Classical Protestant Resurgence: how the PCA got its mojo back

The Aquila Report ^ | 24 May 2010 | Chris Hutchinson

[MrPiper]

God will forgive you. He's got the door open for you.

No he does not,, I have looked for him for over 30 yrs,, he does not exist.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, I understand why you think that.

[Celtic Cross]

Pardon me, but...Looked where?

And a little off topic, but if God doesn't exist, where did the universe and everthing and everyone in it come from?

[MrPiper]

And a little off topic, but if God doesn't exist, where did the universe and everthing and everyone in it come from?

universe has all ways been there......People been here way more than 5000 yrs. Did people 10,000 yrs ago go to heaven before there was a bible? What about 20,000 yrs ago?

[Gamecock]

How does this believe in predestination tie in evangelizing? I mean, if some people were chosen at the beginning of time to go to heaven, and some are chosen to go to hell, what does it matter whether they're even Christian or not if their already chosen? If they're already predestined, what need is there for them to be religious?

That is a great question!

Couple of points:

1. We know that the elect are out there. We sow the seeds, the Holy Spirit acts on those who are elect. It is often said that true Calvinists preach the Gospel promiscuously to all persons, aware that God alone knows those who belong to Him.
2. In scripture we see that God uses us to spread the Gospel to the elect.
3. We are commanded to spread the Gospel.
4. It has been said that if God had painted a yellow stripe up the backs of the elect, we would go around lifting up coats and preaching only to those with the stripe. We don't know who the elect are, so we preach to all. (widely attributed to Spurgeon, but there are no primary sources to prove that.)

Hope that helps.

[Gamecock]

Perhaps you’ve looked in the wrong places.

[Celtic Cross]

How do you know the earth has been around that long?

And anyway, no, people did not go to heaven back then. Good people went to shalom. After Jesus opened The Gates of Heaven with His incredible sacrifice, the people in shalom went to heaven.

[Gamecock]

***universe has all ways been there***

Both science and Christianity say you are wrong. There was a starting point.

[MrPiper]

. We know that the elect are out there.

So the rest of us need not bother with church.... you're right.. I'm heading to a bar to get a drink......

[dangus]

>> A church that is faithful to the Gospel is growing, and you don’t care? <<

I mean this literally: Too bad the article is a work of fiction. I’d love to read that the PCA really was replacing the PCUSA as the largest Presbyterian Church in the United States, but the reality is that the PCUSA is seven times larger, and even by 2020, or 2050, the trends don’t support the notion that’s gonna happen.

[MrPiper]

Perhaps you’ve looked in the wrong places.

Yep,, churches and the bible,, where else is there to look?

[MrPiper]

Both science and Christianity say you are wrong. There was a starting point.

well neither can prover either, so whats you point?

[Gamecock]

So the rest of us need not bother with church....

Often the elect don't even know they are elect, until the have been regenerated.

you're right.. I'm heading to a bar to get a drink......

Go ahead. It may interest you to know that Jesus was a bartender at a Jewish wedding. BTW, try a Belgium Ale. Many of them are just fabulous.

[Gamecock]

I have seen projections that by 2030 the PCA will have over a million members. Based on the rate the PC(USA) is imploded it may happen long before them.

(BTW, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me)

[Gamecock]

Just like you can’t prove yours. So what’s your point?

[Celtic Cross]

Look at the earth around you. Everything eventually passes away. People come into this earth, stay for a little while, and die. In the grand scheme of things, our stop over on earth is tiny. The earth is not forever.

There had to have a been a starting point, A Creator, A Being beyond even the human ability to perceive in terms of existence and non-existence.

Otherwise known as God.

[MrPiper]

Often the elect don't even know they are elect, until the have been regenerated.

LOL!!!!I will be shocked to be "regenerated"...LOL!!!!When I die......please just leave me alone........

[MrPiper]

Just like you can’t prove yours. So what’s your point?

The point is the church is a waste of time unless it can prove there is a god or a heaven.

[P8riot]

As a PCA deacon, I wholeheartedly agree.

As a matter of fact, we issued over $50,000.00 last year to needy members from our Benevolence fund. We have helped folks with car and home repairs, medical bills, etc..., and a few of our members were facing foreclosure until we helped them out. Sure giving is way down due to the economic climate, but God provides.

[Celtic Cross]

Leave you alone? Mate, you did come on to a religion thread and start sounding off first.