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Right to it... Determinism unapologetically makes all of Creation specifically performing God’s will.

The Devil is merely an extension of God’s will, within Determinism, existing and torturing to ultimately bring Glory to God, within Determinism.

Grace is UNMERITED FAVOR. If all is God’s will, then there is no need for Grace, as even the Wicked are performing God’s will, which means they are not in rebellion of God and thusly without the need for grace.

If I hold a gun to Bob’s head and force him to kill someone innocent, Bob still has a choice to be shot or kill the innocent someone.

If I were to mind control Bob to shoot someone innocent, Bob is guiltless and the guilt of the crime rests on my head.

To say... “but if God mind...

Why do we need any one denomination? We have the apostle's teaching, and CF for discussion, also computers and bible software. As Paul said, all things are ours.

Looking at 1 Corinthians 13 and reference to self sacrifice, all knowing and angelic tongues, I challenge that this is not hyperbole or exaggeration as some think.

Particularly looking at this word of the apostle Paul exegetically. That what Paul meant then limits what what Paul and that passage can mean to us now.

Paul being an ancient man could not have meant to refer to the modern concept of "omniscience". In saying that he may have the the ability of prophecy to look into mysteries. The people he addressed at that time knew him and that he could reveal their secret thoughts, of sins and other good thoughts towards edification... when he preached to them live. That over time Paul could penetrate all mysteries with prophecy.

In the...

What is moralism and is it a problem?

I would understand the terms "moralism", "legalism", and "externalism" to be basically synonymous for our purposes here.

Moralism is the focus on reforming behavior while ignoring unbelief in the heart. In Romans Paul talks about the obedience of faith and the righteousness of faith. He also says that whatever does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). What Paul is talking about is that true righteousness that stems from a genuine love for God and a confidence in his favor toward us.

Because of sin, all of us have a heart disposition of unbelief toward God and hatred toward God. This is the very essence of sin. The law is given to expose this slippery creature. But sinners have taken God's...

Heb_7:11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

Heb_7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

Heb_7:14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Heb_7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

1Pe_2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1Pe_2:9 But you...

Free will permeates the world as far as it concerns law. The law holds people responsible based on their ability to obey or disobey it. And free will is in play wherever laws exist.

In the Old Testament, God held Israel responsible for keeping the Ten Commandments based on free will. But a problem develops when we try to import free will and law into the New Covenant. God did away with law and free will has no place. So if we keep free will, it is at the expense of turning the gospel into law And God’s grace into works.

Jesus says whoever believes has eternal life. Naturally understood, believing is a trait of those who have eternal life. But if we keep free will, we turn this announcement into a law which in effect says whoever...

Can Pastors tell others what to do if they are not obeying their own instruction?

@Sabertooth

I read one of your post in another thread, but the topic seemed to be drifting outside of the original posters intent. So I am opening this thread for everyone's (futurists) discussion on the Mark, Number, Name of the beast.

In your blog, you wrote...

"Nobody knows for sure what is meant by "the number" of one's name. His initials would be a good guess, consistent with the rationale given above, but ς [for 6] does not occur in the upper case.¹ The closest approximation would be ΧΞΣ** which is not a valid notation for any number. (That doesn't rule out initials in the letter/number system of a different language, though [like, say, Babylonian?].)"

I do not know what the person's name is, nor what the mark is. But in...

I thought I read in the book of Revelation that in the end of times there would be people without souls. On going back, I cannot find this mentioned anywhere; digital Bible word searches and search engines have not yielded any such verses.

I know it can’t be just me, because I have had more than one person bring it up in conversation – though one person identified the sign as some children being born without souls.

The only mention I have found on the internet to this is in the description of an older fictional end times movie that I don’t think I have ever watched. Even if I have, a fictional movie is hardly a good source for important information – especially biblical - and it is unlikely that I would have just accepted it as fact....

Hi guys. The following is a letter God had me write to a close brother in the Lord today. It was not a pleasant letter to write. Confessions never are.

Hello my friend. How is life "on the road again", as the country tune wafts in the background? I am sure you are getting a lot of riding in when you are off.

Things here are going well. Terry is in such good health that she has taken the two boys and flown to Dallas to see two of her three sisters and their families for two weeks. They both have grandkids there so the boys are eating it up having playmates all day. Plus, Terry gets to truly relax, with no stress other than bickering children, LOL.

Having some real quiet time here by myself has had its ups and downs, LOL. Thank God...