Subject: eph 1:4-5 what is predestination, chosen |
Bible Note: Hi Apollos, Lest I be misunderstood, I don't think the Bible is illogical, and I don't think we should throw logic by the wayside. But I have heard many theological arguments on this that do not do justice to the Word. You mention the doctrine of the Trinity, and I think that is a useful example. While the Bible never uses the word itself, it is a simple matter to show this doctrine from Scripture alone without commentary: Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. There are many more sets such as this that I could include, but let this suffice, since we both already know this. The Bible declares there is One God, and the Bible declares that the Son is God, the Father is God, and the Spirit is God. We do not need complex argurments, the Scripture shows this. David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." When and how did God grant this? Not according to guesses, but what does the Bible actually teach? I realize that it "makes sense" to many that Abraham, for instance, was "born again". But I have not yet found where the Bible teaches that. You mention a "changed heart". There are places in the Old Testament that speak of God changing a man's heart. One is Pharoah. Another is King Saul. There was Bezaleel, the only one in the entire OT that was said to be "filled with the Spirit". Pharoah's heart was hardened by God for the judging of Egypt. Of course, Pharoah hardened his own heart as well, which if memory serves came first. Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit for the express purpose of constructing the tabernacle and it's furnishings. His filling was specifically said to be to construct, and teach the construction of this articles. Pharoah's heart could be hardened. Couldn't a heart be softened? Love in Christ, Mark |