Job 4. 17-21

Well, NO! I do not see that as proof positive. These words of Eliphaz the Temanite are an expression of human opinion!

 

Though I believe that all scripture is given by inspiration and is good for edification, I do not believe that all scripture is directive in nature. In fact there is but a small percentage of the bible that should be considered directive in nature. The rest of the bible is, by its very nature, informative... the "knowledge" part that "my people" are lacking. The informative part is there to inform us in the way that we as believers, are to live our lives, and for the most part, what it means to be Christian. And there is another informative part that gives a glimpse into the future that for the unbeliever is an image of terror, but for the believer is bay-window on eternity.

I want you to know that I have deep respect for you even though my writing style and choice of words and thoughts don't often reflect that respect. I believe that if we were to come face to face for a while that we would become good friends for eternity because we both are tenacious in our beliefs, and we both are easy going, not quick to anger.

I pray and prepare for reading the scripture by asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate the meaning of the thoughts that are being conveyed by the words on the page. Digging into individual words is useful where the meaning of the thought is less than clear, or where the thought can have more than one meaning.

When did you say you were going to the Northwest?

 

You were wrong 'before you got out of the gate' in the first phrase quoted in vs. 17 by Eliphaz as noted in Job 4:17-21. At least he believed that God is just, the God of justice, Who will not arbitrarily damn the majority of His created beings called humankind. The justice of God insures the fact that He will not topple people into Hell, at will. 'Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.' [I Tim. 2:6] Also, I Peter 1:17 indicates that God is not 'a respecter of persons' and that He is fair in all of His ways. A good read about the attribute of God's justice would hopefully give some a balanced view of Almighty God.

An unfettered will in human beings comes with no 'extra charge.' The bondage of the will is not even in the Lord's inventory.

 

Let's see. Dallas. Baptist. Coming to the
Northwest to pastor. Hm-m-m-m. Well, I live in
the Northwest in a little place where there are so
many Baptist churches that it is incredible, but I
have yet to find one that is very active. Here, it is
Sunday morning and that is it.

I would love to see someone come to this area and
lights some fires under some of the people to find
out if they are dead or just cold. 8oD It has been
an amazing experience here!

After searching for a Baptist church to attend
sometimes while my husband went to his church, I
finally went to the one down the street. What an
experience. I walked in, sat in the back, and waited
for church to begin. The pastor sent a lady to sit
by me, and it was obvious that she did not want to.,
because she had been with her friend. I told her
that it was fine, but she said, "This is the way we do
things here." 8o/

She sat down, then insisted that I go sit in the front
with her. I declined. She insisted. I did. They took
the offering by everyone marching up and putting
their money in a basket in front of everybody. I
didn't want to. Only at my persistence would she
take my money up for me. 8o\

They wanted to make a big issue of my being there.
They asked me to fill in a bunch of information so
that I could be brought up to the front and
welcomed. I said no, that I just wanted to be quiet.
They said they would do it anyway. I asked why.
They said, "Because that is the way we do things
here." I found a way to slip out and go home just
before they said they would do this.

She asked for my phone number. She would be
calling me. She didn't.

That was the last time I tried to attend a church.

So come here, Dallas, and wake this place up.
The Baptist churches here are either dead or its
their way or no way, period. 8oD

 

Sympathy to your wife and your family on this loss. I am sure that the funeral, sad though it may be, will be filled with warm thoughts in the ways that she affected her family's life.

 

Brother Dallas,

Tell your wife that I am sorry for her loss. When my mother died a couple of years ago my first thought was, "I'll never be able to talk to her again." Both your wife's great grandmother was saved as was my mother. They are now praising our Redeemer. Sudden death! Sudden glory! And someday we will be able to communicate with them in Heaven.

 

My sincere condolence to you and your wife in the passing of her Great Grandmother from the pain and agony of old age in this physical life, to the eternal youth of life with Jesus.

I rejoice with you in her passing.

 

Brother Dallas... My prayers go with you, your wife and family at the passing of her great grandmother... The Lord surely blessed her past three score and ten... Isn't it a joyous but sad occasion when one of the Mothers of Zion are called to her long sought home ... Brother Glen