Subject: An interesting discussion/question |
Bible Note: Dear Tamara, Thanks for the response. You actually brought up most of the points that my friend raised during our discussion. And my "rebuttal" for lack of a better word, was this. John 3:16. God loved THE WORLD, and sent his son, so that all MIGHT(not WOULD grant you) be saved. In your 3rd to last paragraph, I was interested that you gave a specific, and divided, interpretation of mercy and justice. In God these things are intertwined. They are not separate. You are quite right when you say that God is just, in that he requires payment for sins. But He is merciful because He provided Christ as atonement for our sins. Everyone who hears the gospel must CHOOSE to accept Christs sacrifice. I believe that God knows every choice we will make. However, If he made this choice for us, would not the point of Christs death be made moot??? And so there for would we be responsible for our choice? According to the example of justice we have in the bible(which is Gods example to us), It would be unjust to punish someone for a crime you made them commit. And if God truly destined some to be saved, and the rest to die. Isn't He making the choice for the ones he doesn't save? I would like to direct you to John 6. Specifically verse 40. Gods will is that ALL be saved through faith in Jesus. How can that be His will if He then turns around and destines some to heaven, and the rest to hell. It makes his statement in John 6:40 a lie. Doesn't it?? My friend then pointed out that "Man doesn't make the choice, someone is only saved because God reaches out to him." God destines those to be saved. I asked him, what then does Jesus mean in verses 43-51? It seems to me, that even though God first reaches out to someone, they still have a choice to make. Believe in what has been revealed to you, or don't believe. I appreciate the time you took in your post. However I disagree that God destines one to hell and not the other. For that is the core of calvanism/ predestination. It sounds harsh, but that is what it boils down to. God bless you all and have a good day |