If so be that we suffer with him, that we MAY be also glorified... If you don’t suffer with Him, then you may NOT be glorified together...
I have noticed that with Catholics every Biblical "may" is translated into "might". Obviously that is not the sole use of the word in the Bible, but I understand why it is needed to give man the most control and power. Nevertheless, then, you must think there are Christians who have not suffered for their faiths. I've never met one, nor have I ever heard of one. Have you? Do you believe the Bible teaches that some believers will lead care-free lives without ever being assaulted for their belief in the one True God. If you have never experienced this, then I would suggest that you do some thinking. :)
Remember the Judgment and those found to be unworthy based upon their deeds who are cast into the abyss created for the devil and all his minions.
Sure, sin results in eternal death. That's what the Bible says. Fortunately, God provides a way for His elect to escape that fate. We disagree on whether God could handle it Himself or whether He needed help.
***I have noticed that with Catholics every Biblical “may” is translated into “might”. Obviously that is not the sole use of the word in the Bible, but I understand why it is needed to give man the most control and power. ***
What Biblical scholarship do you bring that gainsays the Catholic translation, and the translation of the Church Fathers right back to the Apostles?
Either sin is of man or it is of God. If man is responsible for his sins, then he has to have some control over them. The Grace of God allows man, with his own free will, to determine whether he goes to hell or not.
God wants all to be saved; I understand that that passage has been excised from the Calvinist Bible, nevertheless, it does say that.
***Remember the Judgment and those found to be unworthy based upon their deeds who are cast into the abyss created for the devil and all his minions.
Sure, sin results in eternal death. That’s what the Bible says. Fortunately, God provides a way for His elect to escape that fate. We disagree on whether God could handle it Himself or whether He needed help.***
Oooooh, stepping lightly around that landmine to Calvinist theology, aren’t we? The frogmarching Holy Spirit absolves every Calvinist elect of any responsibility for anything that he does. Kind of a theological teenage wet dream, isn’t it? No matter what I do - drinking underage, stealing cars and crashing them, smoking pot, skipping school, vandalizing and burgling - there’s always Big Daddy to pull our wretched backsides out of the fire.
That’s the allure of Calvinism - the ducking of personal responsibility.