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Misunderstood Texts

Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by thatbrian, Nov 22, 2017.

  1. thatbrian

    thatbrian Well-Known Member
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    Would my Reformed friends help me compile a list of texts that Arminians commonly misunderstand or misquote,

    I'll start with this one with a verse from Revelation 3:

    "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."​

    As is usually the case, failure to read a verse in its context quickly leads to misunderstanding the intended meaning of the author, so I'll post the context, and it should be evident that this go-to verse for the free-willers does not mean what they think it does.

    14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:​

    These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

    19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

    21To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
    First, and most important to understanding this text, it was addressed to a church. It was not written to just anyone, but the "church in Laodicea". Next, we see that this church was being called out for being, lukewarm". Third, they are being chastised for trusting in their great wealth, rather than Christ. Finally, they are being called to repentance. Look at what was said just before the oft-butchered verse 20: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."

    These people are already sons and daughters, not unbelievers. They had drifted away and were being called to repent, with the promise that they would be rewarded with the intimate fellowship of Christ.
     
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