Is God Sovereign?

[SheepWhisperer]

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

46:12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

No need to give you my opinion scripture says it all... Brother Glen

Absolutely. And even in this scripture God makes an appeal to the will of men.
God's plan and purpose cannot be changed and WILL come to pass. Part of that plan an purpose was to give mankind the ability and freedom to CHOOSE LIFE. And that life is in His Son.

By "sovereignty" the "reformed" mean that God controls everything, including man's will, like a cosmic puppeteer.

 

[thatbrian]

Part of that plan an purpose was to give mankind the ability and freedom to CHOOSE LIFE. And that life is in His Son.

God gave mankind the ability to make a choice from options it has never heard of? How have you arrived at that conclusion?

 

[SheepWhisperer]

God gave mankind the ability to make a choice from options it has never heard of? How have you arrived at that conclusion?

Not sure what you mean.

 

[MB]

This verse shows that mere Sovereignty is lacking in the description of God's power.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If God were sovereign, (per the Calvinist definition) we would have to wrestle God. Since everything has been predetermined.

Saying God is Sovereign as in the Calvinist definition is blaming God for the sin in the world making God responsible for sin if indeed everything is predetermined as Calvinism claims.

Sheepwhisperer has made an excellent point God is all powerful not Sovereign. All powerful means He is above Sovereignty. Being all powerful God does as He wishes with no restraint. Not even the Calvinism definition restrains Him or places Him in a box which forces God to create sin leaving the majority of man with out hope.
MB.

 

[thatbrian]

Not sure what you mean.

You said: "Part of that plan an purpose was to give mankind the ability and freedom to CHOOSE LIFE."

What do you mean by that?

 

[utilyan]

God gave mankind the ability to make a choice from options it has never heard of? How have you arrived at that conclusion?

I've never heard your question before, so apparently i don't have the ability to make a choice from options I never heard of.

Or..........

Maybe the human being is far more advanced then expected. Jesus Christ is 100% Human. We are all of same capacity.

Jesus wasn't a human with CHEAT CODES.


The Image of God will always be depreciated in power from your perspective. It will always be guaranteed weaker and lower.

God doesn't even have the capacity of teaching someone to tie their own shoes let alone make choices.


God doesn't want you to sin ever again, His command is not a joke. Sincerely does not want you to sin. Would rather see the entire world on fire then for you to sin.

So you are never going to sin again right? Or do you think you have the power to frustrate God's very sincere desire?

 

[SheepWhisperer]

This verse shows that mere Sovereignty is lacking in the description of God's power.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If God were sovereign, (per the Calvinist definition) we would have to wrestle God. Since everything has been predetermined.

Saying God is Sovereign as in the Calvinist definition is blaming God for the sin in the world making God responsible for sin if indeed everything is predetermined as Calvinism claims.

Sheepwhisperer has made an excellent point God is all powerful not Sovereign. All powerful means He is above Sovereignty. Being all powerful God does as He wishes with no restraint. Not even the Calvinism definition restrains Him or places Him in a box which forces God to create sin leaving the majority of man with out hope.
MB.

You said: "Part of that plan an purpose was to give mankind the ability and freedom to CHOOSE LIFE."

What do you mean by that?

God places the conviction before every man, via the Holy Ghost, as "sin, righteousness, and judgment".
The "sin and judgment" part will put you in Hell. The "righteousness" part is only in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is "Life".
. Man doesn't initiate this: it is God's design, God's making. But we have been given the freedom by Almighty God to accept His righteous demand and invitation or reject it. The principle is the same throughout the Bible
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" Deuteronomy 30:19

 

[MB]

I've never heard your question before, so apparently i don't have the ability to make a choice from options I never heard of.

Or..........

Maybe the human being is far more advanced then expected. Jesus Christ is 100% Human. We are all of same capacity.

Jesus wasn't a human with CHEAT CODES.


The Image of God will always be depreciated in power from your perspective. It will always be guaranteed weaker and lower.

God doesn't even have the capacity of teaching someone to tie their own shoes let alone make choices.


God doesn't want you to sin ever again, His command is not a joke. Sincerely does not want you to sin. Would rather see the entire world on fire then for you to sin.

So you are never going to sin again right? Or do you think you have the power to frustrate God's very sincere desire?

Something you may not know is that God's word describes Christians as they already are because of the righteousness of Christ. John wrote.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Not to mention who are you to Judge and attempt to place Guilt on God's people. Think it over carefully.
MB

 

[thatbrian]

God places the conviction before every man, via the Holy Ghost

1) What exactly does that mean? Please unpack this for me.
2) Are you saying the God saves apart from Christ?
3) Are you saying that God saves apart from His Holy Word?
4) Are you saying that God saves apart from The gospel?

 

[MB]

[

I know you want some simple and brief, but that's difficult to do when you're discussing God's sovereignty. The next best thing I can do is point you to chapter 3 of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith which covers God's decree:

Chapter 3, 1689 LBC

This is because it isn't found in scripture. Therefore it's created by man. You see the word Sovereignty isn't found in scripture. The Bible describes God as all powerful. The word sovereignty in Calvinism is redefined to mean what it clearly does not mean. They define Sovereign as control of everything good and evil combined. This makes God into a two faced God who makes men sin and then punishing man for it.
MB

 

[TCassidy]

You see the word Sovereignty isn't found in scripture.

Neither is the word "bible" found in the bible.

The Bible describes God as all powerful.

Yes, that is what Sovereign means.

The word sovereignty in Calvinism is redefined to mean what it clearly does not mean.

Oh, really? And what is that?

They define Sovereign as control of everything good and evil combined.

What do you mean by "in control?" Do you mean He allows some things that He does not approve of but allows it to teach us, or do you mean there are some things He just can't control?

This makes God into a two faced God who makes men sin and then punishing man for it.
MB

God does not make man sin. But God does allow you to CHOOSE to sin.

 

[HankD]

It makes no difference as to the "why" of our God who allows evil.

He does, so live with it.

Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

HankD

 

[utilyan]

Can anything or anyone prevent God from doing as He wishes? That's a simple question, so please provide a simple answer, with a brief explanation.

Sure. God can only run a Calvinist System. He doesn't have the intelligence or Capacity to do it any other way.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It makes no difference as to the "why" of our God who allows evil.

He does, so live with it.

Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

HankD

There is always time to repent. As the Catholics taught me, say a good act of contrition.

 

[HankD]

There is always time to repent. As the Catholics taught me, say a good act of contrition.

Yes, father.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Yes, father.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the HG... say a rosary & grovel on the floor like a little prepubescent boy and don’t tell your parents.

 

[HankD]

In the name of the Father, the Son and the HG... say a rosary & grovel on the floor like a little prepubescent boy and don’t tell your parents.

HEY!

Actually our parish priest in East Boston was normal, he was a womanizer.

HankD

 

[tyndale1946]

HEY!

Actually our parish priest in East Boston was normal, he was a womanizer.

HankD

You former Catholic and Catholic brethren don't beat yourself up so much all denomination have them and worse... He who is without sin, cast the first stone... Brother Glen

 

[HankD]

You former Catholic and Catholic brethren don't beat yourself up so much all denomination have them and worse... He who is without sin, cast the first stone... Brother Glen

right I understand the meaning of "ricochet!".

HankD

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You former Catholic and Catholic brethren don't beat yourself up so much all denomination have them and worse... He who is without sin, cast the first stone... Brother Glen

Depends who was on the receiving end Glen.

Beatings with sticks,belts, hands. Heads shoved into blackboards and other humiliations I won’t talk about . Add these to lesbian nuns and priests who are predators or religious fanatics and maybe you’d understand that I would cast a stone in order to .... I’m just saying... it was horrible! You lived each day in fear.