I want to address this part of your reply first, not because it is most important part, but for personal reasons.
Rarely in the forums do I see positive comments about much of anything, much less positive PERSONAL comments. And It took me 2-3 readings to even catch the part of your post that was referring to me, personally, rather than just my posting(s).
Pithy: (of language or style)
concise and forcefully expressive. <-- I consider that to be one of the highest compliments I've received to date, and it is certainly one of the most appreciated. I strive to be exactly that, and didn't know there was an actual word for it. So I offer a heart-felt
"Thank-you".
My general job in the church, and in the world, is to provoke people to believe greater/more than they currently do.<--(that should probably receive some thorough consideration, as it means I often have to cause them to question some of their core beliefs.)
But in order to do that for a learned and/or believing person , the speaker needs to be able to first identify the
exact point of error, then express
only that point clearly and quickly enough that the person can't be distracted away from it before they see it. They may still decide to reject it, but they won't be able to stand before God and claim they didn't see it. "Concise and forceful expression" is the "clearly and quickly" part of that equation.
I'm telling you that because I see the need to do that with you concerning some of what we've begun to talk about...specifically concerning the value of the word "saved". You can try to resist, but I promise you that God is skillful enough to cut through the "BS" standing in the way.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 KJV
"
Quick and powerful, etc"
= "
Pithy".
I MAY need to start addressing the rest of your post tomorrow, depending on when I start to get tired, but i might get to it yet tonight.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby