***with all respect of course woody, shouldn't Gods work through the Holy Spirit in thier hearts be enough?***
Can I presume that you actually read the verse which I noted in my post and that you are, in fact, disputing with the expressed Holy Writ? Or did you not read the verses?
If any man see his brother sinne a sinne that is not vnto death, let him aske, and he shall giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it.
(1Jo 5:16 GB)
Or how about this one...
Brethren, if any of you hath erred from the trueth, and some man hath conuerted him, Let him know that he which hath conuerted the sinner from going astray out of his way, shall saue a soule from death, and shall hide a multitude of sinnes.
(Jam 5:19-20 GB)
Woody.
For those interested in another point of view.
Open Theology
Universalism is neither new nor unique in the world of cults. It has existed in various forms throughout history. Jeroboam created a false image of Judaism when the Ten Northern Tribes split from Judah and Benjamin following Solomon’s death (1 Kings 12). His goal was to keep everyone home, away from the Temple in Jerusalem. His religion taught that the Israelites could find God away from God’s teachings. The concept has hung around ever since.
The modern church has, however, expanded upon this universal concept in a new form. This new form is the Open View of God or neotheism. Open theology does not have to result in universalism, but that conclusion must be forced upon it most of the time. This is because without universalism, there is little good in the potential outcome of neotheism.
Open theism is sometimes called “free will theism.” This points to the major component of this new teaching. Open theology teaches that God may change His mind and that He does not absolutely know the future. This proposition has amazing results.
First, note if God cannot truly know the future, all of the remaining prophecies of the Bible are in doubt. Maybe Jesus will not return? Maybe Satan is never defeated? Maybe there is no set will for our lives?
Second, if there are no set wills for our lives, our own decisions potentially change our relationship to God in both positive and negative ways that God cannot imagine. Suppose He desires you become a missionary. This is His will for your life. What happens when you simply do not obey this call and never become a missionary? How will God handle the situation? Does He have the power to “punish” you for disobeying His will? How will He save the people you did not reach?
http://www.judeministries.org/neotheism/6.htm
You know Woody it is very easy for man to set himself above God..or at least equal to Him in power. It is very empowering and a natural result of some doctrinal positions .
Is God omniscient ? Not according to this theology. He is a constrained by time just like man . I have no clue what will happen tomorrow and neither does God . I believe Boyd's theology is a heresy from bottom to top. I simply hold fast to a promise that the elect can not be deceived .
I think Woody, what Rev is getting at is the difference between
confronting a brother with the truth of his sin and the truth of the Word and
pulling him out of his sin.
It is God that pulls us from our sin. It is God who gives life. We don't do it for ourselves or each other.