Results 201 - 220 of 465
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
201 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89680 | ||
You said "I take it that you cannot provide an instance where anything other than the hearts strongest desire prevails." To this I respond: "I can, and most earnestly desire to do so more than anything else, but I choose not to for fear of where you are going with this line of reasoning.... :) Will that suffice? (I don't consider fear a desire.) So, what is your point? |
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202 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89671 | ||
Isn't this precisely why free will, and hence accountability, are inescapable? | ||||||
203 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89645 | ||
Thanks for your kindness. Regarding naturalistic materialism, mechanical evolution, whatever you want to call it, those world views cannot explain such things as consciousness, imagination, creativity, language, remorse, joy and truth. Those who suggest we simply need more time to figure them out do so by faith in their worldview. Faith is perhaps the hardest thing to explain, second only to love, which is mutually exclusive to natural selection, which is the basis for evolutionary development. Parable |
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204 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89636 | ||
You asked "Is it possible for a person to choose something other than the strongest desire of his heart?" I believe the answer is yes. People choose between mundane options all the time. Or, we can choose to accept the best option available even though it is not ideal. Or, we can choose to compromise in order to work with others. Or, we can choose to avoid something we don't want. Perhaps more the issue at hand, what is the origin of our heart's desire? In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Parable |
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205 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89624 | ||
You argue well. It is a pleasure to explore God's truth with you. I'd like to followup on your comment "But we are not dealing with a race of victims. We are dealing with a race of rebels;" Doesn't this imply that we are accountable, i.e. "not victims", precisely because WE make the choice to rebel? I hold we are accountable for our choices and this requires that our choices be genuine. For our choices to be geniuine, we must have the ability to act on them in a meaningful way and this means we have some power and authority of our own, within the context God provides. Of course, those gifts come from God. You also said "Salvation comes to those whom God shows mercy." I totally agree, especially in light of "For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." -- Romans 11:32 I take this to mean that God gives us over to our choices, i.e. He allows us to choose and reap the consequences, and His mercy is gracious precisely because we definitely don't deserve it. Then there is "he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD , but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." -- Proverbs 28:13-14 I take this to mean that it is WE who, in response to conviction by the Spirit, choose to confess or to harden our hearts. That is, it is possible to deny the conviction of the Spirit and thus harden our hearts. Along the same lines, "let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD , and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." -- Isiah 55:7 Again, I take this to mean that the choice to repent and accept God is ours, not God's. Finally, you said "strictly speaking, assenting is a response to faith. If one believes something, they belive it. It is not a choice that one makes whether or not to believe." I choose not to believe this ;) Let me illustrate. In mathematics, there are repeating non-terminating decimals such as 0.999999 where the 9's go on forever. The question is, does this equal 1.0 exactly or not? I can rigorously prove via standard methods that this number does in fact equal 1.0 exactly, but unless you understand and accept the methods of the proof, you probably will not be persuaded. If you are like most people, your intuition suggests that 0.9999 repeating falls short of unity. However, once you see that your assumptions about what this number means are false, you will change your mind, i.e. repent. A converse example involves the proof that 2 equals 1. However, this obviously incorrect conclusion can only be derived by a fallacious step in the proof, i.e. dividing by the equivalent of zero, which is not permitted. If you do not recognize the fallacious step, you might choose to believe that 2 does in fact equal 1. Once the flaw is revealed, you would then repent of your error. Granted, the ability to understand logic is a gift, but the application of that gift is ours. Otherwise, it is not a gift given freely, but rather a means by which to control your thinking. Based on the significance of our choices described in Scripture, I do not hold that God manipulates us in this way. |
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206 | Is not God inside of each of us? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89505 | ||
Perhaps the tendency to focus on scripture you describe is a manifestation of the mission of this forum. After all, it is a bible study forum. For the owner's guidelines, see the "About the Forum" under "Show Me" on the left side of the window. | ||||||
207 | Is not God inside of each of us? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89494 | ||
Yes, God is the ultimate authority in all things. Since scripture is His inspired Word to us, then scripture reflects God's authority. Of course, we must divide the word rightly or we face interpretations that reflect our minds and not His. If my personal revelation is contrary to scripture, I must conclude it is not from God, for His character does not change and His truth does not change. If my personal revelation is not contrary to scripture, but not explicitly endorsed either, then I must seek to understand how my revelation is consistent with Godly principles and truth as revealed in scripture. If I can't establish that consistency, then I must question my revelation. The idea that scripture is complete comes from the understanding that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God to us and nothing more can be added. Thus, additional fundamental truths are not to be expected, for all we need, or can hope for, has been given to us through Christ. This does not undermine the importance of living for God and heeding the Spirit. Indeed, it demonstrates how important it is that we look with eyes that see and listen with ears that hear. But it also recognizes that we see through a glass darkly, and can fool ourselves or be deceived by others. In any chain of command, one always confirms orders are genuine before executing them, no? |
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208 | Is not God inside of each of us? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89479 | ||
Perhaps the answer may be found in this: its not that we neglect personal insight or revelation, but rather that we seek to confirm they are truth by comparing them with Scripture, which we hold to be the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice. I note that not all Christian traditions hold this "high view" of scripture, e.g. the Quakers. The risk of holding to your own revelation is that you risk being in error, or worse, being deceived. There is no doubt that we are called to follow where the Spirit leads, and this necessarily implies direct personal revelation and experience. |
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209 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89475 | ||
From the Song of Solomon.....I do not intend to put any particular interpretation on these verses, other than to note the PASSION that is so clearly expressed. Of course, this is love poetry, so imagery is not literal. LOVER: "You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain." -- 4:12 BELOVED: "Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits." -- 4:16b LOVER: I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk." -- 5:1 BELOVED: My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my lover's and my lover is mine; he browses among the lilies. -- 6:2-3 Peace, Parable |
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210 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89471 | ||
1. When I asked "how can we understand that an all-loving, all powerful, all wise God would withhold faith from some, only to result in them being damned?" you said "By trusting His judgement instad of our own." IF this is indeed what God does, i.e. withhold the gift of faith, then I agree with you. Of course, in general I agree that we should trust Him, not ourselves. But that's the very point I wish to explore, that is, whether God withholds the gift of faith from some, knowing they will perish. This understanding seems derived from Augustine, not scripture and is contrary to clear statements that Jesus loved us while we were sinners, that He came to save sinners, so that all who believe in him might not perish. I cannot make any sense of the idea that Jesus would deny anyone the gift of faith. However, it is easy to understand that some people will choose to deny His gift. To confirm, are you saying that God creates unbelievers only to destroy them? 2. When I asked that question previously, you said "He does'nt. Every one the Father draws, He teaches, and gives to His Son, who raises them up on the last day. (John 6)" Do you mean to suggest that all will be saved on the last day? Isn't this universalism? Hasn't this doctrine been shown to be unbiblical? 3. Finally, I look forward to your responses to my first two questions from before, i.e. "Isn't this faith an "assent from it's recipient"? "If not, is faith involuntary?" Peace, Parable |
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211 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89469 | ||
I concur completely, brother. Congratulations on your 44th! I can't imagine how painful it must have been to lose a child, no parent should outlive their kids...yet Praise Him for his wonderful gift of grandchildren! As usual, it has been a pleasure to dialogue with you. Peace! |
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212 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89409 | ||
cherryappleberry, After all the biblical debate, which seems hard to resolve in this case, it eventually comes down to one thing, the very best thing, that Jesus commands us to do....love each other (John 15:17). Parable |
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213 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89405 | ||
Of course, I was referring to sexual conduct, not conduct in general. I apologize for not being more clear. The issue for me is not "where do WE draw the line" or "how far do WE dare lower the bar" but rather, "where does Scripture draw the line" and "where does Scripture place the bar?" We must be vigilant against reading into Scripture what we'd like to find. We can rationalize anything, including and most especially our own agendas, values, and prejudices, be they puritanical or hedonist. I think we agree that marriage is holy because it is a covenant between a man, a woman and God. While marriage also has a social function, i.e. recognition by the community, according to Scripture, it is not primarily a social institution. Thus, conduct in marriage is a matter for the three participants to decide, not society. The limits on conduct commanded by Christ are clear, love each other. |
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214 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89391 | ||
You capably defend the faith with gentleness and respect, and for this I thank you. If I may respond in kind... To your statement "the Bible does not attempt to catalog in detail every sin and aberration of which man is capable..." I offer "the Bible does not attempt to catalog in detail every good work and loving act of which man is capable..." And to your "but one is hard pressed to justify biblically....any other sexual act except the act of coitus which God has made clear that He both sanctions and encourages, but which He has expressly reserved for the marriage bed" I offer "...one is hard pressed to condemn biblically, any sex act other than those He has explicitly condemned, except those which violate the law of Christ, i.e. the law of love." My point is, the Bible does not explicity condemn nor condone oral sex in the marriage bed. Hence, arguments for condemnation may be equally countered with arguments for acceptance. For example, if coitus is the only permissible conduct, then all conduct other than penetration via intercourse is prohibited. Is this really what the bible teaches? |
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215 | Adult Question young people please do no | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 89376 | ||
With all due respect to Hank's opinion, which is noted with the most serious mind, I submit that the modern dictionary definition is not necessarily biblical. Nowhere in the bible is the term "sodomy" defined with anything like the same level of detail given by Mr. Webster. Peace, Parable |
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216 | Adult Question young people please do no | Song of Solomon | Parable | 89367 | ||
I'll attempt to answer your question in general terms first. Where the bible speaks, we are firm and where the bible is silent, we are free to live according to the principles of Godly living. To my knowledge, the bible does not discuss in detail what is allowed and what is prohibited between husband and wife. In principle then... That which expresses passionate love and unbridled joy for both husband and wife, that which promotes spiritual intimacy, that which honors and respects each person, those are the behaviors that glorify God. Sex is His gift to us; we should cherish it. That which expresses selfishness or lust, that which denegrates or objectifies a person, that which injures, that which manipulates, that which does not honor the other person, etc, those are the behaviors that must be avoided. Second, sexual immorality is a sin. It has been suggested the original reason for this is sexual immorality is a form of idolatry, i.e. worshipping false gods or putting something before God. The basis for this suggestion is that in many pagan rituals in biblical times, sexual acts of all kinds, heterosexual, homosexual, bestial or involving children were common as part of the worship. However, the prohibition is not just against doing what pagans did, as if the intent behind the act were the only problem, but rather against the act itself because it is inherently immoral, like murder, etc. It then follows we are not to be sexually immoral so we can remain pure and holy before the Lord, with our bodies as a living sacrifice in faithful obedience. The question then becomes, is oral sex a form of sexual immorality? If one surveys the OT for instances in which sexually impure people are described (Gen19:5, Gen19:30-38, Gen34:1-2, Gen35:22, Gen38:9, Gen38:14-18, Num25:6-14, Judg16:1, 1Sam2:22, 2Sam11:4, 2Sam13:14, 2Sam16:22, Hos 1-2, John 4, John 8:1-11, Luke 7:36-39, 1Cor5:1, Rev2:20), you find the issues are homosexuality, incest, rape, adultery, refusal to father a child by the wife of a dead brother, fornication, sex in the tabernacle and in public, and leading others to sexual immorality. In a few instances, the term "sodomy" has been used to translate the original meaning, which is not described in detail. In other cases, the word "perverted" has been used. The origin of the word "sodomy" has to do with Sodom, a city known for its sexual immorality, especially its aggressive homosexual men. Given all this, I suggest that if there is sin attached to any sexual activity in marriage, it comes from the content of each person's heart, as Jesus taught. Of course, this does not give license to do just anything. I suggest Jesus' summation of the law applies here..."So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12 |
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217 | why would God withhold the gift of faith | John 3:16 | Parable | 89357 | ||
I have two quesions about your comment "Grace, we all agree, is from God alone and does not depend on an act of assent from it's recipient." In Romans 5:2, Paul says "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Paul seems to be saying that access to this grace is by faith. 1. Isn't this faith an "assent from it's recipient"? 2. If not, is faith involuntary? Also, regarding your questions "Does "saving faith", come from God alone as well? Or, is it an intrinsic attribute common to all men, fallen and born-again alike?" My understanding is that our intrinsic attributes as His creation include genuine freedom to choose. I grant that saving faith is not part of a person, at least until that person chooses it, by surrendering to the Spirit, acknowledging their guilt and repenting of their wickedness. Otherwise, 3. how can we understand that an all-loving, all powerful, all wise God would withhold faith from some, only to result in them being damned? 4. Why would God create people He knows can never be saved because He withholds the gift of faith? Parable |
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218 | do you concur? | John 3:16 | Parable | 89339 | ||
John, Your explanation seems to differ from the other two offered in response to my question to you. (see "prazn" ID#89262 and "The Lord's Church" ID#89263) However, I may be missing something. Do you concur with their explanations? Also, as noted by Morant61 ID#89075, the antecedent of "it" in Eph 2:8 is salvation, not faith. What is your response to this view? Parable |
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219 | Rom 3:11 and Hebrews 11:6 ???? | John 3:16 | Parable | 89259 | ||
Regarding your point with Rom 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; I note Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM. (emphasis mine) What is scripture trying to teach with these two seemingly contradictory verses? Thanks, Parable |
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220 | Which proposition is scriptural? | John 3:16 | Parable | 89124 | ||
Regarding our nature, there is no doubt that we have a sin nature. Yet before there was sin, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27 Our first nature is a reflection of God, but because we are tarnished by sin, this image can only be brought forth by Christ when He cleanses us and gives us a new nature, the image of Himself. Romans 8:29 "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." Regarding the question of why some choose God and others don't, it seems clear those who reject God are casualties of the war against Satan and the forces of darkness. Eph 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is why we need the armor of God, Eph 6:10. Parable |
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