I never claimed to choose faith ... I claimed to choose God ...So how do you choose faith if it is given to you by God?
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I never claimed to choose faith ... I claimed to choose God ...So how do you choose faith if it is given to you by God?
I understand this.The rescuer was a Samaritan,they believed in the same God and forefathers as the Hebrews and we know this by the woman at the well with Jesus:
I do not disagree with this conclusion.He uses MEANS to accomplish his ENDS. Where do you get the notion that he does not use our choices to fulfill his decree?
Unfortunately, this is internally contradictory.So exactly does he do so, he even controls our choices.
It amazes me that God-extolling Calvinists claim that God could only make puppets. I can make puppets.And there it is! About time you were honest. Choice doesn't exist in Calvinism. Period. God does everything and we just get our strings pulled.
Hahaha. "About time you were honest."? I've been saying this all along. In every thread where you and I butted heads, in fact. Choice DOES exist in Calvinism, and I won't call you dishonest for saying otherwise. You don't call it choice because to you, somehow, if God controls only he is responsible. You don't seem to understand the immensity of what God is, nor the enormity of sin. This does not depend on us.And there it is! About time you were honest. Choice doesn't exist in Calvinism. Period. God does everything and we just get our strings pulled.
I'm not sure I understand you. Are you saying that Calvinists claim God can only make puppets?It amazes me that God-extolling Calvinists claim that God could only make puppets. I can make puppets.
My God is more marvelous than that ...
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, of that my soul is most sure. Psalm 139:14
An animal makes choices, though we like to say it is only instinctive. Even a robot makes choices. And the choices of Both are controlled. What makes our choices any more a cause than an effect? There are no little first causes running about. There can be only one.I do not disagree with this conclusion.
Unfortunately, this is internally contradictory.
If your "choices" are controlled, ... then they are not choices.
Once again, a personal challenge ... even as a believer, some of your choices are not in obedience to God. Does God control those choices, too ???
The term Armenians is laughable because I don't think very many modern day Christians would even have heard of him except that we are being told that we associate with him by not accepting the elaborate Calvanist framework (AKA TULIP).
The term Armenians is laughable because I don't think very many modern day Christians would even have heard of him except that we are being told that we associate with him by not accepting the elaborate Calvanist framework (AKA TULIP).
If God only chose those who he foresaw that they had faith, why whenever he talks about his children does he refer to them as if he chose them? Don't worry I'll give examples so I'm not as confusing as to what I'm saying: Here's a really famous quote that God said concerning his offspring:
Isaiah 41:8-10
But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Do you see what I am asking? If God took people who chose for salvation "from the ends of the Earth" and "called them from it's farthest corners" how can that be a foreseen declaration of faith? Isn't that what Calvinists and other protestants call "Election?" Weren't we Elected by God?
1. Peter clearly talks about Jesus Christ as being foreknown and chosen as well. Yet, obviously if we go by your logic of foreknowledge and election isn't it a big duh that God knew that Jesus Christ would not fail in his mission. He's a part of God as well
And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation.
Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment
2. If anybody can come to Christ and choose him for salvation why did Peter say that their rejection of Jesus Christ was "what they were destined for?"
Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others.
Judas didn't lose his salvation. Judas was cursed and was an instrument in God's plan from before he was ever born (see John 17:11-12, Matthew 26:24-25)
I could go on and on. The Bible talks about God's sheep and how they are saved hundreds and hundreds of times, but yet all arminians do is ignore the clear evidence on paper that God does not love everybody
(That doesn't make God not a loving God), that God doesn't choose everybody and chose some people for hell (Doesn't make him an unjust God or a God not worth our worship and praise),
Which would then mean your salvation is based upon "things"...Things that are out of your control. Things that are simply happenstance.many things
God allows elements of His creation to influence creation in ways that are contrary to His desire, IOW ... sin.An animal makes choices, though we like to say it is only instinctive. Even a robot makes choices. And the choices of Both are controlled. What makes our choices any more a cause than an effect? There are no little first causes running about. There can be only one.
Would you not admit that the Law of Causality prevails in all things logical? Even Atheists admit that our choices are caused, though they deny God the control of all causes. I say, if our choices are indeed caused, what difference does it make as to whether they are real when God is the primary cause of them. It makes no difference how many links there are in the chain of causality --God still caused it all.
Your challenge is an easy one. Have you not seen that God planned all this --including the rebellion of Satan and the fall of Adam? How else do you suppose he could have made a people particular for himself, whose adoration of him can satisfy him?
Read one of my favorite passages, where God entices a spirit to deceive Ahab I Kings 22 and II Chronicles 18. Or see where he has total control over Satan's attacks on Job. We Christians are careful to say "allow" but here we see him causing, and yes, he uses means to accomplish his ends, including our disobedience and sin.
I hope you are not also confused by the idea of God's will being that Adam (or whoever) sin. He has his declared will (his command) and his secret will (his plan). The two hardly compare --I don't even like to call the one his will, but the Bible does, so I must.
Agree. Their "own little world" includes overloading the definition for freewill. They could reduce confusion by creating a new term to describe what they mean by freewill (as done in the scientific community) - but they already have enough problems with TULIP.I'd never heard of the term until I attended a Calvinist church for a while...Calvinists have their own little world.
Not sure why you would call Arminians brothers if you identify as Reformed to be honest. Perhaps just a kind gesture or wanting solidarity but the truth is calling someone a brother usually means same gospel. I would never call a confirmed arminian a brother far from it.
I understand this.
Do you not agree that the point of the parable was that we should love our fellowman (i.e. the bloodied traveler along the road) ?
Is not the Samaritan the example of Godly love in the parable ?
Did God not call us to love, even, our enemies (Matthew 5:44-45) ???
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
no it's more a collaboration between me and God. He extends the gift of faith and I accepted it. I didnt have to accept it indeed many do not accept what Jesus has done for many reasons but He offers that gift for any who would believe.Which would then mean your salvation is based upon "things"...Things that are out of your control. Things that are simply happenstance.