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To: winstonchurchill
The only reason I come out to participate is because the Calvinist construct presents the very grave danger of dissuading the unknowing from investigating Christ because they might believe the fatalistic nonsense the construct pedals, i.e. that nothing we do with Christ makes any difference. It is not only heretical but potentially fatal heresy as well.

Winston, I did not know God, I did not want to know God, I did not know what was in the bible, I did not want to know what was in the bible. I did not know the plan of Salvation or what repentance was.Then God gave me a new heart. suddenly I wanted to know Him more than anything . His word was like a love letter....I read and I read. I asked Him who was Jesus ? He showed me my sin, and I fell to my knees..Winston I was saved in my Bathroom .

Salvation is not an intellectual event. It is a moment of grace.

I believe we have been given an opportunity to present the gospel..no one knows how God will choose to act in anothers life.But I do not believe that you can interfere with the salvation or block the salvation of another.

If we rely on our own ability to present the gospel in an attractive appealing way ...we are bound to present a false gospel. Taking up your cross will never garner alot of converts:>)

621 posted on 02/28/2002 2:16:14 PM PST by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7
Salvation is not an intellectual event. It is a moment of grace.

It certainly the result of grace, but to say thtat is not to remove the decision of the will. I do believe it is an "event", i.e. there is a time in space/time history when we come to Christ and accept Him. Within the capacity of each of us, it is an act of the will and, so in some sense, an act of the "intellect".

Not "intellectual" in some "I know the secret handshake" kind of theology, but a decision nonetheless. God balances but never overwhelms our will.

As to 'interferring with' or 'blocking' salvation, we don't know the extent to which our acts of evil could adversely affect others, but Christ certainly implies the possibility: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves." This is Luke's account, the other two synoptics tell us that this applies to those "who believe in me". So our potential to "interfere" exists. In view of the penalty involved, I don't think we need to pinpoint the fine Calvinist line as to how far we can go before we do eternal harm. Christ wasn't kidding.

631 posted on 02/28/2002 2:31:49 PM PST by winstonchurchill
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