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       #Post#: 254--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: guest8
       Date: August 10, 2018, 11:14 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: joechan82 link ---
       >
       > I was introduced to Jesus by a fellow Marine. He took about a
       half an hour and showed me that I was a sinner, why I was a
       sinner, and what happens to sinners. I knew that all of it was
       true. Then he showed me that Jesus paid for our sins. Three
       weeks later, after going to church a few times, listening to my
       friend witness to me, and laying in bed at night scared to
       death, I asked the Lord to save me. And He did. Just like that!
       > I only went to the Episcopal church on Easter with my mom and
       sister prior to that, so I had no theology. The guy who lead me
       to Christ was a Baptist so that is where I went. I was baptized
       the next Sunday and that made it official. :) That was over 40
       years ago. After a lot of church history and doctrine study I am
       still a Baptist, but now I know why. Funny old thing.
       > BTW C. H. Spurgeon is my favorite preacher to read. He was a
       Calvinist, but he is not a typical Calvinist. That man knew his
       God.
       > I have a pretty good idea what a MAD Dispensationalist is, but
       I cannot understand what Open Theists are. I tried to read their
       statement on TF. I tried. Somebody help this old man.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is pretty
       clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say about
       their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect their
       salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this point.
       My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons past
       saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set my
       heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at that
       time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward to
       when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone, etc.
       He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face to
       heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my savior.
       He also knows those that will not accept him, that have rejected
       Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during their
       lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist forums,
       etc. that simply do not believe in anything except mankind.
       Hope this helps.
       Blade
       #Post#: 269--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: guest5
       Date: August 11, 2018, 11:40 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Bladerunner link ---
       >
       > are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       >
       > The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is
       pretty clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say
       about their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect
       their salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this
       point.
       >
       > My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons
       past  saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set
       my heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at
       that time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward
       to when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone,
       etc. He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face
       to heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my
       savior.
       >
       > He also knows those that will not accept him, that have
       rejected Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during
       their lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist
       forums, etc. that simply do not believe in anything except
       mankind.
       >
       > Hope this helps.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think the main point of open theism is to say that not all
       outcomes are always predetermined, and that we are followers of
       Jesus because we want to be, not because He knows that we would.
       I guess i’m Not a traditional representation of an open theist
       either, because I can see some of the arguments for Calvinism in
       a way that I understand and agree with as well.
       I think I don’t fully fall into either of the two categories in
       a traditional sense. To a traditional open theist, Calvinists
       seem like they are saying that God is just up there playing army
       men all day. To a traditional Calvinist, an open theist sounds
       like they are saying that God has no control over anything.
       Like many arguments in theology that I’ve run across, most of
       the points of contention are actually the extremist view on
       either side and/or a misunderstanding of terminology. If you pay
       close enough attention, both sides agree with each other more
       than you would think they do, (except the extremists)
       #Post#: 276--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: joechan82
       Date: August 11, 2018, 12:40 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Yes Blade,
       I have been called an Arminian more than once. I found an old
       confession of faith once that was Arminian. I think it was
       actually a document put out by the Dutch government a few
       centuries ago. I read it and discovered that I do indeed believe
       a lot of it. My departure from all that is that I am convinced
       of the eternal security of the believer. In a nutshell, since
       God saved us, then we cannot un-save us. We talk a lot about
       rightly dividing, but some dividing is just dividing. I'm with
       Jon on this. If the Bible says we have to call upon Him, then do
       that. If the Bible describes the sovereignty and foreknowledge
       of God then I believe that too. It's not God's fault I can't
       figure it all out. :) I can post scripture to support everything
       I believe. I want to know how to defend my positions, or change
       them if I am wrong. All the best to y'all.
       #Post#: 296--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: guest8
       Date: August 11, 2018, 11:03 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Jon Wood link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Bladerunner link=topic=22.msg254#msg254
       date=1533960854]
       > are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       >
       > The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is
       pretty clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say
       about their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect
       their salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this
       point.
       >
       > My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons
       past  saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set
       my heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at
       that time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward
       to when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone,
       etc. He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face
       to heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my
       savior.
       >
       > He also knows those that will not accept him, that have
       rejected Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during
       their lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist
       forums, etc. that simply do not believe in anything except
       mankind.
       >
       > Hope this helps.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think the main point of open theism is to say that not all
       outcomes are always predetermined, and that we are followers of
       Jesus because we want to be, not because He knows that we would.
       I guess i’m Not a traditional representation of an open theist
       either, because I can see some of the arguments for Calvinism in
       a way that I understand and agree with as well.
       I think I don’t fully fall into either of the two categories in
       a traditional sense. To a traditional open theist, Calvinists
       seem like they are saying that God is just up there playing army
       men all day. To a traditional Calvinist, an open theist sounds
       like they are saying that God has no control over anything.
       Like many arguments in theology that I’ve run across, most of
       the points of contention are actually the extremist view on
       either side and/or a misunderstanding of terminology. If you pay
       close enough attention, both sides agree with each other more
       than you would think they do, (except the extremists)
       [/quote]
       There is a difference in Predestined and Foreknown. Of course,
       God is in complete control. He predestined people because He
       knew in advance what they would do. Jon, he knew when and where
       you were going to give your heart to him. All He did was make
       the conditions right so that when you exercised your free-will
       to accept him as your savior, it would happen. You cannot force
       someone to love you and He is smart enough to know that.
       There are those that believe they have the free-will to turn
       away from GOD after they have been saved. I disagree with this
       point in that Jesus tells us a number of times that He will lose
       one who His father has given him. They therefore were not saved
       in the beginning.
       So, the bottom line is, if you are one who knows without a doubt
       that they are in the Body of Christ, you were one of those that
       were predestined before the beginning of Heavens and the earth.
       Gen 1:1.
       Blade
       #Post#: 303--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: guest5
       Date: August 12, 2018, 10:05 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Bladerunner link ---
       > they[/b] have the free-will to turn away from GOD after they
       have been saved. I disagree with this point in that Jesus tells
       us a number of times that He will lose one who His father has
       given him. They therefore were not saved in the beginning.
       >
       > So, the bottom line is, if you are one who knows without a
       doubt that they are in the Body of Christ, you were one of those
       that were predestined before the beginning of Heavens and the
       earth. Gen 1:1.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I totally understand what you are saying here Blade. I guess, by
       the time I’ve entered discussions between Calvinists and Open
       Theists, the topic has already devolved into a bickering match
       between the extreme representatives of those viewpoints. I have
       a hard time seeing why anybody who is truly a follower of Christ
       would want to leave the fold in the first place so I see your
       points. I’ve come and left before and I can see how maybe I
       could not have been as sincere as I thought I had been at the
       time. I’m glad to have had this talk with you and to see that
       your viewpoint actually works hand in hand with my own. We don’t
       always get to have productive talks like this when we get so
       caught up in trying to prove the other guy wrong.
       #Post#: 307--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: Sasha
       Date: August 12, 2018, 11:11 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Jon Wood link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Bladerunner link=topic=22.msg254#msg254
       date=1533960854]
       > are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       >
       > The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is
       pretty clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say
       about their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect
       their salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this
       point.
       >
       > My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons
       past  saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set
       my heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at
       that time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward
       to when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone,
       etc. He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face
       to heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my
       savior.
       >
       > He also knows those that will not accept him, that have
       rejected Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during
       their lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist
       forums, etc. that simply do not believe in anything except
       mankind.
       >
       > Hope this helps.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think the main point of open theism is to say that not all
       outcomes are always predetermined, and that we are followers of
       Jesus because we want to be, not because He knows that we would.
       I guess i’m Not a traditional representation of an open theist
       either, because I can see some of the arguments for Calvinism in
       a way that I understand and agree with as well.
       I think I don’t fully fall into either of the two categories in
       a traditional sense. To a traditional open theist, Calvinists
       seem like they are saying that God is just up there playing army
       men all day. To a traditional Calvinist, an open theist sounds
       like they are saying that God has no control over anything.
       Like many arguments in theology that I’ve run across, most of
       the points of contention are actually the extremist view on
       either side and/or a misunderstanding of terminology. If you pay
       close enough attention, both sides agree with each other more
       than you would think they do, (except the extremists)
       [/quote]
       Open Theism also draws forth a term that undermines human lens.
       Open.  If taken to the full literal, the “Open” Theist is prone
       to not posture, but learn, grow and perpetually develop, without
       “Closing” theology or having a cup so full, that it can no
       longer be filled.
       Ironically, this means “Open” Theist commentary would be mere
       ponderings along a path of development that would change with
       “time”.
       Constantly Developing is a better way to word this.  I believe
       someone once said that and I genuinely appreciated their saying
       it.
       #Post#: 320--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: guest8
       Date: August 12, 2018, 7:21 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Sasha link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Jon Wood link=topic=22.msg269#msg269
       date=1534005654]
       > [quote author=Bladerunner link=topic=22.msg254#msg254
       date=1533960854]
       > are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       >
       > The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is
       pretty clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say
       about their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect
       their salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this
       point.
       >
       > My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons
       past  saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set
       my heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at
       that time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward
       to when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone,
       etc. He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face
       to heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my
       savior.
       >
       > He also knows those that will not accept him, that have
       rejected Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during
       their lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist
       forums, etc. that simply do not believe in anything except
       mankind.
       >
       > Hope this helps.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think the main point of open theism is to say that not all
       outcomes are always predetermined, and that we are followers of
       Jesus because we want to be, not because He knows that we would.
       I guess i’m Not a traditional representation of an open theist
       either, because I can see some of the arguments for Calvinism in
       a way that I understand and agree with as well.
       I think I don’t fully fall into either of the two categories in
       a traditional sense. To a traditional open theist, Calvinists
       seem like they are saying that God is just up there playing army
       men all day. To a traditional Calvinist, an open theist sounds
       like they are saying that God has no control over anything.
       Like many arguments in theology that I’ve run across, most of
       the points of contention are actually the extremist view on
       either side and/or a misunderstanding of terminology. If you pay
       close enough attention, both sides agree with each other more
       than you would think they do, (except the extremists)
       [/quote]
       Open Theism also draws forth a term that undermines human lens.
       Open.  If taken to the full literal, the “Open” Theist is prone
       to not posture, but learn, grow and perpetually develop, without
       “Closing” theology or having a cup so full, that it can no
       longer be filled.
       Ironically, this means “Open” Theist commentary would be mere
       ponderings along a path of development that would change with
       “time”.
       Constantly Developing is a better way to word this.  I believe
       someone once said that and I genuinely appreciated their saying
       it.
       [/quote]
       Then your saying Open Theology is a progressive living theology?
       Blade
       #Post#: 326--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: joechan82
       Date: August 12, 2018, 10:12 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Scotty link ---
       >
       > I love to Study and Paul most certainly is the Apostle for us
       gentiles :] I agree, I will look into this deeper.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I am not a mid Acts guy, but I read a little about it on TF.
       There is a certain logic to it. I'm checking it out too. For
       now, it is back burner for me. Let me know what you like/dislike
       about it. Then we can gang up on PJ and drive him mad. (Oops.
       Poor choice of words.)
       #Post#: 328--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: Sasha
       Date: August 12, 2018, 10:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Bladerunner link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Sasha link=topic=22.msg307#msg307
       date=1534090311]
       > [quote author=Jon Wood link=topic=22.msg269#msg269
       date=1534005654]
       > [quote author=Bladerunner link=topic=22.msg254#msg254
       date=1533960854]
       > are you familiar with Arminianism?  It is the opposite of
       Calvinism as they still believe that God allows MAN to have free
       will to accept or reject HIM. They simply do not believe in
       predestination The open Theology is a runoff from that. It is a
       silly argument to me but then that is my opinion. God is not
       forcing us to accept HIM, but rather has foreseen who will
       accept him and He does everything He can do to make sure that
       happens including saving my but many times in those early years.
       >
       > The free-will people do not believe Rom 8:29-30. This is
       pretty clearly stated and I feel God will have something to say
       about their not believing His scripture. Whether it will affect
       their salvation, I do not know as there is some dispute on this
       point.
       >
       > My post shows why I believe in Predestination. God in eons
       past  saw me, Blade and knew that I would seek Him. He then set
       my heart right at the right time. I still had the free will at
       that time to seek HIM or NOT. Bringing this information forward
       to when we are actually living on earth, Jesus knows everyone,
       etc. He also knew that on a certain day, I would raise my face
       to heaven and ask Him to come into my heart and become my
       savior.
       >
       > He also knows those that will not accept him, that have
       rejected Him (and I am getting close to the line here) during
       their lifetimes. You have seen some of these people on atheist
       forums, etc. that simply do not believe in anything except
       mankind.
       >
       > Hope this helps.
       >
       > Blade
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I think the main point of open theism is to say that not all
       outcomes are always predetermined, and that we are followers of
       Jesus because we want to be, not because He knows that we would.
       I guess i’m Not a traditional representation of an open theist
       either, because I can see some of the arguments for Calvinism in
       a way that I understand and agree with as well.
       I think I don’t fully fall into either of the two categories in
       a traditional sense. To a traditional open theist, Calvinists
       seem like they are saying that God is just up there playing army
       men all day. To a traditional Calvinist, an open theist sounds
       like they are saying that God has no control over anything.
       Like many arguments in theology that I’ve run across, most of
       the points of contention are actually the extremist view on
       either side and/or a misunderstanding of terminology. If you pay
       close enough attention, both sides agree with each other more
       than you would think they do, (except the extremists)
       [/quote]
       Open Theism also draws forth a term that undermines human lens.
       Open.  If taken to the full literal, the “Open” Theist is prone
       to not posture, but learn, grow and perpetually develop, without
       “Closing” theology or having a cup so full, that it can no
       longer be filled.
       Ironically, this means “Open” Theist commentary would be mere
       ponderings along a path of development that would change with
       “time”.
       Constantly Developing is a better way to word this.  I believe
       someone once said that and I genuinely appreciated their saying
       it.
       [/quote]
       Then your saying Open Theology is a progressive living theology?
       Blade
       [/quote]
       Blade,
       For me and others along the path, I would absolutely say that.
       It’s a rebellious cry to admit that theology in general is meant
       to be perpetually searched out and never capped off.  It’s the
       desire to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit in Scripture till
       death.
       You nailed it!
       All Love in Jesus Christ to you, Brother.
       #Post#: 336--------------------------------------------------
       Re: How did you arrive at your current Theological stance?
   DIR By: Sasha
       Date: August 13, 2018, 5:35 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: joechan82 link ---
       >
       >
       > -Quote from Sasha- “Blade,
       >
       > For me and others along the path, I would absolutely say that.
       It’s a rebellious cry to admit that theology in general is
       meant to be perpetually searched out and never capped off.  It’s
       the desire to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit in Scripture
       till death.
       >
       > You nailed it!
       >
       > All Love in Jesus Christ to you, Brother.”
       >
       > -Quote from Joechan82- “In that case, I'm not what anybody
       would call Open. I do believe that the Holy Spirit helps us to
       understand scripture, because He wrote it in the first place.
       The continuing for me is called sanctification. Many things in
       the Bible are clear. Anybody can see some things. I do not avoid
       labels for myself either. Words mean things and help us
       understand things.  If you know what I am, you can then relate
       to me. Talk about rambling! What time is it anyway?”
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       @Joechan82
       Please forgive me.  I think you quoted part of my post in your
       initial response, but it showed up without quotes, so I didn’t
       check the end of your post to see that you had added your words
       to explain the response and I was concerned I had messed
       something up and somehow posted in a way that quoted to show the
       post as if it was you.
       Anyhow, please forgive me.  I’ve fixed it and quoted your words
       to retain your post.
       If you highlight, copy and past your words, then repost, your
       post will be restored as you originally had it.
       It was a total error on my part.  I won’t let it happen again.
       So very sorry!
       @Patrick Jane ... please forgive me.  I know what I did wrong
       and won’t do it again.
       I hit the wrong button.
       *****************************************************
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