As for the issue of predestination, I clearly understand Mr. Rogers' view. This is seldom taught any longer. My journey to the predestination side has to do with the question posed by St. Cyprian to Augustine, "What have you received that has not been given to you?" The real answer to this penetrating question is, in fact, everything has been given to us including our ability to repent, our faith, and the wisdom that comes from above. If one truly wants to acknowledge that God has provided these things, they cannot help but believe in predestination as St. Augustine rightfully concluded. I would recommend Mr. Roger read, A Treatise on the Predestination of the Saints by St Augustine which, in my opinion, gives the most pointed argument for Predestination. It doesn't escape me that people dismiss this treatise without rebuttal much like people saying global warming is "settled science".
And as for Mr. Rogers complaint from his wife that he spends too much time posting, I can fully sympathize with his dilemma and his wife's complaint. Sometimes one has to simply slip away and enjoy a good cup of egg nog and a Christmas cookie with the one they love. :O)
Oh, but it can be educational! :)
Well, you didn't look hard enough, HD. Post #1416 states "It is their unbelief...and Jesus has no more interest in giving in to their stupidity now than he did when the Samaritan woman pretended to be dense.]
Please remember that the Orthodox teaches, "...that when man fell he did not receive Adam's sin and guilt - but his punishment, which is corrupt human nature." Original Sin-an Orthodox View
No, that's the teaching of some probably Protestant-turned-Orthodox OCA grenius who didn't leave his Protestant mindset outside when he decided to become Orhtodox. That's the problem with Orthodoxy in America...they just don't get it becausethey still have their Protestants goggles on.
The real Orthodox Church teaches that corrupt human nature is a consequence of Adm's sin, a terminal illness that is passed (infects) on to all Adam's offspring, and salvation is spiritually healing, or restoring humanity to their original state, in the likeness of God (Christlike), or theosis. Please don't quote to me anything that has to do with OCA because as fra as I am cocerned they are not an Orthodox Church (yet). And no other Orthodox Church except Russian recognizes it as such.
As for the issue of predestination, I clearly understand Mr. Rogers' view. This is seldom taught any longer
I am glad to hear that, but nevertheless the Bible says God gives you faith or God doesn't give you faith. He either hardens your heart or he doesn't. I imagine it has become obvious even to hard-core Reformists that double predestination just doesn't have much appeal these days, so perhaps not teaching it is a good call. The Bible says nothing about our ability to choose if we come to Jesus. Jesus in the Bible says no one comes to him unless the Father gives someone to him. Of course that makes Jesus' rants about not believing him kinda silly, doesn't it?