Results 41 - 60 of 196
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Lookn4ward2Heavn Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | Heb6:4-6 Loosing salvation or what? | Heb 6:4 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 207644 | ||
I would like to discuss this with you but first allow me to make some preliminary questions and comments: 1. You state you believe in “eternal security” (as defined by the Calvinist theolgical system, I assume). Are you attempting to fit the text in question to fit the doctrine of “eternal security” or are you seeking to find what the actual intended meaning of the text irrespective of whether or not it supports the aforementioned doctrine? 2. As you seem to be in disagreement with the “hypothetical” theory given the text in question, are you under the opinion that the writer of Hebrews considers the possibility of “falling away” (i.e. apostasy) a real danger, something that can actually occur to the readers of his letter? 3. Unfortunately, I am not experienced with NT Greek so I must rely on scholarly opinion. In any case, since you disagree with the NASB, what version(s) do you feel better translates the text in question and, briefly, why? Looking forward to a healthy discussion. |
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42 | How did Paul die | Phil 1:20 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 199882 | ||
To answer your question, see: http://www.biblestudy.org/question/sauldie.html | ||||||
43 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195554 | ||
Doc, Actually the first line of my post above (#195553) should read: "I don't see how YOUR long response (referring to #195490) relates to my question." I mention this for clarity...just in case... |
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44 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195553 | ||
Doc, I don't see how this long response relates to my question. While your comments are off the subject, allow me to respond. My older brother (at the time he wasn't a Christian) gave me good advice many years ago and I have held to it: "If you can't explain it, you don't understand it." I sometimes have the opportunity to tell other believers to not just read the Bible or know it but own it. I tell them, it's not your Bible (with the emphasis on "your") until you, by faith (1) are able to get out of it and understand it for yourself what God is saying to you, and (2) experience the presence of God in the course of living it out." The Bible is not just to be read but also owned. My Bible is my Bible not because I bought it, take time (however short) to read and study it, have an intellectual (however lacking) grasp of it, “a bunch of dead guys” told me what it means, or I memorized and adhere to a particular creed, but because (1) God speaks to me through it and, (2) opportunities are opened to experience God through it. I love books. I love to read. I just finished reading, "Power Through Weakness," by Savage. Now I'm reading, "Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear." At the same time, I'm studying Muller's, "God, Creation, and Providence in the Thought of Jacob Arminius" (that's heavy reading for me!). I'm also studying the "Book of Hebrews" with some commentaries, including Bruce and Lane's (the latter is an awesome read). Sometimes I get into a (bad?) situation where I'm spending more time reading my books rather than the Bible. All that to reiterate, "I love books!" But I'm not going to read my books the way I read the Bible. Creeds may be helpful but it’s not the Bible. "Godly and scholarly divines of the past" may have their value but they are not divinely-inspired instruments of learning in the sense equivalent to those who gave us the Bible. I don't believe what I believe because Calvin or Arminius, the Baptist Creed, Westminster Confession, or the Remonstrant, FF Bruce or William Lane said this or that; I believe what I believe because God speaks to me through the Bible. Other people and books may help clarify certain things in the Bible, creeds may be a useful device to facilitate memory, but they are not determinative of what I believe. JW's often respond to questions by rote as if they have a teleprompter in front of them. As a result, they fail to give answers directly related to the questions. From my point of view, if I just throw up what someone else says, I'm acting no better than those who have joined a cult. You are correct to say, "Nowadays we can garner to ourselves all kinds of teachers who will support our preconceptions, scratching our itching ears" (that you said "we" leaves me to assume you also are susceptible). This may occur when one, rather than giving the Bible its rightful place, lines it up alongside creeds and the teachings of others. You also said, “I've studied the various confessions of the church at the feet of well qualified university and seminary professors. My understanding isn't simply a matter of subjective opinion. It was proven through a variety of academic venues formally validating my comprehension.” Unfortunately: (1) No amount or degree of learning can guarantee freedom from errors; (2) No belief held is absolutely objective; (3) To study the “various confessions” is not the same as studying the Bible. Since you advise, “We can discuss it again after you do some reading,” and my library is filled with books I haven’t yet read, I will refrain from asking you directly any more questions so as not to take up your time. |
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45 | what is the goal of exegesis | 2 Tim 2:15 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195473 | ||
I see at least three general reasons to study the Bible: 1. To know God (Jn 17:3) 2. To please God (2 Tim 2:15). 3. To obey (Rom 12:2). The ultimate goal of exegesis is to experience, maintain, and secure a living relationship with God (Phil 3:10; 2 Pet 1:3 (cf. vss 4-12). |
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46 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195422 | ||
Hi Doc, Appreciate your response although, being a parroted response (noted with all due respect), it does fail to answer the specifics of my questions. 1. I assume your answer is essentially, “yes”? 2. I cannot see where your response specifically address the question: If, as you suggest in your answer to #1, God decreed that the man would rob the bank, does that mean God also decreed this man to go against his preceptive (i.e. revealed) will? 3. It seems your answer affirms that a child’s rape is God's "decretive will." However, I don’t see where my further questioning is answered by #1, that is, God having decreed the rape of a child and having laid the command, "thou shalt not rape children," nevertheless, never intended for the man who raped the child to obey it? Or, to put simply, did God also decree that a man disobey the divinely revealed will against rape? 4. I don’t see how I am mistaking “determinism” with “sovereignty.” My question has really no bearing on the divine sovereignty. It does question the compatibility of God being true in his dealings with man in light of Him openly commanding and expecting someone to do one thing while simultaneously secretly decreeing and intending he do the opposite. 5. Your answer seems to be that your view of the divine decree is not supported in any way by Deut 29:29, it showing only that “some information is God’s business alone, not man’s”. |
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47 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195123 | ||
Azure, Oops! I sometimes wonder why I wear glasses. Doc, please accept my apologies for the mix-up and, Doc, thanks for your reply, anyway. Searcher, let me be clear, however, that I am not presenting my questions on the basis of Arminianism-Calvinism debate. My questions are based on the posts read and reponses I receive for my questions. |
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48 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195101 | ||
Hi Doc. 1. Would answering #5 be considered off-limits since it does pertain directly to the understanding of a Biblical passage? 2. If the issue regarding the "divine decretive and preceptive will" is a subject that is off-limits, why, may I ask with no intention of disrespect, was the issue brought up by you in the first place? 3. If discussed in this forum, would it be permissible for you to direct me to is so that I may review the discussion (without any intention, on my part, to post responses to it or bring it up again on this forum)? Thanks... |
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49 | Decretive Will vs. Perceptive Will? | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195098 | ||
Doc, Regarding the example... 1. Is it actually suggested that it was God's decree - "His eternal purpose, according to His will, whereby He has foreordained" - that the man rob a bank? 2. Would that not be the same thing as saying that God decreed the man to sin, that is, God decreed this man to go against his preceptive, i.e. revealed will? Even further, being an eternal decree, is it being suggested that God never intended for the man to obey a known divine precept? 3. Could not the rape of a child also be used as an example of God's "decretive will"? Can it not also be said that, although God having laid the command "thou shalt not rape children," nevertheless, God never intended for this man to obey it? 4. How can God, if the integrity of His being is to be maintained, will the opposite of what he commands, worse, never intend the obedience demanded in the first place? 5. Furthermore (and this question is the more important, which I would like a response), how does Deut 29:29 demonstrate such a teaching regrading God's will as proposed in your post? |
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50 | Definition of "Perfect Will of God" | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195097 | ||
Hi Lionheart, Your response didn't seem critical to me. Maybe you can read my response to Brad and add some insight... |
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51 | Definition of "Perfect Will of God" | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195096 | ||
BradK, thanks for your answer and the Bible verse. 1. What can one understand to be the apostle Paul's intended meaning by the word "perfect"? For example, is the apostle here affirming that God's will is always accomplished in/through the believer and always exactly in the way God wills it to be accomplished? Is the apostle making a distinction between "good," "acceptable," and "perfect"? Or are these terms merely describing one and the same thing, (i.e. God's will)? 2. Considering the context, is the apostle implying that if one does not follow through with his urging - to (a) "to present your bodies," and (b) "not be conformed to this world" - they may fail to do God's will or do it perfectly? Furthermore, can the apostle's use of the word "perfect" mean or emphasize the quality of the act in relation to God's character as, for example, holy and good, and not necessarily the act as an act? |
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52 | Definition of "Perfect Will of God" | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195093 | ||
Doc and Lionheart, With all due respect: (1) I do not see where either posts provide a direct answer to my question. (2) Going down the thread, I do not find a Biblically supported explanation of just what the phrase in question means. I may have missed it somewhere and if so, please be so kind as to direct me. |
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53 | Definition of "Perfect Will of God" | Ps 115:3 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 195081 | ||
How are Christians, according to your understanding of the Bible, to define what is meant by the phrase "the perfect will of God"? | ||||||
54 | God grant repentance? | Gal 3:23 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193388 | ||
Oops! Sorry about the double entry... | ||||||
55 | God grant repentance? | Gal 3:23 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193387 | ||
Real Quick...took me awhile, Hank, to get to read this. I can agree with you regarding translations and paraphrases, however, I do find Bibles like the TEV helpful in understanding what is meant; and I have no problem attempting to discover the author's intended meaning (although, admittedly, disagreement with you in essence. As far as repentance is concerned, my position is that it is not something God does for sinners or that a sinner must be "born again" before he can repent. Acts 5:31 and 2 Tm 2:25 speaks of opportunity. Rom 2:4 indicates one being led by God's demonstration of kindness to repentance. Repentance, if it is Biblical (as I understand the Bible), also involves more tha just a "change of mind or attitude" as well as more than just sorrow; it also involves the act of turning away from what is being repented of and turning towards God. One can change their mind or attitude about something but not necessarily act according to that change. As such, it is not repentance. Furthermore, God commands men everywhere to repent and all have the ability, as created, to do so. Just my understanding of the Bible. No reponse is necessary. |
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56 | God grant repentance? | Gal 3:23 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193386 | ||
Real Quick...took me awhile, Hank, to get to read this. I can agree with you regarding translations and paraphrases, however, I do find Bibles like the TEV helpful in understanding what is meant; and I have no problem attempting to discover the author's intended meaning (although, admittedly, disagreement with you in essence. As far as repentance is concerned, my position is that it is not something God does for sinners or that a sinner must be "born again" before he can repent. Acts 5:31 and 2 Tm 2:25 speaks of opportunity. Rom 2:4 indicates one being led by God's demonstration of kindness to repentance. Repentance, if it is Biblical (as I understand the Bible), also involves more tha just a "change of mind or attitude" as well as more than just sorrow; it also involves the act of turning away from what is being repented of and turning towards God. One can change their mind or attitude about something but not necessarily act according to that change. As such, it is not repentance. Furthermore, God commands men everywhere to repent and all have the ability, as created, to do so. Just my understanding of the Bible. No reponse is necessary. |
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57 | what is born again? | John 3:5 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193382 | ||
To be "born again", simply put, is when a sinner becomes a child of God through the divine indwelling. A sinner becomes a child of God in consequence of his repentance and faith toward God (Jn 1:12; 3:3; cf. v.15-16). Repentance itself is not regeneration (the "born again" experience); neither is one regenerated in order to repent. |
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58 | "Many are called, but few are chosen." | Matt 22:1 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193373 | ||
Well, in the first place, no one is chosen because they are "good enough" to be in heaven (cf Rom 3:10). However, no one is chosen by some inscrutable, arbitrary divine decree not taking into consideration the response of the one called. Also, there is no person whom God has not chosen by that same inscrutable, arbitrary divine decree without considering their response to the call. To put it simply, if one is chosen, it is not because they are "good enough" but because they believe in Jesus Christ. |
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59 | "Many are called, but few are chosen." | Matt 22:1 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193371 | ||
It seems that he meaning of the Matt 22:14 is be found in the context of the parable with which it is connected. Although many were called, they refused the invitation. In addition, although accepting it, there was one who refused to acquiesce to the proper way the invitation is to be accepted and was thrown out. It might be good to note that in the parable, there is a reason why few were chosen and the rest rejected; the reason being that those chosen accepted the invitation and its required "dress code", and those not chosen were not chosen because they either refused the invitation in the first place or, upon accepting it did so under false pretense. Jesus says that in like manner is the kingdom of heaven to be compared: God calls all men to salvation, however, only those who accept it and do so on God's terms, are allowed entrance into the kingdom. |
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60 | Is It Human to Sin? | Gen 1:27 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 188495 | ||
Jeff, 1. Of course that is my assumption. Is sin in the Bible limited to deeds? If not, then my question would regard sin as all inclusive, that is, sin in word, thought, attitude, and/or deed? You responded, "...true Christians do not 'sin all the time, everyday'. Christians do sin (I certainly do) but not 'all the time'. All the time is as good as saying that it is my lifestyle. It is not my lifestyle to sin. Scripture says that it is not the lifestyle of any Christian to 'sin all the time, every day'." Now, if a genuine Christian does not sin - that is sin in all its forms as discussed above - all the time, everyday, it would appear that there is the possibility that a genuine Christian can spend, at the least, a whole day without sinning. If not, then, it seems to me that a genuine Christian is sinning all the time, everyday. Maybe the phrase "all the time" is confusing. I do not mean every single second (that's why I added "everyday"). What I do mean by "all the time" is the committal of sin - any sin - on a daily basis wherein not one day passes without having engaged in some form of sin, whether in in word, thought, attitude, or deed. 2. As far as your "Biblical guidance", you asserted that "Scripture says that it is not the lifestyle of any Christian to 'sin all the time, every day'," and merely cited Heb 10:26 and 10:19-23. You failed to demonstrate how the verses show your position is valid. 3. Now, if it is agreed that it is the lifestyle of a genuine Christian to not sin, then my question, I don't think, is out of place. If the genuine Christian's lifestyle is to not sin but rather be obedient to God, is it possible that a genuine Christian can be obedient for, at least, a whole day? I was not "rewording" the first question but asking another question based on your response. However, I may have missed something. Please clarify for me how my question is "a far cry from where you began". |
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