Covenant Theology: The Absolute Sovereignty of the Creator

Westminster Presbyterian Church ^ | Dr. James E. Bordwine

[CCWoody]

***Hey, Woody & Wrigs in that picture, does it look like Hillary has her eyes close so she can imagine it is Janet Reno smoochin her? She seems to be quite passionate.***

[Vernon]

Ah shucks, Woody, you'll be fine, just keep walking, talking, and trusting God.

[Wrigley]

Great. Now I'm gonna have nightmares.

[Ephesians210]

RE: If Calvinism is so great, there should be lots of opportunity for growth.

It's ironic how so easily libertines equate "growth" or "success" with being from God.

God's Word says the opposite, Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life, and few find it. But wide is the gate and broad is the path that leads to destruction and most find it.

God didn't command His people to go out and be sucessful. God commanded to "Go therefore and preach the gospel to every creature..."

Hasn't anyone told you that hell is never full?

[Ephesians210]

RE: If you want to amuse yourself, try to find the original edition from 1970(?). Look at the failed predictions there. Compare it to the most recent edition, and see the amount of change made.

Thats just the thing about newspaper headline escatology, the headlines are always changing so the pronosticators have another slot to fit their failed predictions into.

When will they ever learn Lindsey, et al, have made a lot of money tickling the ears of their followers.

Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christos, Sola Scriptura doesn't sell as many books as the hyperbolic sensationalism of the so called "prophecy experts".

[connectthedots]

It's ironic how so easily libertines equate "growth" or "success" with being from God.

I am not libertine. As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

While numerical growth is not the only factor in determining how well a church is making disciples of men, no or little growth is conclusively not fulfilling that mandate. This false sense of pride is more of an excuse for an ineffective ministry than anything else.

[xzins]

1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[1] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15: 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

[Vernon]

I am not libertine. As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

While numerical growth is not the only factor in determining how well a church is making disciples of men, no or little growth is conclusively not fulfilling that mandate. This false sense of pride is more of an excuse for an ineffective ministry than anything else.

Preach it!

[Vernon]

God's Word says the opposite, Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life, and few find it. But wide is the gate and broad is the path that leads to destruction and most find it.

While will not disagree with the basic idea, I checked several translations and could not find the word "most" in this passage. Seriously, what translation are you using?

[P-Marlowe]

It's ironic how so easily libertines equate "growth" or "success" with being from God.

No, growth and success are the byproducts of God's work and God's people working in His service. (And the Lord added daily to the church...)

What is ironic is that Calvinists like you seem to equate shrinkage and failure with being from God.

Hasn't anyone told you that hell is never full?

You say that with such glee.

[xzins]

There is far more without scripture at the beginning of this than there was in the other article. The first 7 paragraphs have only 1. Then there's a paragraph with a few, and then a whole host of paragraphs without any again.

Why do you think you thought it was full of references? Perhaps because it was something you agreed with? It's funny how the human mind works.

[cookcounty]

"Ya suppose when Jesus taught about the vine and branches there were any vineyards visible? I believe He often used visuals in the vicinity to illustrate spiritual truth.

Agree?"

Well, Jesus certainly made rich use of of visual language to make his points, unlike the preacher of this sermon.

[drstevej]

***Well, Jesus certainly made rich use of of visual language to make his points, ***

James likewise.

Chapter 2:2-3 is a skit in condensed form...

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”

[Ephesians210]

RE: I am not libertine.

If not then you are a slave.

As for your attitude about growth in numbers of believers, I would suggest that the false pride that comes with an attitude of exclusivity based on small numbers and little or few additions to the family of God is not at all pleasing to God.

Amazing how you can read into the fact of Scriptural teaching that there are very few who make it into God's Kingdom as being motivated by "false pride", as you call it. The "attitude" wasn't mine, it was a simple statement that belonged to Jesus. I suggest you take it up with Him.

[Ephesians210]

RE: Hasn't anyone told you that hell is never full?(That is Scripture, btw.)

You say that with such glee.

Glad to know you can read emotion in what was said, or rather you read INTO what was said, emotion that wasn't there.