Is that a fact? Let's be serious, okay. By your logic, no one can be sanctified unless thoroughly tested.
As I'm sure you are aware, Christians have very different experiences while here on earth
I don't know. I have noting else to comapre it to. Do you?
God is active and involved
Oh, yes, of course, all over the place! There are at least several billion sightings of God every day. Please stop making unsubstantiated claims. Prove your statements. Imagine that you are first century Christian, without a bible in your hand, trying to convince an eastern barbarian that God is active to the point that this barbarian will be ready to be eaten by lions and be tested unto death for this faith!
He doesn't just sit back and "wait" (within time, plus nudging, plus chance) for the outcome of men's decisions, as the Apostolic position holds
Is that a fact too? Please show me, and when you do I will show you that I can walk through the walls and levitate...on pink unicorns from Jupiter.
Once a low level true faith is established by God (salvation), then sanctification begins and we move toward a higher level. This movement not only benefits us personally in our personal relationship with God, but it also makes us more useful to God to accomplish His plan for us as individuals. A fully saved person can and will always grow in Christ
Really, you don't say? And where is this all spelled out, or are you just making it up as you go along?
Now we come to the heart of the problem...
You imagine it is a sound argument that “convinces” someone to turn toward Christ. This is a wrong assumption. It is the Holy Spirit that works in an individual to turn him from death to life ever after. There is no “Convincing” as if a strong argument will change a person, There is no slogan, or good work, or positive thinking involved at all. If this were so, all it would take is a great campaign slogan and maybe give them a few dollars and they become believers. You would have as much success in a graveyard as you would anywhere else.
***Really, you don’t say? And where is this all spelled out, or are you just making it up as you go along?***
The Epistles... but then again, you don’t believe them, so what’s the use on arguing?
Is that a fact? Let's be serious, okay. By your logic, no one can be sanctified unless thoroughly tested.
I didn't give you any logic. I have never said or implied any such thing as you have suggested. Testing helps with sanctification, it doesn't define it.
FK: "He doesn't just sit back and "wait" (within time, plus nudging, plus chance) for the outcome of men's decisions, as the Apostolic position holds."
Is that a fact too? Please show me, and when you do I will show you that I can walk through the walls and levitate...on pink unicorns from Jupiter.
Your pattern is to define all reality into mystery, and then claim that your personal fantasy is plausible BECAUSE it is also mystery. I reject that approach.
FK: "Once a low level true faith is established by God (salvation), then sanctification begins and we move toward a higher level. This movement not only benefits us personally in our personal relationship with God, but it also makes us more useful to God to accomplish His plan for us as individuals. A fully saved person can and will always grow in Christ."
Really, you don't say? And where is this all spelled out, or are you just making it up as you go along?
I re-read my own comment three times, and then I read your response three times. I'm still shaking my head. :) I cannot FATHOM what you would find offensive in what I said. Even if you don't agree to the micro-point, I KNOW I didn't say anything an Orthodox should recoil at the way you did.