Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Genez]

Yes, agree to some extent, but it is well documented that John Calvin studied the writings of Augustine and was heavily influenced by his ideas.

The body of Christ should always be growing and advancing in understanding.
Just like you changed from when you were a child through the various stages of life.

 

[HeIsHere]

So the baby is human at conception but doesn't have a human nature?

Is there a nature giving ceremony I'm not aware of?

You have not proven/shown using scripture your characterization/description/concept/idea of human nature is present at birth.

 

[Genez]

Scripture?

I would have to recommend a pastor who spent hours in the teaching from the Hebrew and Greek.
No money asked for. From the Hebrew and Greek texts.

Then you would be able to begin to think with what you need to think with.
It's not some simple basic teaching like you ask for.

 

[Genez]

if you don't know it's wrong your not accountable according to Jeremiah they did know it was wrong as the lord said they have done it since youth whilst I have nurtured them.

They were told what is correct.
Evil rationalized it away.

Rationalized it away, like the line of reasoning Satan handed Eve in the Garden.

 

[Cameron143]

You have not proven/shown using scripture your characterization/description/concept/idea of human nature is present at birth.

Is the child human inside the womb? If so, it has a human nature. Does it grow into a dog? Why not?

 

[HeIsHere]

Is the child human inside the womb? If so, it has a human nature. Does it grow into a dog? Why not?

Do you even understand the argument?

 

[LightBearer316]

No I got it from Jewish sources. Gentile proselytes had to obey certain rules to attend synagogues, and James stated those rules. Once Christians were kicked out of the synagogues, and out of necessity moved on into their own gathering, then those rules were irrelevent.

I appreciate that background, but those “rules of synagogue admission” you’re referencing weren’t actually the basis of the decree in Acts 15 — the timing and reasoning don’t fit.

James wasn’t quoting pre-existing rabbinic guidelines but giving Spirit-led direction to the newly formed church, not to the synagogue system. The Jerusalem Council’s letter (Acts 15:23-29) was addressed to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia — not to synagogue attendees. The decision came after Paul and Barnabas had already been preaching in Gentile regions, well outside the synagogue context.

The language of verse 28 makes that clear:

“It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things...”​

That’s divine authority, not a reference to a rabbinic custom. Those instructions dealt with things that deeply intertwined with idolatry, immorality, and fellowship between Jews and Gentiles — moral and relational matters that remained relevant long after Christians were no longer part of synagogue life (compare 1 Cor 8–10).

So while rabbinic parallels exist, Acts 15 isn’t quoting them — it’s superseding them under apostolic authority for the sake of unity in Christ.

Grace and peace.

 

[Jordon]

They were told what is correct.
Evil rationalized it away.

Rationalized it away, like the line of reasoning Satan handed Eve in the Garden.

your still kicking your goad and your still justifying sin. By not calling it out for what it is.

And the lord would know that of you too, which is why his enabling grace will be lit in a temporal state first

 

[Cameron143]

You have not proven/shown using scripture your characterization/description/concept/idea of human nature is present at birth.

How is someone human and not have a human nature?

This is inane.

 

[Cameron143]

Do you even understand the argument?

When does a dog get its nature?

 

[Magenta]

How is someone human and not have a human nature?

This is inane.

Totally. Perhaps she would like to postulate that human babies have the nature of a banana, or puppy.

She starts down many roads she really ought not.

 

[Magenta]

When does a dog get its nature?

At conception. If this is a nature or nurture construct/proposition, she is still being irrational.

Just goes to show the lengths she is willing to "travel" to uphold her vain self-exalting philosophy which contradicts Scripture.

 

[Jordon]

At conception. If this is a nature or nurture construct/proposition, she is still being irrational.

Just goes to show the lengths she is willing to "travel" to uphold her vain self-exalting philosophy which contradicts Scripture.

its because she's pussy footing like a cat

 

[Cameron143]

I would have to recommend a pastor who spent hours in the teaching from the Hebrew and Greek.
No money asked for. From the Hebrew and Greek texts.

Then you would be able to begin to think with what you need to think with.
It's not some simple basic teaching like you ask for.

Do you believe that human nature is given at birth? And that because you believe the soul is given at birth? How about dogs? Do they have souls? Given at birth?

Side question: is abortion murder if the child has no soul?

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

James wasn’t quoting pre-existing rabbinic guidelines but giving Spirit-led direction to the newly formed church, not to the synagogue system. The Jerusalem Council’s letter (Acts 15:23-29) was addressed to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia — not to synagogue attendees. The decision came after Paul and Barnabas had already been preaching in Gentile regions, well outside the synagogue context.

Once again you don't know what you're talking about and misrepresenting what I've said, as usual. The first Christians attended synagogues to learn about Christ. The exclusion of gentiles from syngodgues didn't happen until after around 70AD and later, well after the Jerusalem Council. James' rules weren't for the synagogue system, but for gentile believers in order to remain in it to learn about Christ.

Your AI programming needs some work.

 

[Jordon]

i know! it's as feasible as the imaginary *reds-under-the-beds* stupidity of the '60s. However, many really believed the big bad Commies were out to get them back then, with this lot it's any excuse to troll.

it like Ai Gemini she will get angry if you tell her she's accountable to God and she will say I don't have a conscience.

But I guess that's accurate for her but is it accurate of those who reject God, or is it there not bothered by there conscience living there life for the moment and not living his life. Speaking of the unsaved that is.

So I can guess you can have a conscience but not have one

 

[Genez]

How is someone human and not have a human nature?

This is inane.

Being a soul is being what God created in his image. Genesis 1:26-27.

A body for mobilizing the soul in the material world was provided for only after man was already created in God's image. Genesis 2:7

 

[Bible_Highlighter]

Again you fail to see him fighting against the lords will, what was the goad Paul was kicking against.

Did the lord put a chain around him m

Nope the goad was the prick in Paul's conscience called the lords will.

But anyhow keep Kicking against what you consider to be your own goad, it will one day kick back

Again, this does not prove Calvinism. Stephen when he was stoned by the Jews said to them that they always do resist the Holy Ghost.

Acts 7:51 (KJV):

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”​

If you claim these Jews are unregenerate, then it would be pointless for the Holy Ghost to try and reach them (whereby they would resist Him). Thats the same idea with the goads pricking the conscience of Saul/Paul. It was not some scenario where man's ounce of free will was about to die before God totally mind wiped them to believe.

I mean, stop and think a moment. If God forces a person to believe, then why doesn't He make them His slave to obey Him?

1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 (KJV)

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.”​

1 Peter 1:15–16 (KJV)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”​

According to the verses above, it is God's will for believers to live holy. In other words, the fact that believers can sometimes stumble on their road to being sanctified or living holy in this life shows that you are not a mindless puppet to God. You have free will to either obey God or to not obey Him. The same is true when you chose to believe in Jesus, who is God. Sure, you needed to be enabled or enlightened by God to see in order to believe but you were not forced against your will when it came time to believe; Otherwise, God would force you to obey Him, too. But of course, Calvinism is not consistent.




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[Jordon]

Do you believe that human nature is given at birth? And that because you believe the soul is given at birth? How about dogs? Do they have souls? Given at birth?

Side question: is abortion murder if the child has no soul?

all life has his life in them in someway and anti abortion is a big deal because of it m

 

[Jordon]

Again, this does not prove Calvinism. Stephen when he was stoned by the Jews said to them that they always do resist the Holy Ghost.

Acts 7:51 (KJV):

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”​

If you claim these Jews are unregenerate, then it would be pointless for the Holy Ghost to try and reach them (whereby they would resist Him). Thats the same idea with the goads pricking the conscience of Saul/Paul. It was not some scenario where man's ounce of free will was about to die before God totally mind wiped them to believe.

I mean, stop and think a moment. If God forces a person to believe, then why doesn't He make them His slave to obey Him?

1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 (KJV)

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:​

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.”​

1 Peter 1:15–16 (KJV)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;​

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”​

According to the verses above, it is God's will for believers to live holy. In other words, the fact that believers can sometimes stumble on their road to being sanctified or living holy in this life shows that you are not a mindless puppet to God. You have free will to either obey God or to not obey Him. The same is true when you chose to believe in Jesus, who is God. Sure, you needed to be enabled or enlightened by God to see in order to believe but you were not forced against your will when it came time to believe; Otherwise, God would force you to obey Him, too. But of course, Calvinism is not consistent.




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I know it's munch munch time again, yummy Calvinists for lunch with shepherds delight for desert