So, Romans doesn't apply to ALL, but those who have capacity? That's the point - it's not absolute. The point is it being leveled as "ALL" have sinned to condemn the sinlessness of Mary (which I don't believe she was sinless), and it was being applied absolutely without caveat, like those with capacity. But that wasn't the argument - Scripture was being used in an extreme measure to oppose an extreme position... when Scripture is clearly not extreme in that topic, but hyperbole.
Well I don't want to get into a "what is sin" "what is justification" etc argument. Only that what God said to begin with is half the battle, before even interpreting what He said.
Have you ever had a loved one or friend with mental illness? I have bipolar. There are things I own up to - AND there are things that are literally beyond my control via brain activity. That's why I have to take meds. Because my behavior is partly out of my control, quite literally because of the physical activity of my brain.
So how do I stand before God, in this respect? Am I responsible for what I've done when mentally unstable? Because overall, I DO have the capacity, but not absolutely, not all the time. Aborted children, or children who die young COULD have the capacity later if they hadn't died. It's not hiding behind anything... it's the argument that these people are also humans. It's the argument that if you are going to level a Scripture in absolute fashion in respect to another human, then understand the ramifications of doing so. Not offering this caveate, or explaining the position fully, is a very good indication of bias and agenda than actual discussion.
And the point is, what if "you" was an infant? What if "you" was someone who was in an accident that resulted in a vegetative state before she/he accepted the Lord - yet technically still alive?
I agree with that, but what do you mean by corporate? All of x group of people are saved or not, or do you mean a uniform plan or means of salvation?
If your argument is idols or representations, plenty of Protestant churches I HAVE walked into have these things (representations of Jesus or other symbols). Just because they are not typically on the same level of grandeur, doesn't mean that they are not there.
Churches that are usually considered extreme (take JW for example) are the ones that have extremely plain sanctuaries with no crosses, no paintings, no banners, nothing that suggests any religious leaning. Is that what you are talking about? Otherwise, just because something is done in a less extravagant fashion doesn't mean the same thing isn't being done in principle.
lol I beg to differ! I've seen this painting in Protestant churches:
View attachment 135391
You have Veggie Tales and certain posters for children in nurseries. You may have pictures of Jesus on the bulletin when you walk in (I could even SCAN you one I still have!) Crosses are very common. You may see representations of doves. I have been in more Protestant churches, different ones, than I have Catholic and EO and I can tell you that I haven't seen one church completely bare of religious representation, regardless of what it was.
You mean Protestant specifically? And statues of Mary prevents Him from being able to do this in Catholic churches?
Well I don't want to get into a "what is sin" "what is justification" etc argument. Only that what God said to begin with is half the battle, before even interpreting what He said.
Have you ever had a loved one or friend with mental illness? I have bipolar. There are things I own up to - AND there are things that are literally beyond my control via brain activity. That's why I have to take meds. Because my behavior is partly out of my control, quite literally because of the physical activity of my brain.
So how do I stand before God, in this respect? Am I responsible for what I've done when mentally unstable? Because overall, I DO have the capacity, but not absolutely, not all the time. Aborted children, or children who die young COULD have the capacity later if they hadn't died. It's not hiding behind anything... it's the argument that these people are also humans. It's the argument that if you are going to level a Scripture in absolute fashion in respect to another human, then understand the ramifications of doing so. Not offering this caveate, or explaining the position fully, is a very good indication of bias and agenda than actual discussion.
And the point is, what if "you" was an infant? What if "you" was someone who was in an accident that resulted in a vegetative state before she/he accepted the Lord - yet technically still alive?
I agree with that, but what do you mean by corporate? All of x group of people are saved or not, or do you mean a uniform plan or means of salvation?
If your argument is idols or representations, plenty of Protestant churches I HAVE walked into have these things (representations of Jesus or other symbols). Just because they are not typically on the same level of grandeur, doesn't mean that they are not there.
Churches that are usually considered extreme (take JW for example) are the ones that have extremely plain sanctuaries with no crosses, no paintings, no banners, nothing that suggests any religious leaning. Is that what you are talking about? Otherwise, just because something is done in a less extravagant fashion doesn't mean the same thing isn't being done in principle.
lol I beg to differ! I've seen this painting in Protestant churches:
View attachment 135391
You have Veggie Tales and certain posters for children in nurseries. You may have pictures of Jesus on the bulletin when you walk in (I could even SCAN you one I still have!) Crosses are very common. You may see representations of doves. I have been in more Protestant churches, different ones, than I have Catholic and EO and I can tell you that I haven't seen one church completely bare of religious representation, regardless of what it was.
You mean Protestant specifically? And statues of Mary prevents Him from being able to do this in Catholic churches?
You have completely missed the thrust of the entire post.
All men are sinners. Every last person is a sinner. Only by the pity of God are any forgiven and saved into eternal life. Even the most astute person you can think of is just as much in need of Gods pity as the baby who has no concept of sin. Substitute the word grace for pity and understand. By grace are ye saved. Eph 2:8-9
Heb 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For the cause of Christ
Roger