Posted on 11/14/2002 2:28:06 PM PST by The Grammarian
No, you have it wrong.
Here, think of it this way:
Not sure what you mean.
But beside this, it is easy to collect, from the sacred record in the early part of Genesis, brief as it is, no unimportant information of the theology which existed in the first family even prior to the sacrifice of Abel. That man was under law is certain; that death was the penalty of sin is equally certain. That the first pair sinned, and that they did not die, notwithstanding the law, were obvious facts. That the terms of their probation were changed, and that they were not shut out for ever from the Divine regard were circumstances equally clear; and also that they had means of approach to God, means of obtaining his favour, means of sanctification, means of obtaining eternal life, must also be necessarily inferred. Claims of justice and yearnings of mercy in GOD were seen at natural and legal variance and opposition; and if these were harmonized, and harmonized they were, or "the Lamb" could not be said to have been slain "from the foundation of the world," then must we suppose that there was some indication of this "wisdom of GOD" revealed for a practical end, the necessity of which must always have existed, to prevent despair on the one hand, and a presumptuous disregard of the Divine laws on the other. Though in figurative language, or symbolical action, the manifestation of this truth might be made, yet it must have been substantially made, or it could not have been practical and influential. A veiled truth, is yet a truth, though veiled. A shadow indicates the outline of the substance, though a shadow; and the sun, though shrouded with clouds, fills the hemisphere with light, though not with brightness, for day, however clouded, is far different from night. We cannot conceive of a theology at all suited, in any practical degree, to man's fallen state, unless it comprehend the particulars we have given, as well as the knowledge of the existence and perfections of God; and if we find an express indication of the evangelical method of saving man by the interposition of the incarnate Son of God, we may be sure that, at least all that this indication, when fairly interpreted, contains was known to Abel before he offered his sacrifice; and, both from the brevity of the narrative and the office of Adam as the teacher of religion to his children, we might also infer that this indication was matter of converse and explanation, though this latter consideration we shall not insist upon.(Watson's Theological Institutes, I.xxii.1334 [Wesleyan Heritage Library electronic copy]).
It is true, that some colour would be given to the contrary opinion, were it to be admitted, that this act of faith, followed by our justification, did indefeasibly settle our right to eternal blessedness by a title not to be vitiated by any future transgression; but this doctrine, which forms a part of the theory of the Calvinists, we shall, in its place, show to be unscriptural. It is enough here to say, that it has no connection with the doctrine of justification by faith alone, though so often ignorantly identified with it. Our probation is not terminated by our pardon. Wilful sin will infallibly plunge us again into condemnation, with heightened aggravations and hazards; and he only retains this state of favour who continues to believe with that same faith which brings back to him, not only the assurances of God's mercy, but the continually renewing influences of the Holy Spirit.(Institutes, I.xxiii.1424-5 [Wesleyan Heritage Library electronic copy]).
By God's grace, preceding, awakening, enabling, regenerating and sanctifying me. Why?
But how does He come to know you are an elect child of God?
This does not occur in a vacuum. Elect has a specific meaning ...to be selected
How did this happen?
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
When did God choose you , when did he chose to give you the grace to awaken you?
He's omniscient.
This does not occur in a vacuum. Elect has a specific meaning ...to be selected.
To be chosen, and the Greek word actually refers to drawing out boundaries; also, no one ever said that it occurred in a vacuum.
When did God choose you , when did he chose to give you the grace to awaken you?
If I couldn't give an exact date or time (which I certainly can't), it does not affect anything.
Calvinist Revision:
And God pointed to the Cross, and said to the Devil:
Ignoring the difference in Capitalization (line 1 vs. LINE 1) between your two sentences -- Yes.
God Elected to design your mind (incorporating all aspects of Nature, Nurture, the Fall, Circumstance, etc.) such that it would occur to you to write "(line 1) I just wrote LINE 1 above." Had He seen fit to do so, it was certainly within His power to design your mind such that it would occur to you to make the exact same point by writing "Abracadabra" rather than "(line 1)".
But, God did not ordain thusly. Rather, (incorporating all aspects of Nature, Nurture, the Fall, Circumstance, etc.) God ordained that you should write "(line 1)" --- just as He also ordained that a tornado should not hit your house and thus prevent you from writing "(line 1)".
Certainly, nothing happens outside the Ordination of God.
So does He know it before or after your choice? The Bible says he predestinated you ..do we throw that out?
This does not occur in a vacuum. Elect has a specific meaning ...to be selected.
To be chosen, and the Greek word actually refers to drawing out boundaries; also, no one ever said that it occurred in a vacuum.
Exactly so how did God decide to draw you out of the crowd?
When did God choose you , when did he chose to give you the grace to awaken you?
If I couldn't give an exact date or time (which I certainly can't), it does not affect anything.
I was not asking for a date certain..(althought the fact you do not have one is troublsome) I was asking you did God know your name before you were born?
Could you hum me a few bars
I can name that song in 3 notes!
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