Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Rufus]

Apparently in his world Calvinists are the only ones to acknowledge that all does not always mean all.
Of course we know this is a false belief born of his derangement syndrome and unscrupulous desire
to mock and scoff a true Biblical understanding when he attaches "Calvin" to it in any way. A wooden
reading of Scripture leaves him with a faulty interpretation. “And it came to pass in those days, that
there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” Was the whole
world taxed? No, it was not. Read in its proper context, all is often used in a limited scope.

Correcto! But not only this, but neither God or his Old Covenant people ever understood Israel to be one of many nations -- just another one of many also-ran nations in the world. God always intended for Israel to be separate from the nations (world), and the Jews fully understood this, as I have proved numerous times in the past with a large number of scriptures.

 

[Rufus]

When John the baptist says behold the lamb of God takes away the sin of the world, this happened for everyone.
If a baby dies at birth, they are saved by Christ's sacrifice.
But when they grow up and know about sin to be held accountable to sin, they then die spiritually, and need to be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.
.....

Rubbish. No baby comes into this world pure! They all come into it spiritually stillborn. Every baby is a born rebel!

And circular reasoning doesn't prove your "freewill" theory either. You have to prove that John the Baptist used the term "kosmos" in the distributive sense.

You also need to prove from scripture that all babies to die prematurely are saved. How do infants, babies, small children, etc. escape the all-important faith and repentance requirement of the Gospel? Is there an Infant Gospel in the scripture that I don't know about.

 

[Rufus]

AHH all are seen in the light, your at error friend

So, there's no difference among the three groups of people in the Parable? Fine. Have it your way. But it seems to me that the last two groups were "forced" to attend the banguet in Lk 14.

 

[Jordon]

So, there's no difference among the three groups of people in the Parable? Fine. Have it your way. But it seems to me that the last two groups were "forced" to attend the banguet in Lk 14.

my way is his way.

You saying its my way is nice if you can say it's his way to to.

Seen in his way in his light there deeds where exposed and they turned away.

The prodigal son also turned away but he was still seen in the light and he returned.

 

[Kroogz]

Must be since God gives grace ONLY to the humble. He resists and detests the PROUD.

Kroogz said:
Were you humble or proud when you received Grace?

@Rufus ~~~Both!

 

[Genez]

You don't read too swell, do you?

And... what should be done to someone who does not read too swell?

Tell us, please?

So, we can know what needs to be done with you.

.....

 

[Kroogz]

And... what should be done to someone who does not read too swell?

Tell us, please?

So, we can know what needs to be done with you.

.....

hukd on foniks.

 

[Jordon]

And... what should be done to someone who does not read too swell?

Tell us, please?

So, we can know what needs to be done with you.

.....

Ha that's a joke, how much have you not read anything I've said.

I no longer think you have a plank in your eye.

I think you are the plank

 

[Magenta]

@Magenta : Sister, as I've said before: I, and may others here LOVE your Artwork, so please don't stop it!

And another idea is this: What about putting these IDIOTS on IGNORE?! You know: the ones who keep attacking you!!

Good day, Douglas, and thank you! Yes, I do have some in that category, since their constant lies, misrepresentations,
and false accusations were so blatantly hate-fuelled and obviously personal, and it really did look like some had come
here just to target me. Kz entered these discussions with a slew of lies and every time I peek he is telling more lies to
me and about me, and/or misrepresenting in some way. Another one is just so vile, the wicked things he says about
God are simply disgusting. He proved to me probably about five years ago that he was an unrepentant liar. Nothing
has changed. Now it seems he amuses himself by rewriting the very words of Jesus Christ Himself. One guy came
after me right after joining the site. Well, he was not the only one, but he was here in this or a very similar thread
for a while... I did try talking to him for some time but he was another one who did the will of his father the devil
with his constant false accusations, which he built up to after all his initial criticisms. He also advertised his own
personal website, and spoke in a lot of gobbledygook abbreviations that he seemed to want everyone to memorize.
I don't think anybody wanted to LOL Oh, yes, after he repeatedly lied to me and falsely accused me of stuff, he
insisted I should be seeking peace with him, and in the middle of that exchange he let loose his volley of false
accusations all over again. These people are incorrigible and I honestly have no desire to engage them most of
the time (even if I respond once in a blue moon). They love to stir up trouble and have been marked as to be
avoided just as Scripture says. For all the nonsense some of the others speak, it gets to be just par for the course
of being online. One laughed at the idea of being held accountable for the things they say. I am reminded of
another who I realized right away would be pointless to speak with the way they over analysed everything and
threw their credentials around as if that justified their constant denial of what others beieved. For months they
trash-talked another poster and then claimed it was all to keep the other busy and entertained. See what I mean?
They are incorrigible and I know it. B_H was attacking the character of any he calls Calvies for some time and then
cried a river when he felt attacked because I called him out for his ongoing reprehensible behaviour.

 

[Jordon]

So, there's no difference among the three groups of people in the Parable? Fine. Have it your way. But it seems to me that the last two groups were "forced" to attend the banguet in Lk 14.

Luke 14 says he was even exposing there deeds to people invited to the wedding

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited

 

[reneweddaybyday]

I can't see how you could miss out the God of all grace is working in us.

Which mercy is working inside us.

We all at the mercy seat of the father

I clearly stated that it is the God of all grace Who is at work within us as we go through afflictions in this life.

Do you believe mercy is the only thing we need in this lifetime?

and, yes, agree we come boldly unto the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.

I'll show you how his mercy of strengthening fear is also his eternal will decreed from his will from the beginning.

Psalm 103:17

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—

I have no problem with this verse ... and there is a difference between the fear (reverence, respect, honor) due to the Lord and the fear (fright, terror, horror) the children of Israel had which kept them from going into the promise land.

The children of Israel allowed their fear (fright, terror, horror) of the giants the spies saw in the promised land draw them away from the fear (reverence, respect, honor) due to the Lord. God had promised He would lead them into the promised land. They should have believed what God told them.

The children of Israel believed the report of the 10 spies and rejected the report of Caleb and Joshua. Caleb and Joshua were wholly reverent of God and they knew God would lead them and rid the land of those God wanted removed.

And, to be honest, the best "fear" the child of God is to have to God is the reverence, respect, honor.

Those who are fearful as in fright, terror, horror toward God are those who do not believe that God is a loving, heavenly Father. so sad that's how some see God.

Hopefully this should be the last of it, and we can both gallop of into the sunset with this my little mare

.

 

[Jordon]

I clearly stated that it is the God of all grace Who is at work within us as we go through afflictions in this life.

Do you believe mercy is the only thing we need in this lifetime?

and, yes, agree we come boldly unto the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need.





I have no problem with this verse ... and there is a difference between the fear (reverence, respect, honor) due to the Lord and the fear (fright, terror, horror) the children of Israel had which kept them from going into the promise land.

The children of Israel allowed their fear (fright, terror, horror) of the giants the spies saw in the promised land draw them away from the fear (reverence, respect, honor) due to the Lord. God had promised He would lead them into the promised land. They should have believed what God told them.

The children of Israel believed the report of the 10 spies and rejected the report of Caleb and Joshua. Caleb and Joshua were wholly reverent of God and they knew God would lead them and rid the land of those God wanted removed.

And, to be honest, the best "fear" the child of God is to have to God is the reverence, respect, honor.

Those who are fearful as in fright, terror, horror toward God are those who do not believe that God is a loving, heavenly Father. so sad that's how some see God.

.

red sky night at night shepherds delight ha

I believe you've missed a reason why they where in fear.

Would the lord have left them in the wilderness if his strengthening fear was not enough for what he works in us

Clue
My grace is sufficient for you

 

[reneweddaybyday]

hukd on foniks.

hah!!!

.

 

[Jordon]

Hoola hoops haa

Holar mercy madam

 

[Jordon]

 

[Jordon]

The eternal word dam

In the Bible often refers to a mother of an animal

 

[Jordon]

The eternal dam


Deuteronomy 22:6

New International Version



6 If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.

 

[Genez]

Really? Then why are the "called" and the "chosen" contrasted as indicated by the "but" in Mat 22:14? Also, you might want to read the Parable of the Banquet in LK 14 wherein there are 3 groups of people mentioned. Have you ever noticed that the ones called externally by the Gospel, never make it to the banquet; but the other two groups who were chosen were compelled to attend?

Translation?
Many are saved, but few are chosen.
Few chosen to reign with Christ.

You see in Romans 8:30, that to be called?
Means to be saved!

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; ​

those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:30​

​

​

To be "called?"
Romans 8:30, they were saved according to what that verse tells us!

Many are called? = Many are saved!

But, only a few of the saved? They will qualify to reign with Christ! = Chosen.

Many take the broad and wide way that leads to the destruction of their spiritual lives.
Only a few will find the life more abundantly that Jesus died to give us all.
Only a few will find it. And these few will reign with Christ, not just be saved.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But strait is the gate
and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Broad and wide = thousands of closed minded denominations.

Strait and narrow = Independent, exegetical pastors, leading churches.

Few find it.

 

[cv5]

John 3:8

John 3:8 KJV
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

Calvinist claim

Calvinists argue this means regeneration is unconditional and irresistible, because the Spirit supposedly regenerates a person without their cooperation.

Correct explanation in context

Jesus is explaining the mysterious nature, not the method, of the new birth. He is teaching Nicodemus that the new birth cannot be seen with the eyes, just as the wind cannot be seen. The point is invisibility, not irresistibility.

Jesus does not say the Spirit regenerates without faith. In the same conversation Jesus insists on belief.

John 3:16 KJV​

“Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”​

​

John 3:18 KJV​

“He that believeth on him is not condemned.”​

​

John 3:36 KJV​

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”​

The entire chapter teaches faith precedes life, not life precedes faith.

John 20:31 KJV​

“…that believing ye might have life through his name.”​

The wind illustration teaches that spiritual birth is invisible, not unconditional.


John 5:21

John 5:21 KJV​

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”​

Calvinist claim

Calvinists claim Jesus quickens only the elect and does so irresistibly.

Correct explanation in context

The verse is referring to resurrection power, not selection of individuals to salvation. Jesus explains two kinds of quickening in this same chapter.

1. Resurrection life in salvation
   John 5:24 KJV
   “He that heareth my word, and believeth… hath everlasting life.”

The condition is hearing and believing.

1. Resurrection life at the last day for all
   John 5:28 to 29 KJV
   “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth…”

Everyone is resurrected by His will, including the saved and the lost.

Meaning:

“Whom he will” refers to His right and authority as the divine Son to give life, not to an arbitrary selection. He gives salvation life to believers, exactly as He states.

John 5:40 KJV​

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”​

If they would come, they would receive life. This contradicts the Calvinist idea of irresistible regeneration.


Luke 10:22

Luke 10:22 KJV​

“All things are delivered to me of my Father, and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father, and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”​

Calvinist claim

Calvinists argue Jesus only reveals the Father to the elect.

Correct explanation in context

The passage is about divine revelation, not unconditional election.

Jesus reveals the Father to those who are humble, receptive, and childlike in faith.

Luke 10:21 KJV​

“…thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”​

God does not hide truth arbitrarily. He hides truth from the proud and reveals it to the humble and believing. That is a moral condition, not an unconditional decree.

Compare this with:

James 4:6 KJV​

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”​

​

Psalm 25:9 KJV​

“The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.”​

Jesus reveals the Father to those whose hearts respond to God’s drawing, not to an elect group predetermined without conditions..

It is quality Bible centric commentary like yours that edifies many. So good that I had to bookmark this post....

Strangely, (or more likely predictably), no cogent reply nor interesting counterplay offered by the many Calvinists in the peanut gallery.

 

[OLDBUTNEW]

Good day, Douglas, and thank you! Yes, I do have some in that category, since their constant lies, misrepresentations,
and false accusations were so blatantly hate-fuelled and obviously personal, and it really did look like some had come
here just to target me. Kz entered these discussions with a slew of lies and every time I peek he is telling more lies to
me and about me, and/or misrepresenting in some way. Another one is just so vile, the wicked things he says about
God are simply disgusting. He proved to me probably about five years ago that he was an unrepentant liar. Nothing
has changed. Now it seems he amuses himself by rewriting the very words of Jesus Christ Himself. One guy came
after me right after joining the site. Well, he was not the only one, but he was here in this or a very similar thread
for a while... I did try talking to him for some time but he was another one who did the will of his father the devil
with his constant false accusations, which he built up to after all his initial criticisms. He also advertised his own
personal website, and spoke in a lot of gobbledygook abbreviations that he seemed to want everyone to memorize.
I don't think anybody wanted to LOL Oh, yes, after he repeatedly lied to me and falsely accused me of stuff, he
insisted I should be seeking peace with him, and in the middle of that exchange he let loose his volley of false
accusations all over again. These people are incorrigible and I honestly have no desire to engage them most of
the time (even if I respond once in a blue moon). They love to stir up trouble and have been marked as to be
avoided just as Scripture says. For all the nonsense some of the others speak, it gets to be just par for the course
of being online. One laughed at the idea of being held accountable for the things they say. I am reminded of
another who I realized right away would be pointless to speak with the way they over analysed everything and
threw their credentials around as if that justified their constant denial of what others beieved. For months they
trash-talked another poster and then claimed it was all to keep the other busy and entertained. See what I mean?
They are incorrigible and I know it. B_H was attacking the character of any he calls Calvies for some time and then
cried a river when he felt attacked because I called him out for his ongoing reprehensible behaviour.

Dear sister Magenta,

These attacks on you are absolutely pathetic, appalling and unacceptable, and I still believe that it's due to the sexist attitude which many men, even today, still have towards women, sadly!

Seriously, I'm wondering if GOD didn't make women to be more intelligent than men in general, and this is why so many men feel threatened by women, which in turn is evident by their sexist attitude and behaviour!!

And it makes it worse, when the men here are supposed to Christians!! They really do need to Repent.

Also, I think you have been more than fair and reasonable with these men, and I really don't think they deserve anymore of your patience and kindness!

So please just stay strong, and keep up your great work (you really are a brilliant teacher!), and ignore the IDIOTS! After all, I believe they're very jealous of you, with your superior Biblical knowledge, and that's why they've turned nasty!

Please take good care.

Your Brother in Christ, always,

Douglas