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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are we presenting the gospel scripturaly | John 1:12 | mark d seyler | 172502 | ||
Hi Doc, Thank you very much for the clarity with which you stated yourself! I posted some of the verses that have shown, to me, a chronology of salvation, and I simply wondered if there was perhaps some other way of looking at them. I have seen this on a number of occasions that the way I have understood a verse may not be the only way it can be understood, and this could be one of those times. You may be suprised at the number of times I have changed my theology based on new understandings of particular verses. Having not seen another way to understand these verses, and since they seem so very clear, and others like them, then I must continue to believe that repentance and belief come before rebirth, and so we are a different sides of that particular line. Prevenient Grace - thank you! I had a feeling I wasn't saying it right! Yes, I definitaly have read many verses of the universal invitation, and it seems very clear that God offers salvation to everyone. The only order of salvation that I could possibly be comfortable with is that which is demostrated in the Bible, in the verses I cited, among others. Call it unorthodox if you wish (said word has many mis-applications already - everyone claims orthodoxy - its just another way of saying "I'm right"). I don't think that the order you have proposed for my thinking quite matched what I have in mind, but thats fine, I receive it in the spirit that it was offered. :-) If we were to simplify as much as possible what I believe, it would be something like this: At some point in everyone's life, God offers grace and salvation to every person, at such a time and in such a way as to give them a true and real opportunity to be saved. Some say yes, and many say no. And of those who say yes, some really mean it, and are really saved, and many don't, and are not. God prefers that all would be saved. That's it in a nutshell. I want you to know, I truly am interested in an exposition of those verses I referenced, if there is anyone who believe I am misunderstanding what they say. If you can show me from the Scriptures how they mean something different, I wll be able to identify and correct an error. As I am analysing Scriptures on this forum, it is for the purpose of showing not only my conclusions but also my process. I do this so that others might critique my analysis, to make sure I have not "gone off the deep end" in an emotion fit. ;-) Please feel free to point out to me if you think that I have made an error in exposition, whether it be based on an overpowering emotional state or something else. I have seen very technical forums, which have been very interesting to read, until they completely lost me. Definately, ours is more of a lay-person's forum. Again, I want to thank you for the spirit in which you have written, and I hope I have not said anything to offend. Love in Christ, Mark |
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2 | Are we presenting the gospel scripturaly | John 1:12 | DocTrinsograce | 172535 | ||
Dear Brother Mark, How could I but respond to a post so graciously and kindly put? :-) This thread is getting pretty long. To shorten it, I'll post the responses elsewhere. The alternative ways of reading the verses you cited is at post #172532. The definition of orthodoxy, as I use it, is at post #172533. I'd suggest you spend further study on the doctrine of prevenient grace. It is not synonymous with the universal offer of the Gospel, the latter doctrine being held by synergists and monergists alike. All would agree that there is a difference between offering and drawing. I'm really proud of you for explictly stating your soteriological theology in a "nutshell." Very proud indeed! That is a wonderful first step that few have the courage to do. It lays bear your thinking so that you and your brethren can evaluate it. I urge you, brother Mark, to make a copy of your statement. Keep it by you as you study the Word. Over time you will find that it will require amending. Don't let that worry you -- amend away! Furthermore, no one will denigrate you for correcting it. None of us care about being right. What we care about is the truth. And when that is our aim, we are in the business of revamping our thinking in full submission to the Lord of all truth. Everyone who is a true believer is involved in this process all the way until glory! You see, your statement has far reaching implications with regard to faith (your doctrine) and practice (the application of your doctrine). It is valuable since it forms the root of your understanding of the Word of God. Lay it out before Him with whom we have to do. For we need not fear His correction even as we hope for His affirmation. He will ultimately lead us unto all truth. Thank you, again, for your openness and candor. Those are virtues well worth emulating. We all see the fingerprints of our Lord! :-) In Him, Doc |
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