Does God So Love the World? (John MacArthur)

OnePlace.com ^ | July 21, 2005 | John MacArthur

[connectthedots]

That is correct, so one could not say that it either was or was not predestined.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"The Purpose Driven Salvation"

All those bright lights and flattering make-up can go to one's head.

[connectthedots]

But life unfolds exactly as God wills.

Permissive or determinative?

[ksen]

True, but that verse is not used to help prove or disprove God's Election or Predestination. The verse is there to serve as an example of what we, as Believers, ought to do even in the face of opposition......serve God.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

There is no such thing as God's "permissive" will. It is an illusion of man's ego.

Whatever God "permits" He has already ordained from before the foundation of the world.

Or else it would be different.

He's God.

[ksen]

Permissive or determinative?

I don't buy that God has two wills.

[RnMomof7]

Jhn 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Jhn 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

[suzyjaruki]

Do you love Saddam Hussein in the same way that you love Mrs. b-d? An unselfish, giving love?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I don't buy that God has two wills.

Amen.

IMO this should be one of the easier truths to understand.

And one of the more comforting ones. If my child were to die, my only hope and strength would be to know that God was in control and bringing him home to Him.

[connectthedots]

So you think God has determined what you will be eating for dinner, two months from now?

[stuartcr]

I agree completely. How can true free will really exist, if life unfolds as God wills...unless our will, is the same as God's?

[Frumanchu]

Maybe he has a book coming out "The Purpose Driven Salvation"

If Romans 8:28-20 was involved, I'd pick it up! :)

Look, MacArthur merely pointed out one Reformed theologian, A.W. Pink, who he felt "took the corollary ["Nothing but His own sovereign will governs His love"] to far" in stating that God "does not love everybody."

He rightly pointed to several Reformed theologians (including Calvin) who ostensibly disagree with Pink's conclusions.

Some of us have no problem whatsoever stating our disagreements with Calvin on certain verses or doctrines and expressing our opinion that he is wrong about something, but when MacArthur states a disagreement with Pink in this article he's accused of an "ad hominem attack that was completely unnecessary?"

[Dr. Eckleburg]

And would blue-duncan give his life for Saddam Hussein the same way I would assume he would give his life for Mrs. blue-duncan or his children?

[stuartcr]

You don't believe God capable of this?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Everything is predestined.

Or else there is no God.

[RnMomof7]

Permissive or determinative?

Nothing happens out side of the will of God. He knows how many hairs in your brush this morning CTD

God, unlike man, does not have a "permissive will" For His determination to permit something is an affirmative action that can NEVER be changed. His inaction ordains it, so it is determinative.

[Frumanchu]

LOL!

[P-Marlowe]

How do you figure? nobdysfool and I agree with MacArthur, Harley and rw disagree.

I think ksen is on the side of AW Pink. That makes Pink the majority opinion so far.

[RnMomof7]

Our generation's imbalanced view of God cannot be corrected by an equal imbalance in the opposite direction, a very real danger in some circles. I'm deeply concerned about a growing trend I've noticed-particularly among people committed to the biblical truth of God's sovereignty and divine election. Some of them flatly deny that God in any sense loves those whom He has not chosen for salvation. I am troubled by the tendency of some-often young people newly infatuated with Reformed doctrine-who insist that God cannot possibly love those who never repent and believe. I encounter that view, it seems, with increasing frequency.

He took a shot at reformed believers that was unnecessary and served no purpose but to please the likes of those that want to say or imply that we have a misplace zeal.

That was self serving and mac deserves to have it pointed out it did not escape our notice

[P-Marlowe]

Oops. Seems I left out RNMom. Looks like you and nobdysfool are a shrinking minority. The GRPL seems firmly planted in the AW Pink camp.