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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Thank you for the context of Jesus' words.

You are welcome.

They support the Scriptural, Protestant position of what is required for salvation.

Negative. There is no single Protestant position of what is required for salvation. To the Reformed, the only requirement is that you have been chosen for salvation before time began by God Almighty. Everything else after that is window dressing. To others such as the LDS, salvation is strictly earned by the individual. For the Catholics, we open the door to accept God's Grace and thereafter, we do our best with His Grace to imitate Christ so that when we are Judged, He will have mercy upon us.

"Be not afraid; only believe." -- Mark 5:36

The point is to believe in Christ - the Christ of the Gospels.

It's not rocket science. Jesus didn't ruminate like some RC apologists here post -- endless diatribes and convoluted reasoning and baseless suppositions and argumentative non-rebuttals. Nope. Jesus was succinct. Clear. Concise.

Negative again, at times. Jesus spoke in parables. Not succinct, clear or concise. At times Jesus was very direct.

And those given eyes to see and ears to hear will not be afraid, and they will believe Him.

Negative again, at times.

Matthew 13: 18 8 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. 21 But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. 22 The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. 23 But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

There are many given eyes to see and ears to hear that accept for a time, and then fall away.

Matthew 24: 10 And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; 12 and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Each man is given sufficient grace by God. What will each man do with it?

Matthew 25: 14 6 "It will be as when a man who was going on a journey 7 called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; 8 to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two.

18 9 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. 10 He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' 22 (Then) the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.' 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' 26 His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! 11 So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.

29 12 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 13 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'

Nobody gets to Heaven on his own, but each man can reject God's free gift of Heaven by his deeds.

As God wills.

What does God will? 1 Timothy 2: 1 1 First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, 2 for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. 3 This is good and pleasing to God our savior, 4 who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

This is what God wills. Jesus says: John 12: 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world 18 will be driven out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."

This is what God wills. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to each other with Scripture.

7,326 posted on 08/06/2010 4:42:34 PM PDT by MarkBsnr ( I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.)
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To: MarkBsnr
There is no single Protestant position of what is required for salvation.......To others such as the LDS,.

Please stick with Christians.

7,360 posted on 08/06/2010 7:23:50 PM PDT by xone
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