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Recent content by sola_scriptura

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    I just wanted to share why I became a Calvinist (Feel free to share!)

    After being an Arminian (Methodist) for years I came to a place theologically that I never expected -- Calvinism. Eventually the logical consistency of Calvin and his progeny became to difficult to ignore. I was always reformed "leaning" even while an Arminian (commonly rejecting the very...
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    The Tulip is broken

    The scriptures you provided only confirm that our faith must endure to the end. First, I never denied this, second you ignored the verses I cited discussing election? I do not even deny that some aspects of grace (i.e. atonement & the work of the Holy Spirit) are somewhat universal (although...
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    The Tulip is broken

    In our reference frame in time this is all true. However, it should be understood that no one can seek God without first being regenerated by Him. If we are to think that our own meritorious character can somehow earn God's favor then grace is no longer grace. That being said you might say...
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    The Tulip is broken

    Indeed the idea of universal grace i.e. the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, is in Scripture, but IMO it is often misunderstood. There is a difference between appearing to all men and being received by all men. I frequently hear that God would not give us commands and...
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    Predestination and Election

    This discussion seems focused on the minutia and the big picture is getting lost. I mean how can anyone think they chose God? When God said we have two choices, life and death, who was He speaking to? At that point only the Jewish people. However, even among them many were called but only few...
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    Mary as the "New Eve"

    The problem with Catholic Mariology in my view is it overemphasizes Mary and misunderstands her importance. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law (Galatians 4:4). There were many church fathers who disagreed with Paul's use of the word "woman" in...
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    Mary as the "New Eve"

    CA-Josh said it, Mary is part of a collective and cannot be dubbed "bride" in a personal sense. She was saved & therefore yes part of the body of Christ. Remember in Genesis man and woman, when married, become one flesh. Therefore, if there is any New Eve it is the entire body of Christ. We are...
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    Praying To The Saints

    Eventually that wish will come true, but it isn't God's will just yet.
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    Praying To The Saints

    Well stated. I would say there are certain doctrines I do believe can be shown to be erroneous from Scripture, like Mary as the New Eve. When it comes to tradition Mark 7:5-13 discusses its use & indeed as long as it does not contravene Scripture it's not necessarily problematic. I would add...
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    Mary as the "New Eve"

    Great question -- the short answer in my own view is that Mary is not the bride of Christ. Obviously this is intuitively a peculiar idea since Mary is the mother of Jesus. Revelation 21:9 describes the New Jerusalem as the bride of the Lamb (Christ): One of the seven angels who held the seven...
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    Mary as the "New Eve"

    You're missing the point. I understand the parallel, but I'm asking how the depiction is made. Please, if you answer, do so with this passage in mind: But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother (Galatians 4:26). So is Mary also the "Jerusalem that is above" that Paul is...
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    Mary as the "New Eve"

    You raise a good point, however, the basis for my objection is Scripture itself (which cannot be trumped by man made doctrine). Christ is given a bride at Rev. 21:9 (the New Jerusalem). That same city is described as "our mother" at Galatians 4:26. In light of these passages I'm having a problem...
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    Praying To The Saints

    I've never heard blaspheming the Holy Spirit described as unbelief, since the mission Christ gave us is to save unrepentant and unbelieving hearts (so I'm assuming He does forgive unbelief). Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is never clearly defined in Scripture, but I think one has to be a professing...
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    Praying To The Saints

    good work WarriorAngel. I might not agree that any of this supports the idea of intercessory prayer, but certainly appreciate your diligence & hard work. None of this changes the fact that Christ is our one & only mediator. I would agree with in one aspect though, the body of Christ (including...
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    Blessed Virgin Mary is our Mother - here's why

    Where shall I start. Compare Clement X to Clement XI (and their opposing views of Mariology & toward Marian theologians like Louis de Monfort). Then there's Pope Leo the Great & the list goes on. There's plenty of good information on the Popes and their Mariology out there. Marian doctrine...
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