Jesus...God's power at work, changing hearts and minds, before my very eyes. It makes one want to take his shoes off and worship Him! Many people try to avoid hearing gospel altogether. Instead they raise objections meant to divert us from our mission by taking us down "bunny trails" that never end. The next thing you know hours have gone by and the gospel still has not been shared. Others raise objections because they are truly interested in having their questions answered. Nevertheless, for whatever reason the objections are raised, the answers should be from the Bible itself. John |
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1355 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101152 | ||
All I know Ed is that which has been revealed to me in the Bible. Thats all that anyone of us knows. I make no private claim to wisdom or knowledge. I see no need to read into my posts hidden meanings, as if my purpose was to disparage Billy Graham or anyone else. You read the verses I cited. What do they say about man's so-called ignorance concerning his Creator? They say man is not ignorant; that his claim of ignorance is a fraud! You said "I saw that reference summarily dismissed as something a “real” evangelist wouldn’t need, even though I have heard Billy Graham reference items from the book more than a few times." I would have appreciated your comment on whether I rightly divided the Word, rather than jumping to un-warrented assumtions. Paul says (in no uncertain terms) that they are liars! That they know the truth already but wickedly suppress it. What makes anyone think that human wisdom can do anything to change their minds or hearts? Reason has no power in itself when one is dealing with a person who is bent on refuting every point you want to make. Been there, done that. Let's just be obediant in giving them the gospel and leave the philosophizing to the philosphers. John |
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1356 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101153 | ||
I don't believe that human nature is any different today than it has been since the Fall. The lies of Satan and the foolishness of our post-modern culture are no match for the gospel of Christ. Those who do not believe, do not, for they are condemned already(John 3:18). |
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1357 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101161 | ||
Dear Ed, I am happy to say that I agree with much of what you have said. In my zeal for the gospel, I, pehaps, have given the impression that reason and science have no place at all. That was not the point which I wanteded to convey. They have their place to be sure! But as you said their place is to give us "the entrance to share the Gospel." Now we are singing from the same hymn book! The question I was answering was "If someone does not accept the Bible as God's word, then tell how you would convince them there is a Creator?" My response was "I don't believe that anyone (without certain exceptions; Infants, severely hanicapped etc.) does not truly believe in a Creator. If they really did'nt believe they would have an excuse before God." I take it, we agree up to this point. Right? My next remark was probably the one that you dis-ageed with. I said "I think that science, logic and philosophy are good tools for the apologist, but not the evangelist. His tool is the Gospel." This remark of mine was not definitely too sweeping a statement. I apologize. What I should have said is that they are not the PRIMARY tools of the evangelist. In fact the gospel is not a tool as much as it is a spiritual weapon, wielded with the intent of slaying the "old man". We must die before we can be raised to new life in Christ. Tools are meant to fix things that need repair. The old man is beyond repair! Your comments? John |
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1358 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101164 | ||
"John Yes and so shut the door its us four and no more" Ed, where in the world do you get the idea that this old saw applies to what I believe? There will come a day when the last person to be saved will be saved. But that day and that person is known to God alone. In the meantime our job is to preach the gospel to all nations and all people. Please don't pigeon hole me according to pre-concieved ideas you may have about calvinists. I agree that there are certain groups that are what is called hyper-calvinist and they might fit your stereotype, but, please do not include me in this fringe group. It is akin to saying all pro-life ers support the murder of abortionists. It's just nonsense! I also did not say, nor did I mean to imply that you said "anything was a match for scripture". I was merely emphasising what we bith know to be the truth. Generally, I look for an opportunity to ask the person what they would say to God if He asked them "Why should I let you into Heaven?". The answer (9 out of 10 times) is "good works". If the fellow is the one out of ten that says he does not believe in God or Heaven, I ask him to answer for the sake of arguement. "Suppose you did believe in a Creator, then what do you think your answer to God would be?". Oftimes this provides a basis for the presentation of the gospel itself. John |
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1359 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101177 | ||
But he who believeth not is condemned already. This means that there is no other remedy by which any human being can escape death; or, in other words, that for all who reject the life given to them in Christ, there remains nothing but death, since life consists in nothing else than in faith. The past tense of the verb, is condemned already, was used by him emphatically, to express more strongly that all unbelievers are utterly ruined. But it ought to be observed that Christ speaks especially of those whose wickedness shall be displayed in open contempt of the Gospel. For though it is true that there never was any other remedy for escaping death than that men should betake themselves to Christ, yet as Christ here speaks of the preaching of the Gospel, which was to be spread throughout the whole world, he directs his discourse against those who deliberately and maliciously extinguish the light which God had kindled.(John Calvin) I suppose the past tense of the verb may not prove my point, but neither does it refute it. I appeal to an earlier verse and will attempt to defend my statement from it. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." That which strikes me about v.3 is the use of the verb "cannot see" as oppossed to "will not see". It seems as if Jesus is telling Nicodemus that unless a person is born again he unable to percieve spiritual reality (the Kingdom of God which is real as compared to this world which is a mere shadow of reality). Paul, as well, wrote in 1 Cor 2:14 "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." It is also a fact that God is omniscient and knows the end from the begining. Therefore He knows (without getting into how He knows; election or fore-looking)who will not believe. Those who do not believe can be said to be "condemned already" by virtue of God's omniscience. "The former is a Calvinistic spin." I will not be drawn in to a topic that is "...strictly forbidden on this StudyBibleForum." If indeed you are in a position of some authority, you should be the last one to critisize or open a door to debates of this nature. If I, a mere user, were to say "arminian spin" or "Southern Baptist spin" you would be quick to correct me. Maybe even report me as an abuser! Let's be fair with each other; Shall we? If you want to accuse me personally of spinning...fine, I can defend myself with scripture...but if I defend calvinism I am in violation of the rules. You know that better than I. John Reformed |
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1360 | How do we preach the Gospel? | 1 John 2:2 | John Reformed | 101178 | ||
I don't know why I waste my time? "for there is none so blind as he who will not see" I love you anyway :-) John |
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