Replies

***You are forgetting that it is God’s INTENTION to use His elect to reach others of His elect. So, in some cases my action is indeed required because that is what God planned. The cause of my action is wholly God, but it is still necessary for God’s plan to be fulfilled. That is the use of my preaching.***

Curious. Where does the Holy Spirit come in utilizing this methodology? Are you merely mechanically doing things that seem right to you just in case God wills it?

***When we preach to the non-elect, we also benefit from the experience, and the non-elect probably benefits from the interaction as well. ***

Probably? The Reformed non elect are going to hellfire and damnation forever. How in the world could they benefit?

***I really DO believe that if I drop a hammer it will fall. So, I have no idea what you’re talking about.***

There is a vast difference between belief and knowledge. I think that it might appear to be a factor in some of the discussions and disagreements that go on here.

I believe in God, the Father almighty...

I know that the sun rises in the east.

FK: ***You are forgetting that it is God’s INTENTION to use His elect to reach others of His elect. So, in some cases my action is indeed required because that is what God planned. The cause of my action is wholly God, but it is still necessary for God’s plan to be fulfilled. That is the use of my preaching.***

Curious. Where does the Holy Spirit come in utilizing this methodology? Are you merely mechanically doing things that seem right to you just in case God wills it?

I'm not sure what you're asking. For all the good we do, God wills it. That includes preaching. God is the first cause. It is not that God "agrees" with us when we choose to do good. God made the choice first, and then we carried it out.

The Reformed non elect are going to hellfire and damnation forever. How in the world could they benefit?

You seem to think that tying one's shoes in the morning has salvific implications. :) Of course any benefits to the non-elect, all non-elect including Catholic non-elect, would only be of any use during this life. All of the non-elect share the same eternity, but they obviously have very different qualities of lives here on earth.

There is a vast difference between belief and knowledge. I think that it might appear to be a factor in some of the discussions and disagreements that go on here. I believe in God, the Father almighty... I know that the sun rises in the east.

I would say that I know both. In fact, I would be MORE surprised if there was no God than if the sun didn't rise tomorrow.