RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS:
1. I tried to make this point in my above responses to your comments, but I will again here state that the issue is not that God “cannot” give revelation, the issue is “has He” given new revelation? I would argue that He has not, based on the completeness of His revelation in Scripture (with it we lack nothing, 2 Tim 3:17), and the unconvincing arguments made for those who support the alleged prophecies of Joseph Smith.
2. The purpose of life is to Glorify God. God created mankind to bring Himself glory. This is what makes idolatry so heinous, it is a complete reversal of what we were created to do. Furthermore, all men will ultimately glorify God. Some will do so by being objects of His mercy and grace, and others as being objects of His justice (Romans 9:20-24).
3. When God created the world, it was “very good”. Yet, after the fall, God was angry because man had done the very thing God hated, which was to deny his word and to desire to be his own god (the serpent told Eve, “You will be like God”). As a result, the world has fallen under the curse, which we see all around us. God has a purpose in all that He has decreed to do and to allow, and His reasoning is moral and good, even though we are bound by the flesh and unable to see His plan.
4. This is one of the most difficult things I ever have to consider, but nonetheless, I cannot escape the words of Christ. My comfort comes from a passage in the Old Testament which says, “Will not the judge of the universe do right?” I believe He will. My confidence is that no one in Hell will be there who is not supposed to be, and I will understand this when I meet the Lord.
In addition, if Mormonism is true, it is in the minority among the world’s religions, yet it still demands allegiance for a person to be saved. How is it that you are not bound by the same concern for your own religion’s teachings?
5. I believe in the teaching of the Bible called “Total Depravity” which basically is that man cannot and will not come to Christ without an act of God in changing the heart. As such, I do believe that I genuinely come to faith in Christ, but that this coming is initiated by God changing my heart, without which I could not be saved. I have preached on this, and my message might help clarify. http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=26111451205
6. I have some questions, but will need to get to them later. I apologize, but I need to go at this point.
In Christ,
Keith |
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