Hello my Arminian Brothers and sisters! I have yet another question for you.

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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? I'll give another example:

1 Peter 2:4-9:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."


Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for.


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


A few points that Peter was talking about that I'd like to discuss.

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 so of course, God can do anything. And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation. Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment because if he did, than God would have to punish himself.

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?" Peter's words, not mine. It's not just Calvinists that say that God rejected some people for salvation, scripture says it time and time again. Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others. Scripture does say that Christs death on the cross was also predetermined and predestined by God. Which means the people who would have to be punished for crucifying the son of God (Judas, Pilate, Ciaphas, the People who shouted for Christs Crucifixion ...etc)

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), that God DID choose an elect people from before the foundation of the world and we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.

Mankind cannot save a person, only God can. Mankind does not pick salvation only God can. How is arminianism not putting glory that should be 100% be in God's hands into mankinds Hands? A endeavor that God himself said was impossible over and over again?
 
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A_Thinker

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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? I'll give another example:

1 Peter 2:4-9:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."


Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for.


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


A few points that Peter was talking about that I'd like to discuss.

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 so of course, God can do anything. And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation. Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment because if he did, than God would have to punish himself.

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?" Peter's words, not mine. It's not just Calvinists that say that God rejected some people for salvation, scripture says it time and time again. Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others. Scripture does say that Christs death on the cross was also predetermined and predestined by God. Which means the people who would have to be punished for crucifying the son of God (Judas, Pilate, Ciaphas, the People who shouted for Christs Crucifixion ...etc)

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), that God DID choose an elect people from before the foundation of the world and we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.

Mankind cannot save a person, only God can. Mankind does not pick salvation only God can. How is arminianism not putting glory that should be 100% be in God's hands into mankinds Hands? A endeavor that God himself said was impossible over and over again?
In thinking about the question for some number of decades now, ... my view has consolidated into something like the following ...

God has chosen ... those who will choose Him.

It's all about relationship.

Before I was married, or had even met my eventual wife, ... I was setting the stage (and/or the stage was being set for me) ... for who she would be.

So, I could speak of my wife ... and of my choosing of her, yet before she appeared upon the scene. And it is clear that our coming together was/is based upon MUTUAL CHOICE. I chose her ... AND she chose me.

Likewise, the Lord has chosen His beloved ... AND His beloved will chose Him.

It is the nature of relationship ...
 
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All Glory To God

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In thinking about the question for some number of decades now, ... my view has consolidated into something like the following ...

God has chosen ... those who will choose Him.

It's all about relationship.

Before I was married, or had even met my eventual wife, ... I was setting the stage (and/or the stage was being set for me) ... for who she would be.

So, I could speak of my wife ... and of my choosing of her, yet before she appeared upon the scene. And it is clear that our coming together was/is based upon MUTUAL CHOICE. I chose her ... AND she chose me.

Likewise, the Lord has chosen His beloved ... AND His beloved will chose Him. It is the nature of relationship ...


Low view of God there. Comparing the creator to human relationships.
 
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If God only chose those who he foresaw that they had faith,

I think you got it wrong from the get-go.

Faith is a gift from God.

You can read about it here...Eph 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
 
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renniks

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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? I'll give another example:
So, Israel was elected to what? Salvation? No, Israel was elected to be the line that brought the Messiah.
Individually, Israelites chose or did not choose salvation. All these beautiful promises are just that. They are promises, but they are not unconditional. God said:
“All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.

And yet, there we plenty of times Israel rebelled and God allowed their enemies to overrun them for a time.

God doesn't make unconditional promises to believers today either and we are Israel if we are in
Christ. The same promises are ours...But if we leave him he will leave us.
 
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Andrewn

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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),
If this makes sense to you, you're welcome to your opinion.

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),
If this makes sense to you, you're welcome to your opinion.

we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.
If this makes sense to you, you're welcome to your opinion.
 
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Maria Billingsley

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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? I'll give another example:

1 Peter 2:4-9:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."


Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for.


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


A few points that Peter was talking about that I'd like to discuss.

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 so of course, God can do anything. And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation. Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment because if he did, than God would have to punish himself.

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?" Peter's words, not mine. It's not just Calvinists that say that God rejected some people for salvation, scripture says it time and time again. Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others. Scripture does say that Christs death on the cross was also predetermined and predestined by God. Which means the people who would have to be punished for crucifying the son of God (Judas, Pilate, Ciaphas, the People who shouted for Christs Crucifixion ...etc)

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), that God DID choose an elect people from before the foundation of the world and we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.

Mankind cannot save a person, only God can. Mankind does not pick salvation only God can. How is arminianism not putting glory that should be 100% be in God's hands into mankinds Hands? A endeavor that God himself said was impossible over and over again?
There is a difference between the " chosen people" and those that have been "chosen". The chosen people are those who bring in the Messiah to the world. Those that are chosen are those who believe it is Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Be blessed.
 
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All Glory To God

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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? I'll give another example:

1 Peter 2:4-9:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."


Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for.


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


A few points that Peter was talking about that I'd like to discuss.

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 so of course, God can do anything. And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation. Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment because if he did, than God would have to punish himself.

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?" Peter's words, not mine. It's not just Calvinists that say that God rejected some people for salvation, scripture says it time and time again. Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others. Scripture does say that Christs death on the cross was also predetermined and predestined by God. Which means the people who would have to be punished for crucifying the son of God (Judas, Pilate, Ciaphas, the People who shouted for Christs Crucifixion ...etc)

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), that God DID choose an elect people from before the foundation of the world and we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.

Mankind cannot save a person, only God can. Mankind does not pick salvation only God can. How is arminianism not putting glory that should be 100% be in God's hands into mankinds Hands? A endeavor that God himself said was impossible over and over again?


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.
 
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A_Thinker

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Low view of God there. Comparing the creator to human relationships.
God, Himself, ... does the same ... all through the scriptures ....

Ephesians 5

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
 
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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? I'll give another example:

1 Peter 2:4-9:

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."


Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message which is also what they were destined for.


But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.


A few points that Peter was talking about that I'd like to discuss.

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 so of course, God can do anything. And of course God has to elect a part of himself for salvation. Jesus cannot and will not ever have to suffer punishment because if he did, than God would have to punish himself.

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?" Peter's words, not mine. It's not just Calvinists that say that God rejected some people for salvation, scripture says it time and time again. Scripture does say that God hates some people, yet loves and choses others. Scripture does say that Christs death on the cross was also predetermined and predestined by God. Which means the people who would have to be punished for crucifying the son of God (Judas, Pilate, Ciaphas, the People who shouted for Christs Crucifixion ...etc)

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), that God DID choose an elect people from before the foundation of the world and we as Christians play a role in those people accepting and choosing Christ but, it is also 100% God that does the role in salvation.

Mankind cannot save a person, only God can. Mankind does not pick salvation only God can. How is arminianism not putting glory that should be 100% be in God's hands into mankinds Hands? A endeavor that God himself said was impossible over and over again?
I'm not 'arminian' in some committed way since that would be tantamount to presuming one is omniscient in a sense (as does the opposite position, and therefore both positions are in error then). Instead of trusting (putting hope/faith) in doctrines in general we should trust in Christ, in the Word. (some doctrines are true of course, but in general instead of putting hope/faith in men -- the doctrines of men -- we are to believe in the living Word). So, not arminian, Ok?

But here on 1 Peter 2:8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word--and to this they were appointed. I recommend to you the very helpful full context of scripture which is conveyed fairly well by Ellicott's commentary for this verse at the bottom of the page of this same verse link.
1 Peter 2:8 and, "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word--and to this they were appointed.
(scroll down the page to Ellicott's commentary, for a better understanding of the full meaning of the verse wording, from scripture)
You should notice first of course that the verse is about the foreseen fact that some of the Israelites would reject Christ -- some would fall into that group -- without necessarily meaning an individual is fated. Rather, the group is fated. The groups are predestined. But individuals are called to turn to Christ, and some will and some won't. Once they do, then they are in one group or the other, in that way. Then we do clearly know that after a person is in the group that accepts Christ, or a group that rejects Him, then God acts towards that person in accordance to which choice they have made. As to the deeper and not nearly as clear question many try to definitely conclude about whether God has chosen to foresee everything to the degree that no one has any freedom of choice at all (free will then would be just pure illusion/delusion), that's not at all pinned down clearly, but it does seem very often in scripture we are addressed as if we can make actual choices and responses. i.e. -- I don't believe these instructions to us are only for decoration, all choices already fated.
 
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A_Thinker

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What would cause one to choose God (Jesus) and another to not choose?
It is the outworking of the plan of God that some would choose Him ... and some would not (via the mechanism of His gift of choice) ....

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
 
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A_Thinker

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... all arminians do is ignore the clear evidence on paper that God does not love everybody ...
Matthew 5

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

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. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
 
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anna ~ grace

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Neo, can I jump in here?

I’m not Arminian, though I appreciate a lot of what they believe, but it seems that the whole Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate has done more to kill civility, charity, and reason among Christians than almost any other debate in the Protestant world.

Do you really want to make this a focus? Is this really a debate that’s worth building your Christian view point around? Just asking. God bless you, brother.
 
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All Glory To God

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God, Himself, ... does the same ... all through the scriptures ....

Ephesians 5

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!


I don't think the scripture means the same thing you do. The way you framed your wife and husband scenario implied God was subject to the same set of principles as a courting couple, and he is not. He is also not part of his creation so a false comparision.
 
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All Glory To God

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Matthew 5

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

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. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

He was talking about who God loves, you are talking about who Christians should love.

Show us in scripture where God loves everyone.
 
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All Glory To God

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It is the outworking of the plan of God that some would choose Him ... and some would not (via the mechanism of His gift of choice) ....

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;


So basically a decision. A decision, on the saved person's part is what separates them from the people who will be conedemed for not making that decision.

How is that not boasting if done by the will of man?
 
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A_Thinker

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I don't think the scripture means the same thing you do. The way you framed your wife and husband scenario implied God was subject to the same set of principles as a courting couple, and he is not. He is also not part of his creation so a false comparision.
You are ignoring that God explains Himself in human terms all throughout scripture.

And I implied nothing about courting.

What I said that choosing is involved on both sides of a loving relationship ...
 
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A_Thinker

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He was talking about who God loves, you are talking about who Christians should love.

Show us in scripture where God loves everyone.
That scripture certainly implies that God loves His enemies, as well as His friends ... since we are urged to love in such a way ...

... and that is based upon loving in the way that the Father loves ...

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.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
 
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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?...

....God does not love everybody ...

Bible tells:

But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Mat. 5:44-45

I think that means God loves all.

And, I think God choosing doesn’t mean that people don't also choose.
 
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