[kosta50]

I will let Kolo respond to the homily of +J. Chrysostom. Consider, however, that God assures us He won't let anyone snatch us from His hands; it doesn't say that we can't fall from His hands, unless one subscribes to the morbid idea that we are just little robots.

I would also like to say here that having read so many Reformed and other Protestant views, it is no wonder the world is becoming secular or searching for alternate religions.

Having a God who makes 'illegitimate' children He wants nothing to do with but throw them into fire is not the kind of 'father figure' any civilized society would hold up as a model.

[Forest Keeper]

Consider, however, that God assures us He won't let anyone snatch us from His hands; it doesn't say that we can't fall from His hands, unless one subscribes to the morbid idea that we are just little robots.

You are building in a caveat that is neither stated nor implied. It doesn't say "no one else" or "no one besides the sheep himself". It just says "no one". If someone else tried to push your child off a cliff, why that would be terrible and you would step right in to save your child's life. However, if your child wanted to commit suicide and jump right in front of you, that would be fine I guess. God doesn't work that way, and the Bible doesn't say that He does. In fact it says just the opposite. God will gather His sheep together and they will follow Him. When one strays on his own, God goes back to get him, every time.

I would also like to say here that having read so many Reformed and other Protestant views, it is no wonder the world is becoming secular or searching for alternate religions.

Bush's fault.