anonymous person
Well-Known Member
Before they die, every person will be given enough light to make "honest unbelief" as you call it, impossible.
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But you just said that the only unforgivable sin was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which means that honest nonbelief is forgivable.
I provided reasons in previous threads why I came to the conclusion, the NT is much more a work of theology, than it is a work of credible history. In my extensive research into the NT, which included reading the works of many NT scholars and historians, many NT historians and scholars have this opinion and when I compare their opinion to the historians and or scholars that will actually claim the NT is all historical, it becomes quite apparent, the one's who claim the NT is reliable from a historical standpoint, are playing fast and loose with the historical method, to protect a belief.
You can believe the NT is completely reliable if you so choose, no one is stopping you.
Nice way to attack a strawman. Portions of the new testament do not even purport to report historical events at all. The revelation of Jesus Christ to John for example was not even written for the purpose of recording history. It was apocalyptic in nature, not historical. Large portions of the gospels and the epistles were not intended to act a records of history either. Where the authors were led to record historical events, they are accurate in doing so.
And yet countless people die not believing in the salvific doctrines of Christianity. So this statement appears to be wrong. In any event, why should it matter? You already conceded that honest nonbelief is forgivable.Before they die, every person will be given enough light to make "honest unbelief" as you call it, impossible.
You failed to answer my question. If all of these things can be forgiven, where is this justice that you allude to?All of our thoughts, intentions, and actions are liable to judgment. Anything within us that is displeasing to God or rebellious against his sovereignty is liable to judgment.For what would we be judged? Is there any action that might preclude one from entering "Heaven", in your theology?
"Refuse" implies intent. Belief is not a conscious choice. I cannot flip a virtual switch in my head and say "today, I shall believe in gods".The only sin that will not be forgiven is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This is not some instance of someone having doubt or unbelief but rather a persistent and intentional hardening of one's heart against the convicting work of God in one's life. It is a total rejection of God. Such a one cannot be forgiven because they refuse to be.
Your remarks also indicate to me that you are not familiar with the New Testament teachings with regards to how biblical belief is evidenced. See the gospels, see James, see Paul's epistles.
You failed to answer my question. If all of these things can be forgiven, where is this justice that you allude to?
Oh, I think I understand your question now. God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus Christ. He will justly punish all wickedness - either by destroying sinners or by crediting Christ's work on the cross to those sinners who have faith in Jesus.
Those who are "in Christ" are forgiven in that their sins are not counted against them, but against Jesus. Since Jesus was condemned for his people no condemnation remains for them. They are, as Paul says, "dead to sin" - meaning that they have already suffered God's wrath in Christ.
Do you have specific examples, of how God punishes all wickedness?
Well judgment day is not upon us yet but it is coming. In the meantime there are several images of judgment that we experience here and now (and in the past):
1. Death - death is an image of judgment. We are all born "under condemnation" as it were - all doomed to die.
2. Historical events of judgment - such as Noah's flood, Israel's Exodus from Egypt, the conquest of the land of Canaan, Israel's defeat and exile, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ad. I'm willing to include other instances of nations being destroyed throughout history.
Regarding death, does this mean the 9 million children who dies each year before the age of five, is God displaying punishment?
How do you know it was God?
You remind me of a parrot. You keep saying "belief is not a conscious choice"."Refuse" implies intent. Belief is not a conscious choice. I cannot flip a virtual switch in my head and say "today, I shall believe in gods".
Does your theology hold me responsible for things beyond my control?
Yes. Death is always an image of God's wrath and our condemnation - generally speaking. When we see a child die we are reminded that the human race is under the wrath of God and we need someone to save us from our eventual fate.
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