Calvinism, explained.

[Patmos]

The word for "regretted" is nacham, meaning to groan or sigh. He was groaning at the sight of man's wickedness, not regretting his actions, for everything the Lord does is perfect.

Hmm, he wiped them out! (post 1016).

The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land,

This wasn't just groaning.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

Hmm, he wiped them out!

The LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land,

This wasn't just groaning.

He groaned at the sight of their wickedness then wiped them out.

 

[EmSw]

I know that God choosing to save some and not others is offensive, but the truth is always offensive. People who profess to be Christians even on this forum reject the Bible because it is supernatural and violent, yet it is true nonetheless.

Honestly, the best picture of salvation in the Bible is Noah's ark. God flooded the entire world--men, women, and children--and saved only one man and his family. We are the family of Christ, who was commanded by God to build an ark for us with his own blood.

There were reasons some were saved and others weren't. And it wasn't predestination.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

There were reasons some were saved and others weren't. And it wasn't predestination.

Right, because God doesn't decide who is saved--man does.

 

[EmSw]

The word for "regretted" is nacham, meaning to groan or sigh. He was groaning at the sight of man's wickedness, not regretting his actions, for everything the Lord does is perfect.

Even man?

 

[ClothedInGrace]

Even man?

Man was a perfect creation, but man in and of himself is not perfect.

 

[EmSw]

Right, because God doesn't decide who is saved--man does.

Are you sure you are a Calvinist?
Do you read and believe the WCF?
Did you know God pre-determined who would go to Heaven and foreordained who would go to hell?
Did you not know God controls EVERYTHING?
Do you only believe parts of Calvinism?

 

[EmSw]

Man was a perfect creation, but man in and of himself is not perfect.

I can't put together the puzzle you present. Is man a perfect creation or not?

If man, in and of himself is not perfect, how did God create him perfect?

Is there something lacking in God's perfection?

Does God know His perfect creation is not perfect?

 

[ClothedInGrace]

Are you sure you are a Calvinist?
Do you read and believe the WCF?
Did you know God pre-determined who would go to Heaven and foreordained who would go to hell?
Did you not know God controls EVERYTHING?
Do you only believe parts of Calvinism?

That was sarcasm. I've clearly demonstrated that I believe God decides--not man.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I know that God choosing to save some and not others is offensive, but the truth is always offensive. People who profess to be Christians even on this forum reject the Bible because it is supernatural and violent, yet it is true nonetheless.

Honestly, the best picture of salvation in the Bible is Noah's ark. God flooded the entire world--men, women, and children--and saved only one man and his family. We are the family of Christ, who was commanded by God to build an ark for us with his own blood.

I do not think the Ark is a good example, because all the people were very wicked. The only ones who were not were Noah and his family. This was also in the time where the sons of god had married the daughters of men, which some think is where the giant came from in David vs. Goliath.

What I think happened is there was so much of this intermarrying and wickedness from it that God had to start again clean, with a clean Hebrew bloodline so that the line of Jesus could come from it. But that is speculation on my part, but that's what I think.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

I can't put together the puzzle you present. Is man a perfect creation or not?

If man, in and of himself is not perfect, how did God create him perfect?

Is there something lacking in God's perfection?

Does God know His perfect creation is not perfect?

God was perfect in creating man and there was no fault to be found in man with regards to design and purpose. But, man himself was not perfect like God, and he succombed to temptation. The creation of man was perfect, but God did not necessarily make man a perfect being, in accordance with His perfect plan.

 

[EmSw]

That was sarcasm. I've clearly demonstrated that I believe God decides--not man.

Sarcasm? I think you meant what you said in post 1024 -

'Right, because God doesn't decide who is saved--man does.'

Which is it, God decides or man decides?

 

[ClothedInGrace]

Sarcasm? I think you meant what you said in post 1024 -

'Right, because God doesn't decide who is saved--man does.'

Which is it, God decides or man decides?

You really think I meant it? Who do you think decides?

 

[EmSw]

God was perfect in creating man and there was no fault to be found in man with regards to design and purpose. But, man himself was not perfect like God, and he succombed to temptation. The creation of man was perfect, but God did not necessarily make man a perfect being, in accordance with His perfect plan.

I see you are adding to the words you originally said. That's okay, I've seen this maneuver many times.

You are going to get dizzy going around in circles.

 

[EmSw]

You really think I meant it? Who do you think decides?

If you say anything to me, I take you are serious and not playing games. Is this okay with you?

Man decides, and this isn't sarcasm.

Who decides if he will obey God's will and not sin?

 

[ClothedInGrace]

I see you are adding to the words you originally said. That's okay, I've seen this maneuver many times.

You are going to get dizzy going around in circles.

People make mistakes. I should have clarified.

I realized my original statement was confusing, so sorry.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

If you say anything to me, I take you are serious and not playing games. Is this okay with you?

Man decides, and this isn't sarcasm.

Who decides if he will obey God's will and not sin?

In the moment it is the man who decides whether to obey or not, but it is according to God's plan and purpose...

 

[EmSw]

Clothed, there is a person on here who kept saying God's predestination and man's free will were compatible. He was very adamant about it. My reason and understanding could not put the two together, but he was convince he could.

Well, after many posts, he finally came out with what he really meant, after all posts trying to convince they were compatible. What he conveniently forgot to tell us, is the he was speaking of a limited free will of man, and not free will at all. Instead of man being able to choose from 16.4 million colors, he meant man could only choose from dark gray and light gray.

I consider this to be deception, for he did not tell the whole truth, just enough to convince himself. Anyway, he has left our discussions, from frustration, I suppose.

 

[ClothedInGrace]

Clothed, there is a person on here who kept saying God's predestination and man's free will were compatible. He was very adamant about it. My reason and understanding could not put the two together, but he was convince he could.

Well, after many posts, he finally came out with what he really meant, after all posts trying to convince they were compatible. What he conveniently forgot to tell us, is the he was speaking of a limited free will of man, and not free will at all. Instead of man being able to choose from 16.4 million colors, he meant man could only choose from dark gray and light gray.

I consider this to be deception, for he did not tell the whole truth, just enough to convince himself. Anyway, he has left our discussions, from frustration, I suppose.

He shouldn't have used the term free will. That's what happens when you aren't a consistent Calvinist.

 

[EmSw]

People make mistakes. I should have clarified.

I realized my original statement was confusing, so sorry.

That's okay, I don't hold grudges against anyone. And please realize, I am not trying to get you to change your mind, if that's possible within God's plan.