Can We Really Exercise Free Will?
- Thread starter LifelongLearner
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Believer08
Guest
Oh no little buddy of course not. These kinds of precious insights and this sort of invaluable knowledge are indeed the fruits of the labor of the workman who shall not be ashamed "in that day"......
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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Believer08
Guest
BTW: The one who freely smelt it…freely dealt it!!! *freely cuts some high stinkin’ cheese in da house!!!*
Incoming!!!
Incoming!!!
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Believer08
Guest
Here’s what the pain of being constipated freely moved the Chinese man to say…”heee-yaaaaa!!!!”
On the road to Emmaus when Jesus opened the understanding of His fellow travelers, is that an example of gnosis?
No, that's an example of the spirit of understanding. It's like Jesus walking in the midst of the 7-gold candlesticks that illuminates one's understanding
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Believer08
Guest
he sounds like Scrooge's brother to me m.
Your wasting your time, every word he says has error. In that post, not just that m but hes the kind of person that just finds fault in people.
He couldn't care less bro. You know the type, sod you im ok jack.
He doesn't know what salvation means either as he doesn't know what God holds precious in his sovereign Will of salvation, which is only the lord knows who will be saved m,..and even if you showed him in scripture he would ignore it like so many people do m, he would come straight back on here saying the same thing.
Because it's an open door for him to mouth of, and a perfect excuse..
You know the excuse what everyone else has and gets away with, calling people evil Calvinists, and with people like him, it's always down to the inner rebellion of there own wrong doings m
They think they can win God over by calling everyone out.
I would say you need to get out more and research things.
Here are Reformed organizations that use the name Calvin in it.
1. From "Humble Calvinism" by J. A. Medders (a Calvinist author and site promoter):
- "Many of us who love to love the 'doctrines of grace' have not grown in showing grace, We have not become more gracious, kind, tender, and compassionate. And that can only mean one thing: we actually don’t know the doctrines of grace. Sure, we know the points and can rehearse the arguments and even recall verses to support the five petals of the TULIP. But an arrogant and argumentative Calvinist is just a Pharisee with a fresh coat of paint."
2. The phrase, “You don’t understand Calvinism“ has become a popular meme due to the fact that other Calvinists have said this to not only me but to many other Christians over the years. https://soteriology101.com/2017/05/20/you-dont-understand-calvinism/3.
3. Calvinism is the gospel - Quote by Spurgeon:
“I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchanging, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor.”
Sermon, A Defense of Calvinism. - C.H. Spurgeon.
4. Calvinist author in his book provides these quotes:
When Paul reflected on the doctrines that make up what we call Calvinism, he was moved to rejoice in God. This is the key to not killing off today’s Calvinist upsurge. When we read our books, attend our conferences, and ‘Piperup’ our iPods, the primary goal must not be to gain a better understanding of 16th- and 17th-century doctrine. It must be to be blown out of the water by the God who has chosen us in infinite mercy and wisdom.” (18) - A quote from pro Calvinist author Greg Dutcher of the book “Killing Calvinism”
I believe with all my heart that Calvinism is a treasure. It beautifully summarizes and systematizes the truths concerning our salvation revealed in Scripture. But treasure in the hands of fools is a frightening prospect, and nothing fuels a fool more than pride. I pray that my fellow Calvinists would join me in hunting down every vestige of pride in our hearts, right down to the last lingering impulse of arrogance.” (82) A quote from pro Calvinist author Greg Dutcher of the book “Killing Calvinism”
Source:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/20-quotes-from-killing-calvinism
5. Why I am a Calvinist by Brandon Lucas.
https://www.monergism.com/blog/why-i-am-calvinist-brandon-lucas-guest-post
6. I have talked with Calvinists since 2010 on different Christian forums over the years and many of them did not have a problem with me using the term “Calvinism.”
7. Ligonier Ministries quotes a Calvinistic pastor on their website. He states, I quote:
”Pastor Ian Hamilton demonstrates that Calvinism is biblical, God-centered Christianity with important implications for our daily lives.“
Source:
https://www.ligonier.org/posts/calvinism-and-christian-life-new-teaching-series-ian-hamilton
So if you have a problem in others here calling you Calvinist, and say it is false slander then you need to rebuke all these others who refer to their belief as Calvinism and who hold to the same teachings you do. Granted, I do agree it is good to try and obey 1 Corinthians 3, but I believe one can clarify this and do so with acknowledging the truth that there are many believers out there who do self identify as being a Calvinist. To ignore this is to ignore the world we live in.
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So...if God used the word of God to open an individual's understanding in bringing them to faith, would that be gnosis?
No. Understanding is not gnosis (knowledge) and gnostic beliefs contradict scripture.
Acts 16you Forgot to add living in hope, it's in his hope you get saved not by will not by choice not by trust of the unsaved, it's cited in scripture
And if your refering to people that hinder according to Calvinist bashing squad here . More fool you ,
30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house.
If God gives an individual a new heart, is that gnosis?