Open Theology: A Response to John Piper by Dr. Gregory Boyd

Biblical Theology ^ | Dr. Gregory Boyd

[Vernon]

Check your mail...

[White Mountain]

Your #417: It's the same thing I'd challenged White Mountain on, re his "calls to repentance". If he wants to discuss the topic at hand, that's fine. But posts like #414 are solely proselytizing efforts - and directed to the mod, no less!

That is your spin. It is, rather, an effort to resolve the never-ending controversy, and to show that I do not post these Scripture links just to be zealous or [insert negative motive here].

Regarding "We could solve all of this by becoming Mormons": There are many who accept the LDS Scriptures, or some portion of them, as the Word of God (indeed the entire Judeo-Christian world accepts the Bible, or some portion of it, as the Word of God), but do not accept the leadership of the apostles and prophets the Lord has sent in our day, as do Latter-Day Saints.

Regarding your challenge on repentance: I have never had a warning from any moderator on any website. As I seek to deal constructively with challenging situations, I have been given helpful suggestions and requests by moderators, to which I have always complied. I refer you to my GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS #933, of which you quoted the first paragraph of the following in your #990:

So when a poster has not been practicing Sidebar Moderator's [now Religion Mod's] New Testament rules (which are the Lord's rules), but then puts them into practice and posts accordingly, with mutual respect and treating others as he would be treated, that is repentance.

When endeavoring to improve our daily walk, we often work on our faults one at a time. We improve in one area, then work on another. That is repentance, getting better and better at doing what Jesus would have us do, one day at a time.

The Holy Spirit helps us do this, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, giving us more light as we live the light we have, growing brighter until the perfect day.

[Alex Murphy]

You asked me to make you the offer. I made the offer under the conditions that you were aware of prior to your asking. You refused the offer. Indeed you used the opportunity to impune my motives.

That membership into your "neener" club is based ultimately on a rejection of Reformed doctrine is, IMO, beyond question. Thus, you only offer a negative standard, i.e. doctrinal rejection. On that basis, White Mountain could even join. Why not extend an invitation to him?

You read my post wrong, Marlowe. I made no request to join your club. In fact, I didn't recall seeing ksen asking for your offer, either. Rather, I was asking why such an offer was only made to select people, since I had previously met the qualifications you gave (for making an offer to fellow GPRL ping list member ksen). In other words, I wanted to know the reasons behind the offer, not to receive an offer itself.

[Alex Murphy]

Aw c'mon Alex. I don't even get an honorable mention?

I hadn't reading your post that way before. If that's what you were saying, then you bet!

[restornu]

It is said Music is the Universal Language! I am refering to Classical music or even Opera you may not be able to understand the words. But when you listen and relax you are elevate to another place and your understanding heighten.

I believe it is also happen when you read truth be it in scriputres or historical works our gifts of discernment gives us insight when things ring true!

I thought about this when Alex was upset because the BOM was memtion. I am sure when a Jewish person reads the NT he also has an understanding of passages in the OT that was not always clear. Did he become Christain because he read things that rang true I don't thing so.

Our drawing board is the OT & NT and when we find lovely or things that help us understand the WORD more should we not gather them.

[Corin Stormhands]

Well you said it better than I did. ;-)

Have a good day.

[Vernon]

The greatest reward would not be public acclaim, but the rewards that come from recognizing and following truth rather than some system concocted by a radical in rebellion to the Holy and orthodox faith once delivered to the saints!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony!

[CCWoody]

***I find it rather curious that so much effort is concentrated on finding literal rationalization of the words...***

I'll up you one as it directly pertains to the question of Open Theism: Are we to understand that, using this "Literal" Hermeneutic about which the Open Theist is so proud of boasting, that the LORD suffers from a geriatric condition like Alzheimers? After all, I do find this in my Bible:

Then God heard their mone, and God remembred his couenant with Abraham, Izhak, and Iaakob.
(Exodus 2:24 GB)

I sure hope the old geezer won't forget me when he really gets a good case of senile dementia going after a few ages of eternity. Perhaps this explains why Satan was let into the garden in the first place to tempt man and cause the fall. Had God not wandered across the street and forgot who and where he was for a time, perhaps he wouldn't have let his snake loose in the garden.

Woody.

[CCWoody]

***How many, if any, FR Arminians have become Open Theologians?***

Outch!

Shot to the heart
and your to blame....
(with apologies to John)

Woody.

[CCWoody]

***It seem Adam was without guile he just simply answered the question.***

Still trying to paint Adam in a positive light I see.

[Arminian]: Adam did a noble act.
[Mormon]: Adam was without guile.
[Calvinist]: We doggies. There's a lot of sin justifying going on.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your reply, but truly when the discussion goes to specific theologies I demur. Here is what I posted on another thread with regard to such matters:

I do not subscribe to any mortal’s interpretation of Scripture whether it be Calvin, Arminius, Matthew Henry, Joseph Smith, the Pope, Billy Graham or whomever. But I have no objections to others who do subscribe.

Martin Luther at the Imperial Diet of Worms:

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

I can relate to Martin Luther’s plea because I also am a willingly “captive” of the Word of God. That means that I rely on the Holy Spirit who indwells me to guide my understanding of the Word. (I Corinthians 2) But I see the Word as much, much more than Scripture. The Word is alive, He was with God from the beginning (long before the Scriptures) and is God. Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1). The Scriptures come alive within me when I read them. The Word is indeed bread and drink.

My comments ought to be taken as a layperson’s because I am neither a theologian nor a philosopher.

[Alex Murphy]

The greatest reward would not be public acclaim, but the rewards that come from recognizing and following truth rather than some system concocted by a radical in rebellion to the Holy and orthodox faith once delivered to the saints!

Hence my own faith - and my continued willingness to be associated with those of the GRPL ping list :)

The Neener list proposes no such "truth", in any form. As I said before, it's sole requirement for membership, indeed it's very foundation, is made up of a common rejection - or to use your word, rebellion - of a particular theological understanding of the Bible. Formally, the Neener list neither proposes, supports, nor suggests any alternative, common system of theology for it's adherents.

Surely you know the political adage "you can't fight something with nothing"?

[Vernon]

Indeed it is rebellion against the most holy faith once delivered to the saints, and no amount of "spin" can negate historical facts.

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Peter 3:16-18 (KJV)

[Alex Murphy]

Vernon, one or more things are happening here with our recent posts:

1) You and I are talking past each other, concerning the Neener list and Reformed Theology,
2) You and I are talking past each other, concerning the GRPL list and some other form of theology,
3) You and I are talking past each other, over an undeclared theological/doctrinal camp versus Reformed Theology, and the Neener list has nothing to do with it.

If you're talking in the context of 1) above (which I am), my prior post still stands. If you want to continue that discussion (or even take it to another thread), you will need to explain just what undeclared "truth" I am rebelling against, and document your relationship to the "Neener" list, your authority to speak on Marlowe's behalf regarding the "Neener" list, and how that list promotes said "truth" (given it's formation and publicised rules of membership). Barring those answers, I'm dropping the subject, and "You can't fight something with nothing" remains my final word on the subject of the "Neeners" list.

If you're talking in the context of 2), 3), or some other point, you've completely lost me. I have no idea what "truth" you hold dear that you claim I am "rebelling" from. Feel free to respond or FReepmail me and explain what I've missed.

[CARepubGal]

So all we have to d is be Mormon and it will all be ok? NOT BLOODY LIKELY! I will sell my signs for money or Pay Lay Ale though.

naomi

[Wrigley]

Hey, are you back?

[CARepubGal]

Not quite. :-) You (will) have FRMail . What have I missed other than mormons and arminians bleeting?

[Wrigley]

Nothing.

[drstevej]

Two new GRPL members

#50 ksen
#51 sheltonmac