I am currently the interim pastor of a church (over 6 month snow)

The music director wants the title of my message and the message text by Monday morning for the following
week. ( for Sun, July 14, the info was to be in by Monday, Jul 8)

Well, I work a bi-vo on Mon and Tues 1 pm to 10 pm - but the last couple of weeks I have been working overtime, and that has been wearing very much on my physical being. Could I do this on Sunday afternoon - maybe - but I just use Sun as time to wind...

We in the middle watch with dismay as justification for the extremes of one side is claimed to be based on the extremes of the other (in the ongoing Calvinism debate). Why ignore the middle position? There are more than two choices here... The issue of the inability of sinners is one in desperate need of common sense and Biblical clarity, which will provide some common ground for both sides—that is, for those who are willing to open their eyes and consider what the middle has to offer.

The...

God is infinite good.

Lies needs truth to exist.
Evil needs good to exist.
Chaos needs order to exist.

God created finite good things.

Finite good things which are not infinite, can be hurt, was the creation of evil.

Isaiah 45:7.

I live just 35 miles from the snake-handling capital of the world, Jolo, West Virginia. Their church there is called "Church of the Lord Jesus".

Don't let that name fool ya! It's a CULT!

They base their belief on this Bible verse: And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they...

I am more selective these days on which threads to participate in. One topic I am interested in discussing was mentioned in a few recent threads. The gist of the comments were that [some] people are Calvinists/Arminians first and Christians second. The thought behind these statements was that some individuals self-identity by their doctrinal distinctives instead of their standing in Christ. Let me make some quick points about this charge:

The C&A debate forum exists for the very purpose of...

Given the recent disputes over definitions perhaps this thread can help us come to a common ground.

I’ll use myself as an example. I’ve affirmed the following:

1. Total depravity
2. Unconditional Atonement
3. Limited (or particular, which I prefer) Atonement
4. Irresistible Grace (God accomplishes His plan)
5. Perseverance of the Saints (or the eternal security of the truly saved)
6. That the lost (the “vessels of wrath” are predestined for such
7. That...

"...No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those the Son wills to reveal Him."

Jesus begins by saying all things have been given to Him by the Father. He then goes on to speak of knowing the Son and knowing the Father, which equates to salvation, imho.

From this verse, is it clear that no one can come into a saving relationship with God unless Jesus wills it?

In 1 cor 2:14 The Holy Spirit explains clearly that the natural man cannot welcome or receive the things of the SPIRIT of God.
The reason the Holy Spirit had the Apostle Paul write that is natural men do not have the Holy Spirit so there is no way they can rightly understand the things of the SPIRIT of God.
The reason we're given the SPIRIT of God is that we can welcome or receive the truth of God's word.
In Romans 8:7 we are told why this is so.
The carnal mind...is enmity against God
It...

How can you know if a person is a Christian or not?

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2 KJV

My Father’s house has many rooms; NIV

In my Father's house are many rooms. ESV

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; NASB

In my Father’s house are many homes. WEB
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There are many variations on the translation of the word in John 14:2 that I've memorized via the KJV to be "mansions".

Greek scholars, what do you think is the proper translation...