Search results

Obviously.... and you failed to answer the question I asked why? Sure they do, so you believe the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son (of which the father said was dead but is now alive again) are representative of saved people who have grieved the spirit? So when you grieve the spirit...

Athanasius (~297-373 A.D.) "For being Word of the Father, and above all, He alone of natural fitness was both able to recreate everything, and worthy to suffer on behalf of all and to be ambassador for all with the Father" Incarnation of the Word chapter 7 (Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers 2nd...

12Strings, Even notable historian and respected Reformed scholar, Lorraine Boettner, concluded that Augustine was the first to clearly espouse a Reformed belief. The quotes you've provided, especially when coupled with the much clearer context and other quotes from these ECFs, in no way show...

I expected as much... We are talking about the interpretation of these texts Amy, which clearly can be understood in more than one way...as evidenced by 400 years of those discipled directly by the apostles and their immediate followers. I'm not wanting this thread to become about your...

You'll have to talk to Sam about that, but I suspect, if I know the semantics that Calvinists play, that he means that the reprobate have the same 'command' or 'call' to believe as the elect. Both of them are given a 'warrant' to repent and believe, but that ignores the fact that only one is...

Amen! Great passages!

Look at where Augustine is on this chart and tell me that is not troubling to know that he was the first to teach individualized approach to election/predestination????

Not exactly. We believe we are totally disabled from saving ourselves. We can't be saved without Him. Calvinists like to take passages which teach that we can't seek God (i.e. Rom 3:10-11) to prove that we can't respond to a God actively seek to save us. It is unfounded. But not prior to...

Where the subsequent parables of the lost sheep and lost coin likewise not really about 'the lost' but just the backslidden? If so, why then did the father say, "He was once dead but now is alive?" This illustrates the concept of RECONCILIATION. Mankind as a whole is being reconciled back...

A survey of the teachings of the Early Church Fathers (ECFs) reveals that they promoted a more 'synergistic' approach to salvation and the concept of free will (quotes to be provided). What is evident (to scholars from both perspectives) is that Augustine was the first of the ECFs to teach the...

Sorry to have to be the one to tell you that the inconsistency is yours. We deny WORKS in salvation because we understand the difference in meritorious works by which one earns or deserves his salvation by his deeds, and imputed righteousness by Grace through faith. Tell me, did the Prodigal...

Thanks, just in case election is conditioned upon weakness (i.e. "He chooses the weak to shame the wise"), I'm striving to be at the top of that list. :thumbs:

Herald, I was blessed that you chose to grace me with your presence at all, brother. You are indeed invincible and well known while I remain stupid and unworthy of your efforts. :smilewinkgrin:

Which comparison? His intelligence to mine, or "God's decree of whatsoever comes to pass" to "God's decree of whatsoever theological view his followers adopt?" Do you not believe our theological views are contained in 'whatsoever comes to pass' or do you just not hold to that particular...

Somewhat true, as there are some hard deterministic posters here (who, though I disagree with their views, I find them to be more consistent logically than the more moderate/mainstream version). Most Calvinists are determinists...as even compatibilism claims that determinism and free will are...

Finally! Consistency! I've missed you brother!

No, I'm saying that if God unchangeably decrees whatsoever comes to pass (a view held to by most Calvinists), that would undoubtably include our particular belief system. And if the non-elect reprobate shouldn't question why God made him such (the faulty application of Rom 9 by Calvinism); then...

Nope. It implies that if Calvinism's premise is true then Calvinists shouldn't question as to why God made some to be Arminians and some to be Calvinists. If you deny contra-causal freedom and insist that God decrees whatsoever comes to pass so that it unchangeably will come to pass (as some...

Yall crack me up. This post was tongue in cheek but the reaction makes me think there must be something to it. :) It's just interesting that Calvinists love quoting this passage in Romans 9 when anyone questions why God would make someone unable to willingly respond to His appeal for...

Will the Calvinists say to the One who made the Arminian, 'Why did you make him that way?' But who are you, O Calvinist, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make him like this?' Does not the Potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay...