Results 1 - 11 of 11
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Eternal Security? | Bible general Archive 1 | userdoe220 | 15486 | ||
I believe that the Islamic belief in God and the Christian view of God was tainted by Greek Philosophy (Not the Bible) but the lens in which we look through when interpreting the Bible. I am not saying that I don't look through a lense when interpreting scripture--we all have our presuppositions. What I am saying is that there are some funny similarities--i.e., God exisiting outside of time--that seem very Platonic and is not addressed in the scripture. I remember sitting in my philosophy class in college thinking, "Wow, Plato really was describing the Christian God and did not know it!" That, in my mind, backed up my premise: all truth is God's truth. Now I am wondering just how much of a lense we use when going to scripture instead of letting the Bible speak for itself? I don't and will not pretend to have this issue all wrapped up. One thing I will say is that the Bible was not influenced by Platonic philosophy, just the way we approach some of our scriptures describing God's attributes. Just wondering: Have you read any books on the "openess of God" belief? If so, what book would best cover their beliefs? Also, what is the best book written in response to their belief? I read an article on this new trend in the Dallas Morning News religous section and was wondering what it was all about (I do have an idea and am wondering if it is process theology repackaged). Got to run |
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2 | Eternal Security? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 15513 | ||
Greetings Schwartzkm! The "Openess of God" theory is basically an evolved form of process theology. I know Dr. William Hasker is one of it's proponents, though not the main one. I don't recall the name of his book. A good response to the theory is "Creating God in the Image of Man", by Dr. Norman Geisler. It is published by Bethany House Publishers. It even goes into some of the accusations that Greek thought has influenced our definition of God. You mentioned the "timelessness" of God. This is one attribute that I don't believe simply comes from Greek thought, rather it is a logical extension of the very nature of God. For instance, we know that God created matter. Matter is one of the dimensions of physical space, but so is time. Now, we are coming to understand more and more that space and time are intimately connected. Therefore, it seems logical that God would transcend time just as He transcends space. This attribute is actually addressed in Scripture in casual statements, but not in hard definitions. For instance, Scripture talks about God being with beginning or end. It talks about Him knowing the end from the beginning, which either implies that time is scripted or all present for God. It is a very interesting subject! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 15521 | ||
Hey Guys! Can I muddy the waters? I've already stated elsewhere that I know nothing of Calvinism and Armenism (or however it is spelled), but here's what I think. Of course, my opinion is always subject to 1) being wrong 2) being right 3) being corrected by those who know more than I and 4) being ridiculed by those who know it all. :) Here goes: I hardly know anything of the Sovereignty/Free Will debate. But I do believe that God is both sovereign and that we have free will. I don't think that they are mutually exclusive. I think that Philippians 2:6-8 gives us a small glimpse of that. Here we see that although Jesus was completely God, He chose to set aside His divine right (sovereignty, complete control), as God, and become a servant (a man with free will). He was, I believe, completely God and completely human. He had both God's Spirit in Him and a human spirit. He had a soul. And He had a will that He chose to submitted to His Father's will (not only in the garden but throughout His earthly ministry. He did only what His Father told Him to do). I know this may sound crazy (not my first time), but I think that God, being sovereign, can chose to set aside exercising that sovereignty in order to permit human chosing. What do you think? How far off the bubble am I? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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4 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 15522 | ||
Greetings Bill Mc! Well said! The only point I would add to is that I don't think that God has to set aside His sovereignty in order for us to have free will. Here's why! Nowhere in Scripture is sovereignty defined as "making every choice" or "being responsible for every thing". He is Lord. What He says ultimately goes, but we can also exercise choice in our limited sense. If I freely choose a Big Mac over a cheeseburger, God dosen't suddenly stop being God. But, I am also aware that our "free will" is very limited. There are a lot of things over which we have no choice at all, other than how we respond to them. Overall, I think you are right on! If you want an excellent book that views things the way you do, check out A. W. Tozer's, "The Pursuit of God". It is one of the best explanations of God's sovereignty I have ever read. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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5 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Makarios | 15524 | ||
Greetings Tim! Believe it or not, but I had my pastor join me for breakfast this morning and I recommended that very same book "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer to him! Also, you have stated "If I freely choose a Big Mac over a cheeseburger, God doesn't suddenly stop being God." But my stomach may 'elect' to just stop being my stomach.. :) Blessings to you dear Brother! Nolan! :) |
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6 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 15527 | ||
Greetings Nolan! Even worse, elect to have a double quarter pounder! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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7 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 15529 | ||
All seriousness aside...I'm glad we don't take ourselves too seriously. Especially on such a 'heavy' subject. Blessings in Him, Bill Mc | ||||||
8 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 15530 | ||
Big Mac is Calvinist, isn't it? The Whopper is where you can get it 'your way.' I better shutup now. | ||||||
9 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 15531 | ||
Bill, That might be wise! Groan! :-) Tim Moran |
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10 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | glory777 | 15565 | ||
You guys are both sick! As long as Mickey d's is around I at least know my horses have some value! OH NO!!! IT'S CONTAGIOUS!!!! (Sorry Sparkey and Maggie!). Debbie |
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11 | Are Sovereignty and Free Will Exclusive? | Bible general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 15568 | ||
Debbie! This just keeps getting worse! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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