Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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cv5 said:
As to the identity of the Wise Men, the word that Matthew uses to describe them is Magoi. As we take this word over into a Persian setting, an amazing fact emerges. The Parthian Dynasty was ruled by something equivalent to our houses of Parliament. They called It the Megistanes. The Lower House members were called the Sophoi or ‘Wise Ones’: the Upper House members were called the Magoi or ‘Great Ones’. It was these Magoi, the king makers of their empire, that come to visit Jesus. It was not the astrologers – It was the politicians – and there were more then 3, even if only three types of gift were given.
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I knew there were more than 3 ... I did not know they were the political faction ... makes sense though. The astrologers would have reported the celestial events ... then I suppose the delegation was sent.




cv5 said:
This delegation of Rulers from Persia penetrated 750 km into Roman territory. They would be escorted by their crack cavalry units that consistently won out against the Romans. These Persians were the finest equestrians in the world.

They always rode horses as their means of transport – camels were only used for baggage. Consequently, it was no wonder that Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. He had a small army from a foreign power at the gates of Jerusalem. And at a very inconvenient time too. Herod’s garrison that normally protected Jerusalem was away helping fight the Homonadensian War. Jerusalem was virtually undefended. Furthermore, the news was not good. These Magoi proclaimed the birth of a contender for Herod’s throne. Indeed, they had come to support this child-king, and their army was there to back them.
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I love the fact that they left Herod in the lurch and did not report back to him. :cool:

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brightfame52 said:
So to impose Rom 1:18ff and natural creation revealed Christ is desperate just because those men seen a star.
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I also pointed out verses which state that the heavens reveal the glory of God ...

Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.


Psalm 97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

God's glory in creation is one of the ways God draws mankind to Himself.

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reneweddaybyday said:
you didn't say the gospel ... you said Christ​

brightfame52 said:
They go hand in hand
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lots of folks believe Jesus lived and He lived when He lived, yet they do not believe the gospel of Christ ... you've probably got some folks sitting in the pews of the church you attend who know "of" Christ ... but they do not believe the gospel of Christ so they are not born again. Those who are born again are instructed to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).

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sawdust said:
I do my own thinking. You simply do not understand either of us.
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Thinking doesn't get a person saved, you can think absolutely anything in favour of compassion for a vulnerable nature, and you can even use compassion as a weapon against justice, but ultimately Devine justice wins everyone, and ultimately God either accepts people as his own or he doesn't, and that's only done through devine intervention, and a personal relationship.

We could go on and on about all kinds of ideas but ultimately when God and his word fails a person not by his choice, he hasn't made that person believe not by his choice, because the person has said in there heart I'll believe in myself with my own free will and I don't believe, bla bla bla, is basically how people act
 
Cameron143 said:
No, it's not. It is one possibility, and not even the most probable.
So again, why would the Magi be looking for a star that would lead them to a Jewish Messiah?
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you do not know that they were "looking for a star that would lead them to a Jewish Messiah" ... "that is only one possibility, and not even the most probable" if you'd take into consideration the religion of the Persians (Zoroastrianism).

I told you what I believe ... you disagree (shocker) ... so be it.

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reneweddaybyday said:
you do not know that they were "looking for a star that would lead them to a Jewish Messiah" ... "that is only one possibility, and not even the most probable" if you'd take into consideration the religion of the Persians (Zoroastrianism).

I told you what I believe ... you disagree (shocker) ... so be it.

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Matthew 2 says they followed a star in search of the King of the Jews. Somehow they knew the star would lead them and it would lead them to the King of the Jews. How do Persian wise men know of a Jewish King and the sign of His coming?
 
Genez said:
He's been out of answers for a while now.
He will resort to silliness when it happens.

It has been happening a lot lately.
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silly monkey, when will you ever learn.

This little monkey says your a bit to cold

 
reneweddaybyday said:
have you ever heard of Zoroastrianism?
.
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What many do not realize....
The Magi came from the area that had been highly influenced by Daniel.


Daniel served as a high-ranking official, essentially a prime minister or chief administrator,
in the Babylonian and later Medo-Persian empires, appointed for his wisdom and integrity
by successive kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Darius the Mede, rising to oversee the entire
kingdom despite being a captive. He managed government affairs, interpreted dreams, and
gained immense authority, becoming the most trusted advisor to the rulers.

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cv5 said:
Of course not.

Col 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain G2756 deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
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They had been used to confusing baby Christians.

It became evident as seen by what level they try to make their arguments.
 
Genez said:
They had been used to confusing baby Christians.

It became evident as seen by what level they try to make their arguments.
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this little monkey says the only pity you have is self pity 🙃,

The level you will drop to condem people is truly remarkable 🙂
 
Jordon said:
this little monkey says you pull tails and tell tails 😋


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I was prophetic....


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The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.​
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A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.​
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A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.​
​

Good thing that you are too young to drink.
 
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