Can We Really Exercise Free Will?
- Thread starter LifelongLearner
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There was a way that God could have us created, and while creating us, not knowing how we would choose.
That secret as to how it was possible for God was revealed in the first advent of Jesus Christ.
But that doesn't answer why John was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb. You're still avoiding the question.
So, at least you know how it works.
You will be easy to judge when the time comes if you keep on the path you find yourself.
Translate: I don't really know if those who murdered Christ were wise or foolish people. I don't know if they murdered Christ because they rejected His gospel or "advanced Christian doctrine".
Nice theory though about Paul's "advanced Christian doctrine".
And since you're so big on context, how come you haven't noticed that the Gr. term rendered "foolishness" appears 7 times in the NT: 6 of those just happen to be in 1Cor and the other is in 2Cor.? I wonder if the "message of the Cross" was foolishness to those who are perishing (1Cor 1:18) because they rejected the plain ol' foundational Gospel of Forgiveness or "advanced Christian doctrine"? And were such people wise or fools in your eyes?
Not much of a retort to what I said about 1Cor2:8, so moving on.
If you'd like to go through the NC verses you're mentioning, lay them out and let's do so. FYI forms of the Greek word are used in the NC 20x from what I see - 9x in 1Cor.
Since you're not big on context and so prone to fallacy, I'm expecting this to be quite a task and the normal exercise in spiritual futility for you and your friends. It's not likely to change how I read 1Cor2:8 or 14, but any solid insights from anybody that may chime in may benefit we who value Truth in context.
May have to be tomorrow for me. We'll see.
Continually implicates an intermittent "constant," at any rate, and 'intermittent" adjective meaning, "occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady:" whereas continuously connotes a continuation with no interruption.
I especially noted that distinction when I learned of it at university. The artist in me loves the attention to detail.
I cannot say I read ALL your bloviating blather, but surely God knew what He was doing.
Therefore there is no way Jesus could not have been put to death at that time.
God blinds people, just as He has obviously blinded you and your cronies.
Yes, y'all are blinded to a plethora of Scriptural truths...
all in favour of your self-exalting idol.
I pray Jesus opens your eyes.
I'm good with willful obedience not meaning omnipotence. You might want to consider that He does change our natures. Some of us here have expressed concerns that it doesn't seem He's been working on yours. Might have something to do with your volition.
You might want to get your hands on a Kenneth Wuest NT translation.
Kenneth Wuest would translate often with the Greek tenses and feel intact.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Expanded-Translation/dp/0802808824
Another good translation to look for would be the Williams NT translation.
http://www.sprawls.org/williams/
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Oh? From natural to spiritual? You do realize that is what we have been saying all along???
We have multiple Scriptures upholding our view, to your none.
No, it appears all that has flown over your head even after all these months.
Did not God even attempt to intervene with murderous Cain?
Genesis 4:3-7
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.
And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did
not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;
it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
God approaches all men....
.......
"The reformed doctrine (TULIP) is so obviously, painfully false, it just makes me wonder about the motives of those who push it."I agree, yes indeed, it is all about Jesus,
As well, I think the foundational biblical starting point is God is LOVE.
All attributes of God are within this foundational first principle of God.
This is where the Reformed theology does err profoundly!
This ties into salvation being a gift freely offered to whomsoever will believe.
1) By logical necessity the person must have the will to accept or reject what it being offered. The act of accepting a gift which is offered cannot take place without will and volition.
2) If God regenerates first (gives a new heart, gifts faith, gifts hearing blah blah blah) THEN it is not a gift.
Without having the capacity to accept or receive anything, the concept of a “gift” becomes truly meaningless in every possible sense of the word. A gift is offered freely, never forced which ties into the character of God being LOVE.
If salvation is a gift, it suggests that God does not force belief, but offers eternal life, leaving room for a voluntary response.
The reformed doctrine (TULIP) is so obviously, painfully false, it just makes me wonder about the motives of those who push it.
Appreciate any feedback on the concept of the gift and its connection to personal volition, since I know you were posting about volition a while back.
As do I.
Consider also the mental state and emotional tenor on display. Very disturbing......
If you CHOOSE to hurl such an accusation, legal protocol demands that you have the bona fides to prove it.
So where is this evidence? Can your point to something specific in any of @studier 's posts?
God approaches all men? In the way He did with Cain? American Indians who never heard the gospel? The inhabitants of Sodom?
How exactly did He so so?