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Posted on 03/10/2004 9:37:27 PM PST by malakhi
JM
Dogs cannot become cats. Cats cannot become dogs.
But sinners become the inhabitants of Heaven by God's eternal decree as part of His divine plan for creation, known by Him from before the foundation of the world.
JohnnyM you do realize that the Doc didn't answer this question, nice feel good post Doc, but this is one of the reasons you will never sell me on Calvinism, you can't answer this question because Calvinism is not true. You can dance around it, jump over it, run away from it, but the fact is you can't simply answer it. I've watched you guys for years here go thru all kinds of mental gymnastics with questions like this one. Tells me and others all we need to know about Calvinism.
BigMack
Because Catholics and Arminian Protestants share the belief that they can effect their salvation.
This was the core of the Reformation, Mack. "Faith Alone." And it's no surprise it's not being taught today. It's no coincidence we're saturated in "do-it-yourself" theology.
Jacob Arminius, with the backing of various subversive groups, tried to turn back the Reformation by again returning to the idea that man can help in his salvation. (Thus putting the power BACK into the hands of men and the church.)
TULIP is a response to that blasphemy. Man is saved by God's gift of faith alone.
Those who want to keep the separate levels of hierarchical power intact, i.e. the Romanists, the wealthy, the powerful, the Arminians, all say the same thing -- "Go for it! You can do it! It's all up to you!!!"
Calvinists say "Salvation is of the Lord." "No King but Christ."
It does make a difference.
If a Holy God cannot abide sin in His presence then how can He not damn you for sinning, whether you're hard-wired to or not?
If God knew you would never accept Christ as your Saviour and created you anyway, how can He damn you if you are behaving the way He knew you would before He created you?
God lifts us.
If we've been lifted, we're saved.
Have you been lifted, Mack? Do you confess Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you repent of your sins and try to live a life that glorifies God?
If yes, then guess what? You're saved!
But not because of anything you did. Not because you, by the force of your will or the charm of your smile, can morph a dog into a cat, or change your sinful nature into one that desires only God.
You are saved because your name was written in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world, and because God wanted you, and nothing in His creation could keep you from Him.
Every soul that ends up in hell will be deserving of it. Do you disagree?
It's a simple question. Do you think anyone will be in heaven who does not deserve to be there?
No, that is called Open Theism, or Middle-Knowledge. It denies God's Omniscience.
Does deciding to make a bad batch esp for hell sound loving and just?
Whether you consider yourself a Predestinarian or an advocate of Free-Will that has to be the conclusion based on God's Perfect Omniscience.
And since God by His nature is Loving and Just then it has to be.
Did you mean to say "Do you think anyone will be in hell who does not deserve to be there?"
In your theology, you were responsible for Steven and you blew it. That is a difficult thing to accept and a responsibility God does not give to any mortal. I believe that his downward spiral could have been stopped if y'all were not so busy friendshipping and missing the guy getting led down the legalistic path to perdition. I do not spend time here but don't much like the attitudes I saw. If you want to help Steven then be a true friend and point out the heresy, what it is and why it is a wrong concept of God. The long knives after me make it something I cannot do here.
What has happened to you though? You used to be easy to debate with and listened to others. Now you seem so... I don't know, just different.
Is that what you would call that which goes on here?
If you notice this is not a salvation verse , nor does it say that this will save anyone.
From Matthew Henry
The prophets, who went before them, were the salt of the land of Canaan; but the apostles were the salt ofthe whole earth, for they must go into all the world to preach the gospel. It was a discouragement to them that they were so few and soweak. What could they do in so large a province as the whole earth?Nothing, if they were to work by force of arms and dint of sword; but, being to work silent as salt, one handful of that salt would diffuse its savour far and wide; would go a great way, and work insensibly and irresistibly as leaven, ch. 13:33. The doctrine of the gospel is as salt; it is penetrating, quick, and powerful (Heb. 4:12); it reaches the heart Acts 2:37. It is cleansing, it is relishing, and preserves from putrefaction. We read of the savour of the knowledge of Christ (2 Co. 2:14); for all other learning is insipid without that. An everlasting covenant is called a covenant of salt (Num. 18:19); and the gospel is an everlasting gospel. Salt was required in all the sacrifices (Lev. 2:13), in Ezekiel’s mystical temple, Eze. 43:24. Now Christ’s disciples having themselves learned the doctrine of the gospel, and being employed to teach it to others, were as salt. Note, Christians, and especially ministers, are the salt of the earth.
The question at hand is does your behavior save anyone?
They stopped dead right in the middle of their "teachings" their heresies and fled for the hills without finishing their work .Now if it makes you feel good to believe that there is nothing any of you can do to stop them ..go on... but snerkel and I pushed until they had to leave as they were without an answer.
If you want to let them spread their heresies..go right ahead and play helpless
I do not remember that posting that "joke" . Do I think this is a thread that belongs in the religious forum..no. It is more like Hobbits hole than it is apologetics . This is a thread that pretends doctrine and heresies just do not matter..it is a fellowship thread..
Did you hit the abuse button on us here, yesterday or today or know who did?
You have to be kidding me. I did not hit abuse on this thread. I rarely hit abuse on anyone (I think I have hit is maybe 10 times in the 8 or so years I have posted here.) All you have to do is think, who benefits by the "lets all get along" position and wins converts behind your back . That is the person that benefits by the current state of affairs ...now lets see who might that be cindy??? Just look at the post under your to see what I mean..
Then look at this to see who "called " the mod
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1095208/posts?page=2017#2017
Who has been led to Christ on any of the religious threads and has accepted Christ as their savior? No one answering this which may be ominous for all of us IMO
Why what do you care? Why is that suddenly an interest here? Of course there was at least one conversion right here and he is hoping for more here .
The real question should be how many people have been right on the football games or decided what kind of car or bike to buy here.
I can think of one off the cuff that was converted on FR and another that became a solid Christian after leaving a cult..I also know that several have moved doctrinally as a result of the religion forum .
I have read posts from people that say they have "lurked" on the religious threads for years and have benefited from them
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