Rick Otto
The Dude Abides
- Nov 19, 2002
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Thanks, yes well, I agree the gentile in-grafting was culture shock, no doubt.@
RickOtto - I don't want to get into a deep debate here, but I've been taking a closer look at some of those verses recently. I'd like to propose an alternative interpretation.
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." - Ephesians 1:3-6
For the sake of argument, consider the use of "us" to mean the Church, rather than individuals. The Ephesians were Gentiles. It's a pretty powerful thing to think about: God predestined not only Jews, but also Gentiles to be a part of the Church and therefore to be adopted as sons of God. This wasn't an afterthought. Rather, this was predetermined to occur from the foundation of the world.
So why are some predetermined to be adopted while others are not? God is all-knowing and is not bound by time. God foresaw who has and will accept His gift. Because of their future acceptance, He predetermined that they will be adopted as sons of God. Again, keep in mind that He predetermined that Gentiles who accept His gift, not just a Jews, were to be adopted as well.
The original interpretation you proposed does not work with many other scriptures. God desires all men to have eternal life! John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, 1 John 2:2
This is supported by the writings of the early Church Fathers.
St. Gregory Palamas explained this concept well:
St. Ireneous of Lyons
I am ambivalent about free will, though. "Free" is SO relative, however I am insistent on personal accountability, but not out of any interest in validating autonomy. I'm not sure I even have enough ambition to achieve autonomy.
I confess I don't have the popular minimum $50,000 to lure professional financial advisors with.
I have sort of cornered myself into trusting God.
I'm not just sayin' that, either. I viewed retirement as a cliff, but walking in faith has brought me new opportunities for post retirement employment in the area of my God-given talent.
Thanks for your contribution.
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