I believe in the first four points of Arminian theology, but believe in eternal security.
I think you have asked a very great question.
It's a little like the question that my middle child, Todd--now age 30 asked me when I taught them in their Confirmation class.
In fact he asked me several questions that I did not have the answer to . . .
I think that God autocratically called out a people called the Israelites as noted in Genesis 17:1-2.
I believe He wanted a covenant people who would love Almighty God, Jehovah.
On the other hand, if they did not respond to Him and become a nation of His people, He in His omniscience would have eternally known this fact.
But since they responded to His call a nation of His people were to become a reality.
Perhaps you could explain why being a personal God prohibits him from electing people.
Also, please tell us what you think the passages of Scripture that tell us that God elects people really mean, if they don't mean that he elects people.
my post is merely asking a question and not
suggesting anything yet. but i am pretty sure that most of arminian doctrine does lean toward election being the result of forseen faith. i am curious as to how this is derived. how do they explain using the word foreknow to mean that it is God looking into the future to base His decision on electing them.
God did not Elect the jews, He chose them by decree and refers to them as his own or his elect!
It is a term of endearment.
He has blessed them as a race of people often well beyond what he has done for any
other race.
There is no reason to think that any other race could measure up to "His elect", so from out of all nations He is adding to His elect through the process of belief unto complete faith in God.
Those who have such faith are among God's elect, those who do not have such faith are not.
ok yelsew but can you answer this with a yes or no did God Choose the jews as the elect because of their foreseen faith? </font>[/QUOTE]NO! I don't believe He did, but then I have never heard of an athiest jew!
ok yelsew but can you answer this with a yes or no did God Choose the jews as the elect because of their foreseen faith? </font>[/QUOTE]NO! I don't believe He did, but then I have never heard of an athiest jew! </font>[/QUOTE]thats interesting. thank you for your direct answer that is rare for arminians. can we proceed with another yes or no answer?
do you believe that God chose gentile Christians as the elect because of foreseen faith?
ok yelsew but can you answer this with a yes or no did God Choose the jews as the elect because of their foreseen faith? </font>[/QUOTE]NO! I don't believe He did, but then I have never heard of an athiest jew! </font>[/QUOTE]thats interesting. thank you for your direct answer that is rare for arminians. can we proceed with another yes or no answer?
do you believe that God chose gentile Christians as the elect because of foreseen faith? </font>[/QUOTE]NO!
Most times when it says God chose or God has chosen it is translating the verb form of the word "elect".
So, for instance, Ephesians 1:4 could be rightly translated " as He elected us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and unblemished before him."
To elect and to chose mean exactly the same thing--at least biblically.
You can get out your concordance and look this up.....
Nope. Look it up in the Greek. Or if you can't read greek, look it up in a concordance or a bible dictionary like vines or something.
Or go to to Blueletterbible.
Nope. Look it up in the Greek. Or if you can't read greek, look it up in a concordance or a bible dictionary like vines or something.
Or go to to Blueletterbible. </font>[/QUOTE]i use the blue letter bible also
does 55 mean your age, or year born ?