Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: xzins
The 2 Assumptions:
1. Send Missionary with message of Christ.
2. Immediate forgivenss without message of Christ.

You have stated #2 too strongly. I am not saying that everyone is forgiven immediately without hearing of Christ. But rather, that the possibilty exists for one who truly uses his best light to search for God and follow the law on his heart. This is extremely difficult to acheive without knowing of Christ, but I do not think it impossible.

1. Send Missionary -
a. Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Again, I am not arguing that we should not evangelize or that God does not desire so. I yield this point easily.

b. 12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,

And? A door was opened. So what? How does this make your argument?

c. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Is the only way Christ comes to people through evangelising done by other Christians? Or could Jesus operate on someone outside of this? Even if they knew not the name?

As you can see, a list of evidence (preliminary) does support the first assumption. Can you come up with evidence for the 2nd assumption?

The only evidence available for my notion is the idea, rejected by all fine Calvinists, that God is merciful and just, not capricious and arbitrary.

SD

764 posted on 10/03/2002 7:06:36 AM PDT by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 761 | View Replies ]


To: SoothingDave
You are mistaken. I am not a calvinist.

Here is the evidence for your assumption.

2. Immediate forgiveness without message of Christ.

a. Romans 2: 11 For God does not show favoritism. 12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

b. 2 Peter 3: 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

c. 1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The above is evidence that you can use, IMHO. Why did you think I am a calvinist?

767 posted on 10/03/2002 7:20:58 AM PDT by xzins
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 764 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson