Limited "Alls"

The story is in Scripture. Those who read Scripture will read it. Scripture is read in different languages all over the world. I don't have a problem with Jesus using 'all' there. The Gospel being preached is, hopefully not a hit and run thing where a person 'shares' the Gospel and then disappears from that person's life into parts unknown. That sounds more like empty words to me, not at all in line with loving one's neighbor or speaking in love. Love means caring. If you care about a person, especially one you are sharing the Gospel with, you stick around, and you read it together, and you discuss it and yes, that story will be part of it.

 

I guess I shouldn't be, but I have to say again that I am saddened by the amount of mockery used by Calvinists in regard to those who disagree with them. I guess when you think you are chosen no matter what, you can afford to mock others. But it sure is a rotten witness to people reading the posts.

 

Look at the quote:

So what you're telling us is that everywhere the Gospel has been preached in the whole world, what this woman did was also told as a memorial to her. There have never been ANY exceptions. Not a single person on earth has ever preached the Gospel anywhere without also eventually telling the story about this woman. Ever. In the whole history of mankind since Jesus, this has been the case without exception.

 

It is not so much that it bothers me personally, Calvi, but I get PM's and emails from those it does bother a lot, who are just reading and not responding. And it is my deep desire that whatever we do, we show the character of our Lord so that people are attracted to Him. I know that from your Calvinist perspective that you are quite sure that all those He has already chosen will come to Him, but please understand that I really do think that what we say and do makes a difference in people's lives and we need to be careful, therefore with what we say and do.

I appreciate your attitude towards that, and thank you.

You asked about ONE exception. LOL, I assume that anyone who reads the Bible will read the story. But I can't play games with you about the 'all'. Jesus said all and I am quite sure that if He had meant 'most', He would have said so.

Edit: Jesus said "everywhere" -- is there somewhere where the Gospel has been preached where this story has been left out of the Bibles and translations? Maybe not 'everyONE' has heard the story, but it is certainly known everyWHERE the Gospel is preached. I am not aware of any missionaries who leave out stories, are you?

 

All here is "wherever" it is preached in the whole world. No preach, no hear. But "wherever" this gospel, that gospel contained in Matthew is preached, this story will eventually be told.

Will all hear it? Some may die, quit listening, or whatever, but it will be told. Jesus doesn’t tell us everything said and done by Him or others will be remembered, or recorded (written in Holy scripture), but if any scripture that has the gospel as outlined in Matthew does not include this information, we are not to believe that record.

The Gospel of Matthew can be believed, for this information is contained in the translation/s that are accepted by the Christian today.

Christian faith, ituttut

 

Way off topic, but I didn't see any mockery on this thread. Do you mind highlighting what it is that you are referring to? It may be that you think someone is mocking you but they may have no idea that you think so, or why you think so.

And when you say "amount of mockery used by Calvinists" do you mean all Calvinists?

 

Personally, I think this thread isn't addressing the key scripture with respect to the question of "when does all mean all." You know what it is:


Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

That's not an all, that's a whosoever. For the gazillionth time, "Whosoever is 6 feet tall or taller" works, too. And it doesn't leave it open to everyone.

The point is the qualification, "Whosoever believes". The question is, who believes and why? That is not answered in this verse. So you cannot quote John 3:16 as a prooftext for "all".

"World" does not mean all, either. It can mean all manner of things, including "Not just the Jews, but Gentiles, too".

 

D. James Kennedy does a marvelous routine of using the words all and always and whole world in a DVD called "Amazing Grace, The History of Calvinism".

It's really good, a stand-up comedy routine. BTW that DVD is one of the best intro's to calvinism around. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I think you can get it at monergismbooks.com.

 

CB,

You may be right, you probably are, but she said "amount of mockery used by Calvinists", and she's used that card often before, so I wondered whether she really meant what she said or if she meant something else.