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Childish behavior |
Posted on 01/16/2013 8:57:49 AM PST by marshmallow
General audience, Benedict XVI defines the Incarnation as "something unimaginable, the face of God can be seen, the process that began with Abraham is fulfilled." The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he asks "for the great gift" to "proclaim together that Jesus is the Savior of the world."
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "The desire to know the face of God is in every man, even the atheists," but this desire is only realized by following Christ, in whom, in the Incarnation, "something unimaginable took place, the journey that began with Abraham is fulfilled. He is the Son, the fullness of all Revelation; the mediator who shows us the face of God. "
And "to proclaim together that Jesus is the Saviour of the world" Benedict XVI asked for incessant prayers for "the great gift" of Christian unity in the forthcoming week, which begins on the 18th of this month.
Previously, in his catechesis, he again reflected on the meaning of Christmas, in a commentary on John's Gospel in which the apostle Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. The answer of Jesus, "introduces us to the heart of the Church's Christological faith; For the Lord says: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9).This expression summarizes the novelty of the New Testament, the novelty that appeared in the cave of Bethlehem: God can be seen, he showed his face is visible in Jesus Christ".
The theme of "seeking the face of God" is present throughout the Old Testament, so much so that the Hebrew term "face", occurs no less than 400 times, 100 of which refer to God." The of Jewish religion which the religion forbids all images, "for God can not be depicted," and "can not be reduced to an object," tells us that "God...
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
They are the SAME message. What part of Deu 31:28 .......that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. DON'T you get?
Deut 30:19 "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE life, so that you and your children may live"
Because God says CHOOSE means there is a choice. Between LIFE and death. We know not ALL RECEIVE the GIFT of salvation even though that IS GOD'S PERFECT WILL because He died for ALL.
Does 'your church' teach - "Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism".
OR does it teach fallacy? That God 'picks' those to be saved.
I sense a lot of hostility in your posts.
Am I correct in that assessment?
God's WORD renewed my mind which softens the heart.
God did it ALL through His Holy Spirit inspired Word. I CHOOSE to 'hear and obey' because that is God's perfect will. He said follow ME. Where was everyone planning on going that He said follow Me but their 'own way'.
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to TEST and APPROVE what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will".
then how can you receive him unless God gives you a receptive heart?
So you are finally admitting that God GIVES. And we all know that not all RECEIVES.
Which comes first, the changing of the nature or the acceptance of Christ?
It's time for you to answer that question. It appears you are the one who claims responsibility for your sins and no responsibility for your salvation. Are you having a some trouble what 'order' it comes? Sounds more like you are under some 'law'.
First of all, stick with the subject as hand and don't change the subject because you are presented with TRUTH.
Secondly, you sound like the catholics when presented with TRUTH - even using the same words as they do.
Seems you are now hostile to TRUTH because the WORD shows you weren't 'picked'. You could have prevented that by READING and OBEYING. As long as you have breathe, you still have time. Time is God-GIVEN so use it wisely, some don't.
No, Deut 30 and 31 are not the same message. A long time ago preachers use to preach what was know as Law and Grace. Law sermons were simply reflecting on our corrupt nature measured against the Law, how we were unable to keep it. Grace sermons reflected on God's goodness. That is why you find "hell fire and brimstone" sermons and "lovey-dovey" type sermons. This is reflected in Deut 30 (grace) and Deut 31 (law). Sadly we find little if any information about Law and Grace today. It is all grace, grace, grace. I had to go back to Arthur W. Pink to find any mention of this.
Does 'your church' teach - "Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism". OR does it teach fallacy? That God 'picks' those to be saved.
So....let's start again....
Eve didn't have a choice. She was deceived. Do you believe people deliberately choose to go to hell? Please explain.
If by "God 'picks' those" you mean "God elects those" then that is precisely what the scriptures teaches. I would hope I would not go to a church that did not preach the word.
It appears my assessment of your hostility was correct.
Just what is it that you are so angry about?
From Rigor Mortis to soft and flaccid does not mean that the muscle is not still dead.
If I followed your logic, then if we kidnapped a person and stuck him in a room and blasted the bible on tape to him 24 hours a day seven days a week, eventually he would have such a soft heart that he would freely choose Christ.
Do you think that would work?
"He came to that which was His own, but His own did not RECEIVE Him." John 1:11
"Yet to all who RECEIVED Him, to those who believed in His Name, He GAVE the right to become children of God" --John 1:12
Salvation is a GIFT..."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast."
I read here how some are boasting - some about 'their' works and others who think they don't have to RECEIVE the GIFT for they were already picked/chosen.
God says we must receive. But if someone believes that they are picked, then they probably don't see the need to receive.
That could not work out well. Or that could work out not well.
Again? You are wrong. I never said anyone is going to purgatory because it is not scriptural. Why don't you know that?
Sadly we find little if any information about Law and Grace today. It is all grace, grace, grace. I had to go back to Arthur W. Pink to find any mention of this.
Another wrong. Next time go the God's WORD.
So....let's start again....Eve didn't have a choice. She was deceived.
Another wrong start. Adam/Eve could be only be deceived because they disobeyed God's Word. Take note.
If by "God 'picks' those" you mean "God elects those" then that is precisely what the scriptures teaches.
Don't attempt to put words in my mouth. Among others that you received...this is precisely what Scripture teaches - in Acts 10:34. Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism".
Do you believe people deliberately choose to go to hell? Please explain.
Along with Acts 10:34, you have been given MANY others Scripture. So no one can explain anything to you. Those itching ears of yours only want to hear somehow you are the 'elect'. Boast much?
Humble yourself OR live in pride - another CHOICE you have to make. Get busy with renewing your mind - time is short. You have company with those who think they need 'works' for salvation.
Very worldly aren't you? I'm speaking about the SUPERNATURAL WORD of GOD and that's not logic. But since you aren't familiar with God's Word, you assumed logic.
Post after post you've shown how ill informed you are and appear determined to stay the same; so, you are not allowed any more of my God-GIVEN time.
Exactly! Maybe 'their excuse' will be - but God I was DECEIVED - I thought I was the 'elect' - along with those with 'their excuse' - but God I was taught we needed works.
Not hearing and obeying God's Word has it's deadly consequences. God's Word is His Will and we know 'who' hates God's Word and who wants no one to follow His Will from Genesis 3.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Hmmmm. Perhaps I must have said something to P/$$ you off. If so, I apologize.
Perhaps I should rephrase my last comment.
The scriptures speak of God hardening hearts and replacing hearts. I don't recall seeing anything about softening hearts.
Can you show me a single scripture that would indicate that by reading the word of God a man's heart of stone can be softened such that it would make him more willing to follow Christ?
I can't seem to find any intermediary steps. As I understand scripture, God takes our hearts of stone and gives us new hearts. It is only after we have new hearts that we truly seek after God.
Since you don't think I know anything about scripture, perhaps you can take some of that God given time and enlighten me and the lurkers on the thread.
BTW I am a 62 year old veteran of the Jesus movement. I was an Arminian for about 40 of those years thinking, like you, that when I came to Christ it was because I decided to come to Christ. I only recently admitted to myself that it was Christ who chose me and not the other way around.
I know all the Arminian arguments. Check my posting history, I am a veteran of the Cal/Arm wars here and I spent years on these threads trying to dispute the Calvinist theology. Eventually God got it through my thick skull that I was kicking against the pricks and that the idea that I was in any way responsible for my own salvation was utter folly. It is all a work of God.
Nope. It's all about you.
I think it's the A you got in Constitutional Law that really turned His head. And He likes that you chose a house in the suburbs instead of the city.
Those are all why you're saved and the C student down the lane isn't.
/sarc
Perhaps your assessments are wrong and perhaps the more TRUTH I post is the reason for needing 'to scrutinize me' and ignore SCRIPTURE. It appears the TRUTH is repulsive to you - so apologize to God not me.
Ah gee, it didn’t take long for ‘making it personal’. But then it is night time and I’m posting to one who is disagreeing with God’s Word. It’s OK - I’m done with ‘those kind’ and God is a personal God.
Good night.
I decided to follow Jesus because....
I am sure that nearly all the non-Reformed posters would start their response with the word "I" and all the Reformed posters would start their response with the word "God".
As a person who apparently believes that people's salvation depends on their own personal experience and their personal attitude towards the gospel message, I would think that you would be a little more careful about the presentation of the Gospel that you are presenting on this Forum.
Aren't you the least bit concerned that by insulting someone you don't know anything about and accusing them of being repulsed by the truth, that YOU might actually turn someone against the Gospel and in turn be responsible for that person ending up in Hell?
For what it’s worth, PM, Arminius NEVER left Calvinism. He remained a professor of it at Leiden(?) his entire life. He always claimed to adhere to it. Essentially, he believed his appeal to the foreknowledge of God was in such a way that it did not go out of the bounds of God’s sovereignty.
The weakness of the foreknowledge position is that it still has you choosing Him even if it was before the creation. Therefore, you’re saved not by grace but by your good sense to figure it out and choose correctly.
The weakness of the foreordination position is that it is hard to conceive how God is not the author of sin when He foreordains all, but the foreordained creature retains personal responsibility for their foreordained behavior. It’s hard to see how someone is morally responsible for preprogrammed behavior.
So Arminius was not an Arminian.
IIRC Arminus’ theology was consistent with the Heidelburg Confession but not with the more strict Calvinist positions as set forth in the Westminster Confession.
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