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NASB | 1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 2:4 who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth. |
Subject: My Final Answer! :-) |
Bible Note: Greetings Joe! I have the utmost respect for you my friend, but I sincerely disagree with the following statement: "And some have contended that this is a less-than-honest oversimplification of the argument." Allow me to explain why! I quote an 'all' passage and I am told that the verses in question can't mean 'all'. Why? Because, the theological construct of Calvinism will not allow it. So, I ask for an honest question. If Christ really did not die for all men and I am misunderstanding this vital point, then show me any verse which contradicts the 'all' verses. Yet, there aren't any. I mean this in all sincerity my friend. From my perspective, I am being asked to reject the very clear meaning of many (not just one) verses on the basis of no evidence to the contrary. So, I don't see it as a less than honest oversimplification. If there were a verse which specifically stated that Christ did not die for all men, then I would change my view. Now, concerning Rom. 9, we have discussed this many times before. One cannot take chapter 9 in isolation from chapter 10 and 11. The 'one verse' you refer to in chapter 11 is the goal of God's plan of election. So, my contention is that Calvinists have totally misread the whole meaning of chapter 9. Paul is not arguing for God's right to limit His mercy, but for God's right to expand His mercy. As a result, those who were 'not His people' are now 'His people'. Those who were 'not loved' are 'now loved'. Those who were not Israel, are not part of Israel. This was the whole reason why God worked in the lives of individuals as He did, not to limit salvation, but to make it available to all men. It might surprise you, but as an Arminian, I love Romans 9-11. ;-) I pray that all is well with you and your family my friend. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |