Featured Is there any other way to read this verse?

Since Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, either way, you read it depicts faith based on sovereign election eternally in God.

 

What is incorrect? God has decreed that we are saved because of our faith. He does not have faith for us, that is a calvinist invention.

 

If you have a problem with the idea that God saves those that believe then you have a problem with the bible.

 

Funny you say corporate election is a human construction and yet you hold on to the ultimate human construction "Calvinism. You may not like it but all those that trust in Christ Jesus are elect because we have trusted in Him.

 

Martin you hold to "irresistible grace" but I would lay odds that you shy away from the other side of that which would be"irresistible reprobation". That is the logical outcome of the Calvinist theology that you try to cover up or keep in the shadows.
I do not find calvinism to be biblical but is a man made self aggrandizing theology.
What I have found is that those that hold to calvinism tend to have a hollier than thou attitude. It's we understand the bible, we have come to understand the deeper things. Sounds a lot like gnosticism to me.
If you think I am over stating this just go on some of the calvinist web sites or boards.

 

As you know perfectly well, I have no problem at all with the fact that God saves those who believe, and nor SFAIK does any Calvinist.

 

Ii thess 3:2. “Not all have faith”

 

Well, suppose I have found Arminianism to be a man-made self-aggrandizing theology, and suppose I find that Arminians (and you especially) tend to have a holier-than-thou attitude. Where does that get us? Why don't you argue from the Scriptures instead of indulging in rather pathetic insults?

With regard to your comment about 'irresistible reprobation,' why don't you read John 6:39 and then read John 6:40? The gate of heaven is wide open and whoever will may enter. However, the fact is that the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, not because God conceals them from him, but because they are foolishness to him (1 Corinthians 2:14) and because men actually prefer darkness to light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19), and because the god of this world has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, unless God gives a sinner new birth he will neither see nor enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5) because of his wicked, unbelieving heart.

 

Jonah also ignored God telling him to go to Nineveh and tried to go his own way.
MB

 

All those points were already addressed in the initial post.

 

Acts of the Apostles 13:48:
"When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of [fn]the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."

The above verse is poorly translated because "had been appointed" translates a Greek word meaning to make an arrangement by mutual consent as if it meant a unilateral action by God.

So the verse might be translated as "When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had accepted direction to eternal life believed.

Poor or vague translations when the meaning can be derived contextually are unnecessary and provide an opening for false doctrine.

 

Yes I agree and your point is?

 

But God overruled him!!

Why?

think about it, why would God do that?

because God had determined it to be so

 

How can you exercise faith if you don’t have it

 

Fanciful

in 2000 yrs of Xian history, you are the only one that I am aware of with that translation.

 

The reader may possibly wonder why every Bible translation is wrong and @Van is right. But, of course, the question answers itself.
There is no verb 'to accept' or 'to accept direction' in Acts 13:48 in any extant Greek text. Nor does tasso mean 'to make an arrangement by mutual consent' anywhere in the N.T. so far as I can see. The meaning of tasso is 'to appoint,' 'ordain,' 'set in order,' 'arrange.' 'consecrate' (oneself. 1 Corinthians 16:15).
Fanciful or false translations when the meaning can be derived linguistically, grammatically and/or contextually are (to put it no more strongly) unnecessary and provide an opening for false doctrine.

 

Many many Calvinists try to marginalize my views by falsely claiming they are not shared by published (i.e. found on line) scholars. For you to be unable to find a lexicon that indicates the Greek word means an agreement by mutual consent, and to be unable to find numerous examples of such usage demonstrates your view is outside the mainstream.

 

Many many Calvinists try to marginalize my views by falsely claiming they are not shared by published (i.e. found on line) scholars. For you to be unable to find a lexicon that indicates the Greek word means an agreement by mutual consent, and to be unable to find numerous examples of such usage demonstrates your view is outside the mainstream.

 

Martin, not trying to insult anyone just pointing out what I have seen on these sites. Sorry that you think I have a holier-than-thou attitude that's not my intent. But I am surprised that you would resort to the "you to" argument, I would expect better from you.

You almost got the whole thing right. Man has a free will and that is why he does what he does and because of that the judgement is deserved. My question for you is when are sinners born again before or after they believe?

And in regard to 'irresistible reprobation,' why don't you look at the theology that you hold to. The logical outcome of calvinist views lead to this result. Your a logical man so be honest with yourself and think it through.

 

I do not believe God predetermines everything. Jonah was already a minister of God's. There is nothing unusual about a follower being corrected. Jonah still could have refused although not to his own benefit. So much for determinism..There is a lot to be said for freewill
MB