I would not venture to guess the fates of these and others which have done similarly.
I am content to leave their fates to God.
First, why are the fates of these priests exempt from the discussion at hand, while it seems okay for some to condemn others in this thread?
I thought the discussion was if we could tell if someone were truly saved or not by their fruits/works.
Being priests, one might naturally think that they had been 'saved'. So, my question using these priests as an example is can we determine if they were ever truly saved based on their behavior? These men that are supposed to be full of Christ???
I, too am content with leaving the ultimate decision to God. Too bad others aren't so willing to leave the condemning to God.
I merely brought these priests up to see if the example would help in determining if people can indeed lose their salvation, or if by their works/fruits we could determine that they may not have ever been truly saved to begin with.
I would not venture to guess the fates of these and others which have done similarly. I am content to leave their fates to God.
First, why are the fates of these priests exempt from the discussion at hand, while it seems okay for some to condemn others in this thread?
I thought the discussion was if we could tell if someone were truly saved or not by their fruits/works.
Being priests, one might naturally think that they had been 'saved'. So, my question using these priests as an example is can we determine if they were ever truly saved based on their behavior? These men that are supposed to be full of Christ???
Well, I believe that, quite obviously, if one were to look at this particular fruit which you speak of, ... that one could, justifiably, conclude (though, perhaps, erroneously), that these men were not saved.
However, as I ponder on the ramifications of such a conclusion, ... it, inevitably, leads into very deep waters ...
I have ventured the proposition before, that there are some things might not be possible for christians to do, based on the certainty of a choice for God (or by God) being made at some point in their past.
That there are some things that are, simply, too un-christian for christians to do ...
But then I think of David, who, though, certainly in God's service, committed gross immorality (i.e. the murder of Uriah). That God punished David severely for his sin only further indicates that David was, indeed, his.
So, when I embark upon a seeking to know the mind of God on such 'border-line' situations as these (another has to do with God's disposition towards those who did not hear the gospel in their earthly lifetimes...), ... I quickly find myself giving up such a pursuit, and resting in the belief that God has it all worked out for the best.
I, too am content with leaving the ultimate decision to God. Too bad others aren't so willing to leave the condemning to God.
I merely brought these priests up to see if the example would help in determining if people can indeed lose their salvation, or if by their works/fruits we could determine that they may not have ever been truly saved to begin with.
I understand your intent. It may be, however, that citing such examples brings us no closer to the answers we seek.