Ask a Philosophical Calvinist Christian

[Received]

I disagree.

So a tree that's conscious of its own branches is therefore conscious of itself as an entire tree?

 

[True Scotsman]

So a tree that's conscious of its own branches is therefore conscious of itself as an entire tree?

That is a terrible analogy. I don't think trees are conscious, not in the way a Human is or a god would be.

I'm saying with no senses, no brain, and no objects to be conscious of how can there be any awareness of anything. By what means is a consciousness without these things aware? That is the question

 

[Received]

That is a terrible analogy. I don't think trees are conscious, not in the way a Human is or a god would be.

Trees don't have to be conscious for the analogy to stand. Here: in an imaginary world where trees stood for consciousness, if they were conscious of their branches, they'd be conscious of consciousness, of themselves as an entire tree?

I'm saying with no senses, no brain, and no objects to be conscious of how can there be any awareness of anything. By what means is a consciousness without these things aware? That is the question

I don't think it is, because I agree with you here. You need senses, a brain, whatever, to be conscious. I'm just saying that consciousness is a purely different event or action than that physical stuff that makes it up, and speaking of this purely different event as consciousness: what is a person conscious of when we say they're self-conscious? Well, they're not aware of consciousness as a whole, but only aspects of their consciousness, particularly anxiety regarding possible actions regarding their ideal selves. They're aware of 1) an emotion (anxiety), and 2) an ideal self, an idea. Hence the "self" here isn't consciousness as a whole, but a very valuable idea.

 

[WordsOfRepentance]

Q: Does Hell exists? If it does why does it exists?

(To the OP)

Thank you!

 

[catholichomeschooler]

Q: Does Hell exists? If it does why does it exists?

(To the OP)

Thank you!

Hell is for those who choose to separate themselves from God.

 

[WordsOfRepentance]

Hell is for those who choose to separate themselves from God.

Does God chose who could separate and who couldn't?

Are you a Calvinist?

 

[bhsmte]

Does God chose who could separate and who couldn't?

Are you a Calvinist?

I would also ask; is God capable of making sure everyone has what they need to believe in him, so no one separates from him?

 

[jax5434]

Upon studying the scriptures and reading the systems and formulations of many teachers and theologians I believe that Calvin and his ilk apprehend the Bible most accurately.

If Calvinism is correct weren't you simply predestined to believe it regardless of any study you might done? Or do you think you could have believed otherwise if you were so inclined?

God Bless
Jax

 

[Tree of Life]

Q: Does Hell exists? If it does why does it exists?

(To the OP)

Thank you!

Sadly it does. Or perhaps will. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. Sadly it will also contain those who refuse to trust the Lord and believe the lies of the devil. But from another perspective it exists to glorify God by putting his wrath against sin on display and his great mercy on display. Those who are saved see exactly what they were saved from and this displays the mercy of God.

 

[Tree of Life]

I would also ask; is God capable of making sure everyone has what they need to believe in him, so no one separates from him?

God has made sure of this. All people have all that they need in order to acknowledge and trust the Lord. Likewise all people have rebelled against God as such, opposing him, and exchanged the truth about him for ideas that they prefer.

This much and more is described in Romans 1.

 

[Tree of Life]

If Calvinism is correct weren't you simply predestined to believe it regardless of any study you might done? Or do you think you could have believed otherwise if you were so inclined?

God Bless
Jax

I believe in the sovereignty of God by the grace of God. It's because of Him that I believe, yes. But it's also true that if I hadn't studied I wouldn't believe.

 

[jax5434]

I believe in the sovereignty of God by the grace of God. It's because of Him that I believe, yes. But it's also true that if I hadn't studied I wouldn't believe

.
__________________

But wasn't it predestined that you would study and conclude that Calvinism was is true? I guess what I am asking is: Did you at anytime have the potential or capacity to study and conclude that Calvinism was false?

God Bless
Jax

 

[Tree of Life]

But wasn't it predestined that you would study and conclude that Calvinism was is true? I guess what I am asking is: Did you at anytime have the potential or capacity to study and conclude that Calvinism was false?

There was a long time that I fought against the doctrines of Calvinism, so I've not always been a Calvinist. I've studied the Bible as a non-Calvinist. But you're asking something different. Was it possible for me to study and come out an Arminian (non Calvinist)? Possible in what sense?

Logically possible? Yes.
Possible in an open-theistic sense? No. I don't think so.

 

[jax5434]

There was a long time that I fought against the doctrines of Calvinism, so I've not always been a Calvinist. I've studied the Bible as a non-Calvinist.

But wouldn't you as a Calvinist take the position that God decreed, from before creation, that you would believe the Doctrines of Grace?

But you're asking something different. Was it possible for me to study and come out an Arminian (non Calvinist)? Possible in what sense?

In the sense that God might decree that some of the Elect might, after study, conclude the Doctrines of Grace were false.

Possible in an open-theistic sense? No. I don't think so

.

I did not think Calvinists were open theists

God Bless
Jax


__________________

 

[Tree of Life]

In the sense that God might decree that some of the Elect might, after study, conclude the Doctrines of Grace were false.

Ah, now I understand. Yes this is entirely possible and, I would argue, actual. Calvinistic doctrine probably does not describe the belief system of the majority of genuine Christians. This would mean that there are many who are elect but who do not believe in the doctrines of Grace. So yes, mysteriously God has decreed that many of his elect will remain confused in their theology in this age - even Calvinists! I certainly have all sorts of confusion that the Lord has not yet worked out.

 

[jax5434]

Calvinistic doctrine probably does not describe the belief system of the majority of genuine Christians.

From the discussions I see on other forums here that seems to be a rare position for a Calvinist. But one I have no problem with.

God Bless
Jax

 

[Tree of Life]

From the discussions I see on other forums here that seems to be a rare position for a Calvinist. But one I have no problem with.

God Bless
Jax

Most Calvinists you meet think that most Christians are Calvinists?

 

[jax5434]

Most Calvinists you meet think that most Christians are Calvinists?

Not exactly. The impression I get from the discussions on here (I don't know any Calvinist personally) is that most Calvinists do not believe non-Calvinist are Christian. As one on CF once told me; he believed "we do not even worship the same God" His God of course being the "true God"

God Bless
Jax

 

[Tree of Life]

Not exactly. The impression I get from the discussions on here (I don't know any Calvinist personally) is that most Calvinists do not believe non-Calvinist are Christian. As one on CF once told me; he believed "we do not even worship the same God" His God of course being the "true God"

God Bless
Jax

This is an unfortunate position for a Calvinist to hold. Charles Hodge, one of the great reformed theologians of the 20th century, said that we should not require more than Christ does to admit someone into his kingdom. The confession that Christ requires is "Jesus is Lord" - no more and no less. How dare we reject those whom Jesus embraces!

 

[Received]

What is more important, love or power?