[computerjunkie]

Great question in #82, angelo: "can you briefly summarize from your perspective what the differences are between your beliefs and Mack's? Is it just the predestination thing, or is there more?" I've had the same question myself a time or two!

RnMomof7's answer: "So to me the order is..regeneration (born again), repentance ,conversion (saved) To Mack and Becky the order would be repentance,conversion (saved), regenerated into a new creature..(born again)"

RnMomof7 in #79: "We agree that without Christ man is lost..we agree that Jesus is the way..."

My question (most likely a stupid question, but my question nonetheless): So if the end result is the same (assurance of salvation and where we will spend eternity), what difference does the "order of salvation" make? (Why do I have the sneaking hunch I'm gonna be sorry I asked that??!!) :)

[CCWoody]

The false gospel sows spiritual tares and chaff into the church, loving them all the way to hell. The true gospel of Calvinism does not. In fact, Jesus, preaching on Predestination actually drove people away.

[RnMomof7]

We are to rightly divide the word of God..so our doctrinal stands are not incidental..So that is why we have the doctrinal wars:>)

[RochesterFan]

My question (most likely a stupid question, but my question nonetheless): So if the end result is the same (assurance of salvation and where we will spend eternity), what difference does the "order of salvation" make? (Why do I have the sneaking hunch I'm gonna be sorry I asked that??!!) :)

You ask a legitimate question. The answer is important because it helps us truly understand the grace and love of God and our truly desperate need. 1 Cor 2:14 shows us the extent of the radical depravity we had as natural men,

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Note the inability to understand. This leads us to ask, "how can a man in such a state understand God's message concerning his radical depravity and have a change of mind ( = repentance) to think about his condition the same way God does. The answer is he needs a heart transplant (see Ezek 36:26) The Bible calls this regeneration. This regeneration permits us to confess "Jesus is Lord." Does this make sense?

[malakhi]

My question (most likely a stupid question, but my question nonetheless): So if the end result is the same (assurance of salvation and where we will spend eternity), what difference does the "order of salvation" make? (Why do I have the sneaking hunch I'm gonna be sorry I asked that??!!) :)

Not a stupid question; in fact, it is a very good question.