When? Did you ever hear me quote one of them? I do like C.S. Lewis, but does that make a person's eyes lust? I do think C.S. Lewis was a great theologian. Does that mean I'm prideful? I like Spurgeon a lot too. Do you read anybody else beside the Bible?
I don't remember you saying that the first time :idunno: Was this really what you intended to say?
He was simply saying, the bible, as he understands it, is summed up as Calvinism. He isn't worshipping Calvin. He is simply saying that when he reads his bible, and reads John Calvin, he finds he agrees with him. It would be akin to you saying "Bullinger speaks scripturally regarding MAD." I wouldn't think you were worshipping Bullinger. Why would I? :idunno:
In a nutshell, these are hangers and hooks. MAD is a set of hangers for how one puts together and understands verses. You don't have to worship MAD to hold to its teachings. It is just the way you understand scriptures and how you explain that to somebody else. If we all weren't trying to discuss things, there would be no need to say "Bullinger" or "MAD." Who would care? You? No, you'd just call it 'biblical as best as I understand it.' See what I mean? I am not MAD. In fact, I disagree with MAD, BUT I also can appreciate it. I don't have to think it needs to hang in my particular closet lest I go into another's house and try and tell them how to arrange their furniture.
Yeah, I agree, over the top. It'd be like me saying there is none greater, born to women than AMR. It would be a lot of fluff and I'd rather simply say "AMR is my brother, has been a mentor to me graciously, and I cannot t say enough nice things about him. BTW, bad timing on this EE. You know he's going through a tough time. You know my 2nd cousin's boy died. Why did you decide this was the week to do this? Why would you say whatever we write or say is utterly worthless during such a time?
What are you doing?
Are you so committed to MAD and OT that you must crush and destroy all others? They can't be your brothers or sisters in Christ? We have to agree on everything, else I'm dead to you? Isn't that the very cookie-cutter you'd have me eschew? Do you want me to lose one only to pick up another? Your words are hurtful and I'm not seeing them as faithful in this particular post and the one ensuing.
How is dying to self, and thus denying our will is 'free' but His, "worshipping self or creature other than Creator?" Isn't it, in fact, the opposite?
This last line is clear, but what isn't clear is 'why' you are saying it. There is a disconnect. In a nutshell, I don't worship John Calvin. Even John Calvin didn't postulate all of 'Calvinism.' He may not have even been a 'Calvinist' to some Calvinists today.
Psalm 84:10 Colossians 3:3,4 That's all I want. Calvinism, 'freely' choosing a will that serves Him. Job 13:15 When Christianity becomes self-effacing, I think we are getting close to where we are supposed to be John 15:5 Everything in us screams against dying to self. Romans 9:3 I'm not there yet. I want to know that kind of love, but my free will and self interest has to die, if I am ever going to follow Paul as He follows Christ. Philippians 2:17
Who am I judging? I'm simply saying in this particular thread, that I'm scripturally against sinless birth theories. It doesn't fit scripture to me. Again, AMR and I are both going through quite a bit right now. Why'd you choose to cast stones after we were blind-sided this week/month already? Are these the wounds of a faithful friend? Are they accurate and actually needed or are you doing frivolous operations? Wouldn't that about have you making me the cookie cut?
I'm not even telling GD or anybody not to believe. I haven't even been in thread but to thank you and others behind the scenes. It was a difficult discussion for me 1) because I genuinely believe it is unbiblical 2) because it isn't a hill I want to take or trounce, just state my 'why I'm against it' and leave the rest in God's hands and 3) because these kinds of discussions can alienate people I've no wish to alienate. [/INDENT]
I am not a free will, I 'have' a will. It is most free, to me, when it conforms to the image of His Son. In my every interaction with others, this is my hope for them as well. We can be self-willed, this thread is about leaving 'orthodox' views and only a person can do that and it is self-willed. All I want is to be His-willed. "Puppet" doesn't scare me. Being 'worthless' does scare me. The parable of the talents is about the guy who buried it. Worse, might be the guy that decided it was 'his' talent (or his will). Romans 14:8 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
