[Forest Keeper]

FK: "... you are saying that we determine with our choices whether authority is from God. I believe that God determines exclusively on whom will rest all authority on earth. How does your model work?"

It works like the talents work. If we do good with His blessings in His name, then the talents He gave us are morally just. If we use them for our own profit and evil deeds, then God's blessings are squandered and morally void.

You are changing your position. Before, you said that our decision determined WHETHER the power was ever from God or not. Now you are saying that the power was always from God and what we do with it determines whether it was used for God's purposes.

In any event, we both now appear to agree that Pilate's power came from God. Did Pilate use his power against God's will or in accordance with it? Did God get what He wanted when Pilate pronounced final sentence? I would say the latter, and "yes".

[kosta50]

You are changing your position. Before, you said that our decision determined WHETHER the power was ever from God or not. Now you are saying that the power was always from God and what we do with it determines whether it was used for God's purposes

I am not changing anything, FK. The blessings are from God. What we do with God's blessings determines whether they reflect God's goodness or man's evil.