Because God's revelation to me leads me away from myself and toward scriptures. Not just any scriptures, but uniquely the word of our God. I'm not led to the Koran or the BOM or anything else.
FK: "God's changing of the heart is the same."
Then you don't need scriptures. There goes the whole sola scriptura superstition.
No, when there is a change of heart it is to believe in something. That "something" coincides with the fundamentals of core Christianity. One cannot be a Christian without agreeing with these fundamentals. I think you have even said that before.
Trouble is, Reformed theology discards the biblical verse that says that satan can appear as the Angle of Light. He is craftier than we are, remember...?
I don't see any trouble because I cannot recall the verse that says that satan is more powerful than God. While satan can outwit me alone, satan cannot snatch me out of God's hands. He just can't do it.
FK: "In addition, he [Ghandi] claimed to be a Christian AND a Jew AND a Hindu, etc."
Because we are all created in God's image, or do you think that some humanity is not really "human?" do you think the reprobate are not "human?"
On earth, only humans can be reprobated, so they must be human. But do you really think that believing in a one-world religion that teaches partly Godly doctrine and partly un-Godly doctrine is a good example of humanity? Oh wait, now that I think about it, it is!. You are right. :)
Thanks for the Tolstoy link. I found the story to be very readable and interesting. For me, the money line of the whole thing was by the Chinaman, the hero of the story: "Can any temple compare with that which God Himself has built to unite all men in one faith and one religion?" That is a very prophetic statement, since at some time in the future a very wise man will say just that, and many will follow him. His name will be anti-Christ. :)
You have assurance that you will persevere? From what I know about you, you don't strike me as a violent man. But I am sure you could be driven to violence. Perhaps you are confusing God's perseverance with ours? I have no doubt God can persevere; but can we? I think history and daily news are full of examples that prove many can't.
I won't persevere because of me, I will because of God, so that could be considered God's perseverance. (He will persevere in the good work He began in me, etc.) I have no problem with that. ...... And yes, I absolutely could be driven to violence if I turn away from God to a certain degree. I have certainly lost my temper before as a Christian, so it's just a different level of the same thing.
See 2,618
No, when there is a change of heart it is to believe in something. That "something" coincides with the fundamentals of core Christianity
Christianity is based on the trinitarian God. When you come to believe (by change of heart or mind, whichever), you have no idea what you are believeing except that you realize there is God. So you just don't become a core Christian form the start. You are indoctrinated in it.
I don't see any trouble because I cannot recall the verse that says that satan is more powerful than God. While satan can outwit me alone, satan cannot snatch me out of God's hands
Have you ever heard of Adam and Eve?
And yes, I absolutely could be driven to violence if I turn away from God to a certain degree. I have certainly lost my temper before as a Christian, so it's just a different level of the same thing
Many a Christian has committed murder. But you believe those are already forgiven because Christ "paid" the bill. It is no wonder we have such a violent society, FK. It's based on the Protestant notion that no matter what one does, he is safe as long as you call on Jesus (it's that pecca fortiter again...).