The cure read those passages again. John Calvin is not stating Christ died for all but that as we don't know who his children are we must preach the gospel to everyone urging them to seek salvation. We know from scripture that as we do this God will call his own and they will believe.
cure. what on earth are you talking about? God foreknew his own before the foundation of the world. He then as they were born into the world set about bringing them back to himself. Those he foreknew he predestined, called, sanctified and glorified. Simple scripture.
the cure: Where does Mr J quote from WCF? All I can see in his comment are verses of scripture. Mr J, I agree with you. The words "know" and "foreknow" are used in a special way in scripture. eg Adam certainly knew (had met) Eve before we're told he knew her and bore a son. In the same way I believe this verse in romans tells us that God knew us intimately before creation. He knew us and created all things and then called his people to himself.
the cure - Have you received a new heart, one that wants to do the will the God in replacement of the heart of stone that did not want to even know God?
Neil When did mid week study groups become a duty imposed on them? If the study is in the Bible I for one want to be there if possible. Whenever we meet other Christians the time is often spent in discussion of scripture we've read through the week. This often leads to impromptu Bible studies - not an imposition at all. Sunday worship is still vital but for some impossible (doctors, nurses, and many mines work week on, week off) These midweek studies often become their time of meeting together for worship and fellowship.
fuzzy logic, we also have begun reading scripture regularly - from beginning to end. In the last few years we've been through the library many times and are continually astonished at how ignorant we are of where people and places fit in. Scripture is so often preached out of context or with little regard to the context that it's amazing we know as much as we do after 50yrs+. Praise God for those faithful ministers who preach whole books right through and do not go off on modern tangents of often wayward man made theology.
I'm still waiting for an explanation of Is 45:6-7 "...I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things" Read the whole section please and explain to me where your idea of judgement only fits.
JD wrote "God does not require one to be elected, regenerated, or predestinated to be saved. He requires one to believe and the fact of your denials indicates that you men have not believed the gospel that Christ died for the sins of all men and all men can be saved."
This is a straight out contradiction of many different scriptures-including Jesus own words. John 17:6
JD you are always saying all means all (everyone), so why does it suddenly mean a remnant of Jews and not all of them. Whereas if you take what Paul says literally. Israel means the people who believe and have faith from both the Jews and the gentiles. Then it can mean all - all the believing ones. Have you reread Romans 9
JD I agree entirely - all Israel will be saved. Who is Israel? It cannot be the nation Israel as we are given many occasions in Scripture of the people of Israel falling away and being condemned eg families of Korah Numbers 16:32-33 or the Pharisees in Jesus own day who did not believe or all those Jews since the resurrection who have rejected Jesus Christ. Scripture itself tells us who Israel is Romans 9:3 - 11. Read this passage carefully.
His Word says He is the author and finisher of our faith. He wrote it and He completes it. Without God working in us to do His good pleasure none of us would believe. We are all seeking our own pleasure not His.
WOMI Explain how the context of Isaiah 45 is about judgement. The only judgement I see is that of the clay going against its maker. God is stressing in this chapter that "I am the LORD and there is none else, there is no God beside me; I girded thee, though thou hast not known me." Cyrus was so impressed he not only let Israel go but helped them to reestablish themselves.
2/23/08 3:42 PM
2/19/08 3:48 PM
