Predestination and Determinism

This is not complicated to understand. You posted comments made by someone else as your own. Thusly, you are pretending to be them.

Not complicated at all. If "Plagiarism" doesn't bother you, then what else doesn't "bother you"?



Now you're deliberately misrepresenting what I said. I never said nor even implied that that was a "shock to me".

Why be so dishonest?

I said I would ban him because of my experience. Nothing "shocking" at all. I am glad you admit he is nothing but a troll.



No we are not. I'm not going to pretend that what you believe isn't offensive to the teachings of Christianity. It is. It dishonors Christ and exalts YOU.

Paul told Timothy to "rebuke before all". This is a public doctrine you're teaching. A doctrine that tells others that YOU are chosen while those just like you are damned.

Sorry if you think that is uplifting. It isn't. Not even close. So abide by your own standard for others.

If you want to have an "uplifting" dialogue, then start by posting your own comments and stop stealing them from others without rightfully attributing them to those who wrote them.

People do this because they are pretending to be something they are not. They let others speak for them and pretend they are the one speaking.
That's all well and good but I'll continue on doing it how I feel like doing it. If it bothers you that much put me on Ignore. What can I say some people are just whiners.
 
Joy joy joy overflowing.

Jonathan Edwards knows heaven perhaps even better than hell. Which is saying a lot in view of his reputation as one who knows hell well. I have believed this for some time because of reading his sermons on heaven (for example, "The Portion of the Righteous," "The Pure in Heart Blessed," "Praise, One of the Chief Employments of Heaven"). In addition, reading Edwards' Miscellanies on heaven and reading John Gerstner's book, "Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell" (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980) show how Edwards soared in his meditations on heaven.

But only when I took up Edwards' book, The End for Which God Created the World, did I see the remarkable insight that heaven will be a never-ending, ever-increasing discovery of more and more of God's glory with greater and ever-greater joy in him.

As a child I feared heaven. Never-endingness seemed to me like frozenness. Doesn't 1 Corinthians 13:12 say, "Then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known"? And wouldn't that mean that the moment we get to heaven we will know all we are going to know, and that the rest of eternity will be never-ending sameness? Which strikes the fear of boredom into our hearts.

Edward says no. All this text must mean is that our knowledge will be accurate in heaven and no longer "through a glass darkly." It does not have to mean that we know immediately all that can be known. Rather, he reasons, God is infinite and wills to reveal himself to us for our enjoyment of his fullness forever. Yet we are finite and cannot at any time, or in any finite duration of time, comprehend the limitless, infinite fullness of God's glory. Yet God wills to lavish this fullness on us for our joy (Ephesians 2:7).

Therefore the implication is that our union with God, in the all-satisfying experience of his glory, can never be complete, but must be increasing with intimacy and intensity forever and ever. The perfection of heaven is not static. Nor do we see at once all there is to see—for the finite cannot take in all of the infinite. Our destiny is not to become God. Therefore, there will always be more for a finite creature to know and enjoy of God. The end of increasing pleasure in God will never come.

Here is the way Edwards puts it:

I suppose it will not be denied by any, that God, in glorifying the saints in heaven with eternal felicity, aims to satisfy his infinite grace or benevolence, by the bestowment of a good [which is] infinitely valuable, because eternal: and yet there never will come the moment, when it can be said, that now this infinitely valuable good has been actually bestowed (The End for Which God Created the World, ¶ 285, in God's Passion for His Glory, [Wheaton: Crossway, 1998]).
Moreover, he says, our eternal rising into more and more of God will be a

rising higher and higher through that infinite duration, and . . . not with constantly diminishing (but perhaps an increasing) [velocity] . . . [to an] infinite height; though there never will be any particular time when it can be said already to have come to such a height.
It will take an infinite number of ages for God to be done glorifying the wealth of his grace to us - which is to say he will never be done. And our joy will increase forever and ever. Boredom is absolutely excluded in the presence of an infinitely glorious God.

Reeling and rejoicing,

Pastor John
 
Nope. How can you tell?
I don't know? How could you tell? put some :)s on your posts or something I don't know. Be charitable perhaps?

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Laughter is a gift from God. Laughter is a great way to stay encouraged.

Rejoice in the Lord always! and again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4
 
Predestination is part of God’s decree, his eternal purpose in which he has decided all that will take place, ordaining everything for the manifestation of his glory. I understand the reason why people find it difficult to accept the idea that God predestines some to heaven and others to hell. I think it is human nature to want to have some part in our salvation, to help God out in some way. But salvation is of the Lord for the Elect.

The verse that states "The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble" can be found in Psalm 37:39 This verse emphasizes that salvation is determined, purchased, applied, and secured by God alone. It is a declaration of trust in God's deliverance from sin. (the elect) see link

"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" Romans 9:21

I find it so awesome that we are all in the hand of God as the clay is in the potter's hand, Although it is humbling to the pride of man, yet nothing can be more self-evidently true.

God has the same right over us that a potter has over the clay of which he forms his vessels for his own purposes and interest. One vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor. Romans 9:21

God chose some people from eternity past (the elect), to be saved unconditionally, and only those elect will genuinely respond to the gospel and be saved (Matthew 22:14; John 6:37, 44, 65; 8:47; 10:26–29; Romans 8:29–30; 9:6–23; 11:5–10; 1 Corinthians 1:26–30; Ephesians 1:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; James 2:5).
 
I don't know? How could you tell? put some :)s on your posts or something I don't know. Be charitable perhaps?

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Laughter is a gift from God. Laughter is a great way to stay encouraged.

Rejoice in the Lord always! and again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4

How many times do you think this guy has called me "stupid" or similar? I don't report people because I don't ultimately care what they say and I'd rather get an honest answer than to be called "friend" a million times over when it means nothing to the one saying it.....

I understand your position. Thank you for the encouragement.
 
Last edited:
That's all well and good but I'll continue on doing it how I feel like doing it. If it bothers you that much put me on Ignore. What can I say some people are just whiners.

How nice of you. I wish I had a dollar for every conversation I've had on this subject to only have the "nice guy" complain about "methods" and then do the same......

Do as you please but don't pretend you're morally superior to anyone else. I rightfully witnessed your mistakes.

May I ask if you're capable of crafting your own responses? Have a dialogue with me and abandon this "copy and paste" tactic. It is rare that I get to have a conversation with someone that actually knows theology. Most people just "Google", copy....... paste.......

There are more of them around here than usual but very few Calvinists that actually have the ability to do their own work.
 
How nice of you. I wish I had a dollar for every conversation I've had on this subject to only have the "nice guy" complain about "methods" and then do the same......

Do as you please but don't pretend you're morally superior to anyone else. I rightfully witnessed your mistakes.

May I ask if you're capable of crafting your own responses? Have a dialogue with me and abandon this "copy and paste" tactic. It is rare that I get to have a conversation with someone that actually knows theology. Most people just "Google", copy....... paste.......

There are more of them around here than usual but very few Calvinists that actually have the ability to do their own work.
You know the old expression... "takes two to tango" And that's obviously what's going on here. None of us are perfect we all make mistakes.
 
Predestination is part of God’s decree, his eternal purpose in which he has decided all that will take place, ordaining everything for the manifestation of his glory. I understand the reason why people find it difficult to accept the idea that God predestines some to heaven and others to hell. I think it is human nature to want to have some part in our salvation, to help God out in some way. But salvation is of the Lord for the Elect.

1. Does God find pleasures in preordaining when you chose to use the bathroom? Some "hold it" more than others.

The idea that God has predetermines everything presents a "god" that takes pleasure in controlling everything. Mankind certainly takes pleasure in trying such. You can't possibly make an argument that God is just like sinful men. You're projecting your own image upon God.

"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?" Romans 9:21

I find it so awesome that we are all in the hand of God as the clay is in the potter's hand, Although it is humbling to the pride of man, yet nothing can be more self-evidently true.

God has the same right over us that a potter has over the clay of which he forms his vessels for his own purposes and interest. One vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor. Romans 9:21

God chose some people from eternity past (the elect), to be saved unconditionally, and only those elect will genuinely respond to the gospel and be saved (Matthew 22:14; John 6:37, 44, 65; 8:47; 10:26–29; Romans 8:29–30; 9:6–23; 11:5–10; 1 Corinthians 1:26–30; Ephesians 1:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; James 2:5).

Is the clay different? That is what you must deal with. Your position actually presents the scenario that some "dirt" is different. Some "dirt" is chosen.

Would you like to deal with the "same lump" portion of your comments while rightfully acknowledging all men are the same?
 
Last edited:
1. Does God find pleasures in preordaining when you chose to use the bathroom? Some "hold it" more than others.

The idea that God has predetermines everything presents a "god" that takes pleasures in controlling everything. Mankind certainly takes pleasure in trying such. You can't possibly make an argument that God is just like sinful men. You're projecting your own image upon God.



Is the clay different? That is what you must deal with. Your position actually presents the scenario that some "dirt" is different. Some "dirt" is chosen.

Would you like to deal with the "same lump" portion of your comments while rightfully acknowledging all men are the same?
It's in the bible deal with it. Or forever "hold it". Are we having dialogue yet? You know it's fine with me if you're not real fond of Calvinism. And you can say whatever you like about Calvinism. But don't take cheap shots and expect anyone to take you seriously. It's not personal.

Here's what the rules say. https://berean-apologetics.community.forum/threads/the-rules.47/

Our members desire to contribute in a positive and loving manner so that this Forum will display the gracious love of God. The above motto on our forum is for the benefit of this community to have a safe place where all faiths and people are welcomed to ask questions, receive answers and express their views freely without hinderance or concern of retaliation. We value your religious freedoms of expression and ideas.
 
The idea that God has predetermines everything presents a "god" that takes pleasure in controlling everything. Mankind certainly takes pleasure in trying such.
And when the twisters of the word of God and his character do this they break the bruised reed and quench the smoking flax of people's hope of wanting to see a God of LOVE who will give his creation a fair chance of arriving at peace. They leave people stripped of hope and leave them in despair.



 
How many times do you think this guy has called me "stupid" or similar? I don't report people because I don't ultimately care what they say and I'd rather get an honest answer than to be called "friend" a million times over when it means nothing to the one saying it.....

I understand your position. Thank you for the encouragement.
I'm going to try my best to be courteous and respectful to everybody here. It's kind of like human nature or walking in our flesh that when someone gives us a hard time we want to retaliate. I bet you I can look up some bible verses right now it talks about that exact subject. Well that didn't take long. I'm a good googler.

Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
 
And with the twisters of the word of God and his character do this they break the bruised reed and quench the smoking flax of people's hope of wanting to see a God of LOVE who will give his creation a fair chance of arriving at peace. They leave people stripped of hope and leave them in despair.

Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
 
I'll accept this to some degree. However, is conflict bad? Iron sharpening iron isn't pleasant. Stubbornness is not always bad. Resisting one another is essential to growth.
Sorry I couldn't help but jump in on this one as I've been talking with a friend of mine about iron sharpening iron. And that's a positive thing reinforcing scripture.

There's another way of doing it it's called sword fighting and I think that's what seemed more of here that iron sharpening iron. Just my two cents.

And no conflict is not bad if you keep your cool. It'll be interesting to see when they get the zoom meeting debates going. Of course people when you can see them face to face talk and react a lot differently.
 
And when the twisters of the word of God and his character do this they break the bruised reed and quench the smoking flax of people's hope of wanting to see a God of LOVE who will give his creation a fair chance of arriving at peace. They leave people stripped of hope and leave them in despair.
Good thing we have no Twisters here. We only do the tango.🤣
 
I'm going to try my best to be courteous and respectful to everybody here. It's kind of like human nature or walking in our flesh that when someone gives us a hard time we want to retaliate. I bet you I can look up some bible verses right now it talks about that exact subject. Well that didn't take long. I'm a good googler.

Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Is it okay if I argue the point with you for a minute? :)

I can think of a half dozen events recorded in the Scriptures that are contrary to the words from this particular English translation....

Generally speaking, your approach is correct. However, there are times when it is not. Allowing a "weaker brother" to control the Truth isn't acceptable. I don't mind (and I have/do) deal differently with someone that is trying to learn. However, tolerating the nonsense of someone who claims maturity and understanding isn't acceptable. Those people should be not only resisted but rebuked when necessary. They shouldn't be allowed to dominate a narrative contrary to the Truth of God.

As far as "evil for evil", I don't see that I have done such. Please point it out specifically and I will reconsider.
 
Last edited:
Sorry I couldn't help but jump in on this one as I've been talking with a friend of mine about iron sharpening iron. And that's a positive thing reinforcing scripture.

Has your friend ever sharpened iron? It is violent act that would rip flesh from bone. Forming a edge to a blade requires removing iron.

There's another way of doing it it's called sword fighting and I think that's what seemed more of here that iron sharpening iron. Just my two cents.

The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of "strongholds".

And no conflict is not bad if you keep your cool. It'll be interesting to see when they get the zoom meeting debates going. Of course people when you can see them face to face talk and react a lot differently.

I look forward to the zoom calls but I remain anonymous because I have been openly attacked too many times in my life. Most of it because of theology. Not that I'm afraid. I'm not. I avoid it. I can assure that I'm no different..... In fact,

2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

I "wear" who I am at the very tip of my lips.
 
Back
Top Bottom