I agree that this does highlight some of our bigger differences. If you belong to the RCC, then you must also belong to the Pope. I do not belong to the Pope. :) I also note that many Catholics refer to "Our Mother" in a theological sense. Finally, we have this:
John 20:27-29 : 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Jesus did not appear to have any problem with this saying.
I thought that the indwelling knowledge passed on by the Holy Spirit was enough. Are you saying that the Holy Spirit is insufficient to move mens’ hearts and souls and that the creation, production, dissemination and preaching of the Bible by men to other men is required for salvation? Ooooh, I think that we’re verging on a works based system with a very weak Holy Spirit. I don’t think that Calvin would approve, FK.
The Holy Spirit is fully capable of converting men's hearts who would never have access to the written word, and presumably He has done so. However, under the normal course the Spirit will convert a heart and then see to it that the person HEARS the word and then believes. In either case, no works of men are done or needed, and God gets all the credit.
Mechanical rote. Oh, can you name me an instance of the non elect to preach the word to the elect? How does that mechanism work anyway? Does the elect hear the Gospel (or Paul anyway) and then all of a sudden the Light of the Holy Spirit gets clicked on and all this indwelling knowledge, or some of it, or something, comes pouring into one’s soul, or brain, or kidneys?
I'm just noting the principle that anyone can SAY the word without actually believing in it. We could hire an actor, etc. Nevertheless, if that was the particular time God had ordained for an elect to start believing then it would happen. In the same way, surely there are clergy on all sides who are not of the elect. They say the right words, but are not believers themselves.
How does the Reformed explain the failure of Israel to accept Christ? Is that part of God’s flawless ‘plan’?
Yes, to the extent they did not accept Him that was a part of God's plan. God alone chooses who are to be His. In addition, I don't think that every last man of Israel was lost, but it does seem clear that many were.
God wills that all men be saved. If they aren’t, it is because they will be Judged to be one of the goats and not one of the sheep. The Judgement is on deeds, you must admit, or does your Bible need even more pages restored?
There is A judgment on deeds, but the judgment to get into Heaven is by grace through faith, and not by works. God decides who are the goats and who are the sheep.
***If you belong to the RCC, then you must also belong to the Pope. I do not belong to the Pope.***
The Pope is the servant of the servants of God. I do not belong to him either. More backwards possessive?
***I also note that many Catholics refer to “Our Mother” in a theological sense. ***
It’s only Scriptural - Our Lord giving us to Mary from the Cross. Theological nonsense, I suppose.
***The Holy Spirit is fully capable of converting men’s hearts who would never have access to the written word, and presumably He has done so. However, under the normal course the Spirit will convert a heart and then see to it that the person HEARS the word and then believes. In either case, no works of men are done or needed, and God gets all the credit.***
The normal course? Sees to it that the person hears the word and believes? No works of men are done or needed?
Are we embarking on a magical mystery tour?
***Yes, to the extent they did not accept Him that was a part of God’s plan. God alone chooses who are to be His. In addition, I don’t think that every last man of Israel was lost, but it does seem clear that many were.***
How do you know it was God’s plan? We have every evidence that He tried sincerely to get Israel to accept Him. And failed.
***A judgment on deeds, but the judgment to get into Heaven is by grace through faith, and not by works. God decides who are the goats and who are the sheep.***
If you read the NT, it is our deeds that are judged. God decides who are the goats and the sheep based upon what we have done or not done.
Once we have received the Grace of God, like the parable of the talents, it is up to us what we do with it.