Why are so many against reformed theology?

[Ceallaigh]

Good day, Ordinary Christian

Thanks for the discussion, I am not sure how grammatically you come to your interpretation...

Mat 7:22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The verb (Knew) clearly Jesus himself says did not do. " I never knew you" He said it to them.

The text is very clear IMHO.

What you describe here is known as Double predestination.

I would contend the Scripture is clear the sinner does not need any thing to end up in eternal torment he goes based on his own sin.

RC cover that here: Is Double Predestination Biblical?

Not sure if you have read this on the issue: Martin Luther: Double Or Nothing


Thanks again.

In Him,

Bill

The point I was making is that it seems in reformed theology and person live their life as an active Christian and bear fruit, and then find out they're going to hell because they weren't predestined to be one of the elect.

As for double predestination, that seems like a six of one and a half dozen of the other situation. Meaning the outcome is the same either way.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

That's a slippery slope, which easily leads to cherry picking and editing out the inconvenient bits.

I agree. But most people cherry pick and edit out the inconvenient anyway.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I've come across liberal Christians who want to eliminate all the "clobber verses" that talk about repenting, abstaining, obeying, discipline et al.

Not just liberal Christians. Across the board.

 

[FenderTL5]

As for double predestination, that seems like a six of one and a half dozen of the other situation. Meaning the outcome is the same either way.

This is true. Any predestination to preterition is also a predestination of reprobation.
Any arguments otherwise are nothing more than semantic word games.

 

[FenderTL5]

I've come across liberal Christians who want to eliminate all the "clobber verses" that talk about repenting, abstaining, obeying, discipline et al.

In contrast, I have encountered a few that seem to dwell on the 'clobber verses' to the exclusion of most everything else.

 

[Ceallaigh]

In contrast, I have encountered a few that seem to dwell on the 'clobber verses' to the exclusion of most everything else.

Yep one can go too far in the other direction as well.

 

[Jamdoc]

At least you did say "apparently".
Better would be to ask if He Will Reveal to you in His Word the Truth.

the "apparently" is because that's a Calvinist position, and I don't see it bibilically, so I don't agree with it.

 

[bling]

Good day, Fender

God can have Mercy on whoever he chooses, does he not have that that right as Creator?

Yes that does jive... "The key word is overcome"

I guess that would depend on what is meant by "total" I think the article I post by RC addresses that.

In Him,

Bill

God has limited Himself and given up His “right” to sin, lie, be unloving, be inconsistent, and really not be the God of the Bible.

We might be in more agreement than you realize but starting from different points.

I agree with “total depravity” understood as the unbelieving sinner cannot do anything: worthy of something, honorable, righteous, deserving of good or holy. The unbelieving sinner can only do bad stuff and if the sinful unbeliever “chose” of his own free will to obey God and not satan that would be worthy of something and deserving of something so that cannot be the sinful unbeliever’s choice.

Can we also agree that the unbelieving sinner can choose of his own free will some of the sins he will do?

The “choice” I see the sinful unbeliever making is, for selfish (sinful) reasons, he/she wimp out, give up and surrender to their hated enemy yet they still hate their enemy, but are just willing to humbly accept pure undeserved charity as pure charity from the hated enemy (which happens in war all the time).

Before you tell me: “humility is a righteous act”, the Bible tells us everyone will become humble, either now or later.

Once the sinner is showered with unbelievable huge, wonderful gifts, including eternal life, a new life and Godly type Love, he can follow God.

 

[BBAS 64]

The point I was making is that it seems in reformed theology and person live their life as an active Christian and bear fruit, and then find out they're going to hell because they weren't predestined to be one of the elect.

As for double predestination, that seems like a six of one and a half dozen of the other situation. Meaning the outcome is the same either way.

Good Day,

Not sure what you read to get to your seems.. I would be interested the source of your understanding.

What makes a Christian the predestinating work of God and the connection the Jesus has with them he Knows them.

In the text it is clear they did all the things they claimed they did, but at the end of the day Jesus did not Know "I never knew you". He said it to them" them thus they were not Christians no matter what they thought or did.

There is no such thing as a Christian that has not been predestined by God...

In Him,

Bill

 

[Jamdoc]

Good Day,

Not sure what you read to get to your seems.. I would be interested the source of your understanding.

What makes a Christian the predestinating work of God and the connection the Jesus has with them he Knows them.

In the text it is clear they did all the things they claimed they did, but at the end of the day Jesus did not Know "I never knew you". He said it to them" them thus they were not Christians no matter what they thought or did.

There is no such thing as a Christian that has not been predestined by God...

In Him,

Bill

So I ask what you do with statements that are open invitations for Salvation? If God predestines arbitrarily, then those open invitations are invalid, if it's a limited invite only, then isn't God lying by making the statements of open invitation? "Whosoever" doesn't work when it's limited. It in fact becomes deceptively cliquey.

Revelation 3

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

John 3

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 6

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Revelation 22

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

These are all open statements, open invitations. They are not valid if God has chosen some arbitrarily to be invited, but created everyone else just to torture.

Yes there is predestination, but there is also open invitation. These must be reconciled.

 

[Fervent]

I agree. But most people cherry pick and edit out the inconvenient anyway.

So why increase the temptation by diminishing the role of the Bible as word of God and reducing it to cultture-bound theological musings? Either it all stands together as God's word, or it becomes a free for all buffet of human opinion.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Good Day,

Not sure what you read to get to your seems.. I would be interested the source of your understanding.

Over 50 years of Christianity. Including over 50 years of John MacArthur for what it's worth.

What makes a Christian the predestinating work of God and the connection the Jesus has with them he Knows them.

In the text it is clear they did all the things they claimed they did, but at the end of the day Jesus did not Know "I never knew you". He said it to them" them thus they were not Christians no matter what they thought or did.

There is no such thing as a Christian that has not been predestined by God...

In Him,

Bill

There's no such thing as a Christian that has not been predestined by God... Is the objection to the doctrine.

Even if I was a firm believer in this doctrine, I'd still acknowledge the problems others see in it, the way RC Sproul did in the first video you posted. Most of Christianity believes that anyone and everyone can come to Christ and become a Christian. That anyone and everyone who hears the Gospel is capable of making the choice to either accept it or reject it.

Predestination cancels out all of that. Predestination says you don't have a choice. Predestination says no one can be saved that wasn't already chosen to be saved ahead of time. Which makes evangelism pointless. It makes praying that a loved one will come to know Christ, become a Christian and be saved pointless. Because if they are predestined they will be saved no matter what, and if they're not predestined they are going to Hell no matter what.

I think if you're going to start a thread like this you should be aware of why so many are against reformed theology and deal with those objections head on yourself, instead of referring people to RC Sproul videos. I mean are you able to reason out this doctrine on your own, or are you dependant on what RC Sproul says about it?

 

[Jamdoc]

So why increase the temptation by diminishing the role of the Bible as word of God and reducing it to cultture-bound theological musings? Either it all stands together as God's word, or it becomes a free for all buffet of human opinion.

it's not the official stance but I've heard from many Catholics that the bible is essentially to them, a collection of church traditions, and what matters is the institution of the church.

 

[Ceallaigh]

it's not the official stance but I've heard from many Catholics that the bible is essentially to them, a collection of church traditions, and what matters is the institution of the church.

Right. What Fervent said is their basic objection to Protestantism.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

So why increase the temptation by diminishing the role of the Bible as word of God and reducing it to cultture-bound theological musings? Either it all stands together as God's word, or it becomes a free for all buffet of human opinion.

Well then, Let's get started:

1. Be Reconciled
   “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23–25).
2. Do Not Lust
   “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28–30).
3. Go the Second Mile
   “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Matthew 5:38–42).
4. Love Your Enemies
   “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:44–46).
5. Be Perfect
   “If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:46–48).
6. Practice Secret Disciplines
   “. . . When thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. . . . When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. . . . When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:1–18).
7. Lay Up Treasures
   “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).
8. Seek God’s Kingdom
   “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
9. Judge Not
   “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1–3).
10. Do Not Cast Pearls
    “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).
11. Ask, Seek, Knock
    “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).
12. Do Unto Others
    “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
13. Choose the Narrow Way
    “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).
14. Beware of False Prophets
    “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16).
15. Pray for Laborers
    “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
16. Be Wise as Serpents
    “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
17. Fear Not
    “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
18. Hear God’s Voice
    “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
19. Take My Yoke
    “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
20. Honor Your Parents
    “For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death” (Matthew 15:4).
21. Beware of Leaven
    “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6).
22. Deny Yourself
    “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23–25).
23. Despise Not Little Ones
    “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
24. Go to Offenders
    “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:15–17).
25. Beware of Covetousness
    “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
26. Forgive Offenders
    “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).
27. Honor Marriage
    “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4–6).
28. Matthew 19:21
    Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
29. Be a Servant
    “. . . Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28).
30. Be a House of Prayer
    “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer . . . ” (Matthew 21:13).
31. Ask in Faith
    “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea: it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:21–22).
32. Bring In the Poor
    “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12–14).
33. Render to Caesar
    “Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:19–21).
34. Love the Lord
    “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38).
35. Love Your Neighbor
    “And the second [commandment] is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:39–40).
36. Await My Return
    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42–44).
37. Take, Eat, and Drink
    “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26–28).
38. Be Born Again
    “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5–7).
39. Keep My Commandments
    “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
40. Watch and Pray
    “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
41. Feed My Sheep
    “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15–16).
42. Baptize My Disciples
    “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
43. Receive God’s Power
    “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
44. Make Disciples “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19–20).
    

 

[Fervent]

it's not the official stance but I've heard from many Catholics that the bible is essentially to them, a collection of church traditions, and what matters is the institution of the church.

That's a slightly different issue, because the Bible is seen as a portion of a larger Divinely-inspired tradition among Catholics. So it's not simply a collection of church traditions, but a special part of a larger body of authority.

 

[Fervent]

Well then, Let's get started:

1. Be Reconciled
   “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23–25).
2. Do Not Lust
   “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28–30).
3. Go the Second Mile
   “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Matthew 5:38–42).
4. Love Your Enemies
   “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:44–46).
5. Be Perfect
   “If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:46–48).
6. Practice Secret Disciplines
   “. . . When thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. . . . When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. . . . When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:1–18).
7. Lay Up Treasures
   “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).
8. Seek God’s Kingdom
   “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
9. Judge Not
   “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1–3).
10. Do Not Cast Pearls
    “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).
11. Ask, Seek, Knock
    “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).
12. Do Unto Others
    “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
13. Choose the Narrow Way
    “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).
14. Beware of False Prophets
    “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16).
15. Pray for Laborers
    “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
16. Be Wise as Serpents
    “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
17. Fear Not
    “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
18. Hear God’s Voice
    “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
19. Take My Yoke
    “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
20. Honor Your Parents
    “For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death” (Matthew 15:4).
21. Beware of Leaven
    “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6).
22. Deny Yourself
    “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23–25).
23. Despise Not Little Ones
    “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
24. Go to Offenders
    “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:15–17).
25. Beware of Covetousness
    “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
26. Forgive Offenders
    “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).
27. Honor Marriage
    “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4–6).
28. Matthew 19:21
    Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
29. Be a Servant
    “. . . Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28).
30. Be a House of Prayer
    “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer . . . ” (Matthew 21:13).
31. Ask in Faith
    “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea: it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:21–22).
32. Bring In the Poor
    “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12–14).
33. Render to Caesar
    “Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:19–21).
34. Love the Lord
    “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38).
35. Love Your Neighbor
    “And the second [commandment] is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:39–40).
36. Await My Return
    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42–44).
37. Take, Eat, and Drink
    “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26–28).
38. Be Born Again
    “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5–7).
39. Keep My Commandments
    “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
40. Watch and Pray
    “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
41. Feed My Sheep
    “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15–16).
42. Baptize My Disciples
    “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
43. Receive God’s Power
    “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
44. Make Disciples “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19–20).

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make with this seemingly random assembly of verses.

 

[Butch5]

Why are so many against reformed theology?


Stephen Lawson, RC Sproul and MacArthur answer the question. They all answer from their own perspective.

I'm against it because it isn't Biblical.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make with this seemingly random assembly of verses.

My point being that some who make such a big deal about their closely following the written word of the Bible, in all actuality, follow it very little.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Not just liberal Christians. Across the board.

All the same it's quite noticeable in Christians who embrace progressive secularism.

Biblical Jesus: Preaches God's righteousness. Warns of sin, judgement and hell. Hated and despised by the world. Exalts God the Father's will. Offends the world with the truth.

Secular Jesus: Preaches only on love. Never says anything negative. Loved and accepted by the world. Serves your will, not God's will. Hates to offend you and others.