Featured Why bother?

I agree with this. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

Can we change that to a pork roast.....I dont like lamb!

Seriously though, our faith has nothing to do with our eternal destiny but everything to do with the benefits to be had from obedience to the gospel here, now, in this realm.

God Himself has settled all eternal aspects of our salvation. It's up to us to believe that, rest in it, trust Him, adhere to Him, rely on Him, love Him, love our neighbor, and enjoy the table He has set before us. Thats what I believe anyway.

 

Pertaining to point 3. You do not see that in Ephesians 1-2?

Again for my edification...what is Provisional atonement?

 

So you accept some measure of mystery here...that Jesus tells us to pray for God to do something that God already knows is needed in order to bring the Gospel message to some for salvation?

 

It might seem dry to a carnal mind. Might smell like sun-baked roadkill, too. But I would cite the account of Paul on Mars Hill. Did he somehow neglect the persuasion, pleading and making of an appeal?

No, it just doesn't look like what you think it does.

Again, I would cite the account of Paul on Mars Hill.

 

Pitchback

Your post is total fiction, representing the behavior of many Calvinists who simply run away from their doctrine.

 

Your post is total fiction. I believe Jesus died for all mankind, Calvinism believes Jesus died for the elect. I believe unregenerate people can seek God and trust in Christ such that God credits their faith in Christ as righteousness and places them in Christ. Calvinism believes unregenerates never at any time seek God, and only after a person is "quickened" do they seek God and trust in Christ. I believe in conditional election, God chooses people for salvation through faith in the truth, Calvinism teaches God chose people for salvation without regard to any aspect of their character. I believe the call of the gospel is resistible, thus we are invited rather than compelled (dragged irresistibly) to be reconciled to God.

 

This is what I said: We should pray for God to use us to reach the lost, hastening the day of our Lord's return.


Your complete and total misrepresentations of my view is amazing to behold. Ever hear anyone say at the end of a prayer, "we pray this in the name of Jesus?" Please explain how your rewritten prayer is in the name of Jesus. Just saying...

 

Could not have said it better. We are commanded to go. The next step is for the Lord. It is time we let the Lord be the Lord, and stop with the endless Calvin threads. Very good answer.

 

Where is the pleading? Where is the persuasion? There were some that believed and followed, but you don't see Paul jumping through hoops to plead and beg.

He made his case, some believed, others didn't and that was that. Exactly as you said logic would dictate the decorum of the Calvinist message. The only thing amiss is your judgment of it as dry and boring.

 

So would you equate God asking us to ask him to a parent telling their child to ask politely for something?

My point in bringing up the harvest illustration is this: God knows what we need, what the lost world needs, but asks that we pray for it, and actually tells us in James that there are things we don't have because we don't ask for them...The harvest illustration seems to further imply that there are those lost who would not be lost if we would just pray that God would send laborors. Now, as a (mostly) calvinist, I would say that it is not necessary for God to wait for me to pray before he sends out a missonary...but also that our prayers are effective...just like our witness. How does that work? I don't know.

 

According to Calvinism the unregenerate will not be open to the gospel. How come you do not cite the "command" to shake the dust off? Just saying smorgasbord theology is fun, anyone can play!

 

You're right, that's exactly what we should pray for.

Not really sure what you are talking about here, I was just asking a question for clarification. I was actually saying that is generally my view, and asking if you agreed. Not everyone who asks you questions is intentionally misrepresenting you.

Simple, here's an example: "God, There are lost people in New England, I pray that you would send missionaries and church-planters into that dark place with the Gospel. You know better than me who they are, and where these missionaries are most needed, so please do it. Show me how I may support them... In Jesus' Name, Amen."

 

Simple, here's an example: "God, There are lost people in New England, I pray that you would send missionaries and church-planters into that dark place with the Gospel. You know better than me who they are, and where these missionaries are most needed, so please do it. Show me how I may support them... In Jesus' Name, Amen."

If you think that prayer is in the name of Jesus I have a covered bridge in New England to sell you. Ever hear Jesus teaching on testing God, doing things that depend on God for a good result? Just saying

Jesus tells us to pray for God to do something that God already knows is needed in order to bring the Gospel message to some for salvation? When you rewrote the rewrite you added a valid prayer, show me how I may support [other workers in the harvest.]

 

Sorry, I don't really know what you're trying to say here.