Results 121 - 140 of 155
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Curtnsally Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
121 | 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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122 | 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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123 | 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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124 | 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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125 | 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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126 | 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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127 | 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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128 | Why did Paul sacrifice in Temple? | Rom 14:20 | Curtnsally | 34272 | ||
Paul very much believed, "when in Rome, do as the Romans." He did not think that religious tradition should become a stumbling block to finding Christ. I don't have time to develop this fully, but look at Romans 14... 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. Also, do a word search on "stumble" in Paul's writing. When Paul preached to the Romans, he was very tolerant of their starting point... and then gently brought them toward Christ. Likewise, when around Jews, he was careful not to throw up a wall which, for them, was impenetrable (ie not holding to certain customs of the faith). Rather, he would teach Christ, and let the sidebar doctrine take care of itself. Of course, Paul taught continually that we are not saved by the law but by grace. Sorry I can't take this further now, but it is an interesting question. Blessings Curt |
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129 | New Testament..God speak to anyone else | Rom 16:25 | Curtnsally | 33894 | ||
God speaks to all Rev 15 4 "Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Blessings Curt |
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130 | I fed you with milk, not solid food. | 1 Cor 3:2 | Curtnsally | 33517 | ||
I would confirm what "prayon" said. The verse before gives the clue: 1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. Paul spends most of the 1 Corinthians straightening out their theology and addressing their worldly ways. It seems to me that Paul is insulting them, knocking them off of their high horse. He's saying, "You guys think you're so smart, but I haven't even laid the heavy stuff on you yet. I was waiting for you to grow up a bit, but you haven't. You're not even ready for the heavy stuff now!" (This is the Curt Amplified Version of Scripture! lol) If you read 1 Corinthians with this view in mind, a lot of what Paul says falls into place. Blessings Curt |
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131 | I fed you with milk, not solid food. | 1 Cor 3:2 | Curtnsally | 33598 | ||
I thought of another verse that was similar but clearer as to meaning: Hebrews 5 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Blessings Curt |
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132 | Muselim Religious | Eph 2:8 | Curtnsally | 34044 | ||
One other thing... the Islamic leaders portray Islam as the religion of the downtrodden in Asia... it is a faith that permits and encourages war against those who are non-believers... whom Islamic leaders blame for the ills of society. It has become the politically correct religion of those who want to rise up against other countries who are successful. We see this within the Arab world with fighting between various countries... the haves and the have nots. With closed societies, theocracies that control the press and harsh penalties to those who would be missionaries for other faiths, is it any wonder we see the Middle East as the most difficult mission field? Blessings Curt |
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133 | info on marriage how to treat each outh | Col 3:18 | Curtnsally | 33207 | ||
Any woman married to a man who follows this advice: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" has nothing to worry about. If we think about the relationship of the church to Christ, I think we get an accurate portrayal of God's plan for marriage. Christ is the head of the church. The church willingly submits to the authority of Christ. Why? Because we know that Christ loves us and wants the best for us. The church is actively engaged in the work of Christ, and He wants it that way... just as the wife is actively involved in the work of family. Of course, this model breaks down if the husband does not love his wife as prescribed in Scripture... which occurs more than we like to admit. When this happens, we tend to blame the model, but the real culprit is faulty execution. The model exemplified throughout Scripture is that of the wife undergirding her husband... a team, seeking together to glorify God. While this doesn't jive with modern pop culture, I don't think our culture has shown us a better way. If anything, the failure of marriage in our culture proves Scripture to be right. Proverbs 31 is worth a look. |
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134 | info on marriage how to treat each outh | Col 3:18 | Curtnsally | 33230 | ||
Just a thought... (initiated by SRN's comment)... what does convenience have to do with anything? Whether a thing is convenient or not has no bearing on our lives as Christians. God does not call us to a life of convenience, does He? Jesus' life wasn't very convenient... nor Pauls', nor the disciples' ... what right do we have to convenience? Back to the subject at hand, I think that God's plan is often simple in concept, but difficult in application because of our sinful nature. This applies to marriage as much as any other part of our life. Could you expand on what you mean when you say that these passages "must be taken in context". Does that mean in the context of the whole of Scripture, or in context of our society, or in the context of the setting of that particular verse? |
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135 | info on marriage how to treat each outh | Col 3:18 | Curtnsally | 33443 | ||
Hi Ben I read your profile and have a question... are you up for a discussion on predestination and free will? Not argumentative, but open debate for the advancement of understanding? Let me know... as I have been looking for someone with some theological training in their background. In Him Curt Russell |
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136 | info on marriage how to treat each outh | Col 3:18 | Curtnsally | 33468 | ||
. Great! I am very comfortable agreeing to disagree on this topic particularly, but others will have to speak for themselves. I have to jump off for now but will get back with some points to ponder. Blessings Curt |
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137 | info on marriage how to treat each outh | Col 3:18 | Curtnsally | 33498 | ||
Hi Ben I opened a thread for our discussion. The question is posted with the header "Thoughts on Romans 9". I was trying to avoid a header with "free will or predestined"... lol. I'm sure my question will ultimately throw down the gauntlet for a lively debate, but I couldn't see any way to have a sidebar discussion on this forum. We'll just have to try to keep ourselves and others civil in the process. Oh well... here we go! Blessings Curt |
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138 | What's RIGHT about Gender-Neutral | 2 Tim 2:15 | Curtnsally | 33509 | ||
Hank Hank Hank tsk tsk Can you name one other area of life where men are gender neutral? lol ;-) Curt |
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139 | Satan's will or God's will | 2 Tim 2:26 | Curtnsally | 31887 | ||
Dear Folks, The clear meaning of the text is that we are to hold each other accountable to God's Word, and by lovingly teaching and correcting each other, we will avoid Satan's snare. Ask yourself this... who's will do you think we are captive to outside of God's Word, and who's will should we aspire to follow? Is this not clear?... particularly when we read individual Scripture in the light of the entire Bible, which is the way we can avoid the misinterpretation of a single Scripture. God repeats Himself so often in Scripture that even dummies like me can figure it out! Best Curt |
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140 | Satan's will or God's will | 2 Tim 2:26 | Curtnsally | 32002 | ||
Can't argue too hard with your point, however, I think it is a miscalculation to say Satan has no power over us. If that were true, we would not sin. Paul often talks about the bondage of sin, and I believe this is what he refers to here. To refine the thought, I think that Satan does have limited power over us, but that God's power is greater, if we call upon Him. Certainly, Satan has a will to do evil and he never rests at trying to ensnare us in that desire. Paul is teaching Timothy how to help people escape the bondage of sin. Also... at this time, there was clearly dissention among the ranks on theological issues. Paul wants Timothy to gently correct these issues. In this, he encourages Timothy to be kind (thus attractive) to all people to gain a voice for teaching and and correction to help them free themselves (through faith) from the bondage of sin. Paul reminds Timothy to: "be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 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. Thanks for the welcome! Blessings Curt |
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