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And, in all fairness, many Calvinists would argue that we impugn the character of God's sovereignty when we suggest that some that God wants to save will ultimately reject salvation.

**duplicate post

First, I guess we'd have to define what we mean by "special grace" as that is not a term that is typically used by Calvinists or Arminians. Calvinists would tend to talk about "irresistible grace" and "limited atonement", meaning that Christ died only to atone for the elect to the exclusion of...

Most, if not all, of what you've said here is completely consistent with Arminianism. I don't know if you were aware of that. Unfortunately, we are often mischaracterized by Calvinists and many people who claim to be Arminian don't understand much about Arminian soteriology.

It would be great to discuss Calvinism and Arminianism with Calvinists who honestly and sincerely try to understand what Arminians actually believe and vice versa. Unfortunately, a fair number on each side would rather tear down straw men. Christians, who are filled with the Spirit of God...

I do not believe that "if there had been woman priests there would have been a lot less molestation of young boys...." other denominations that have allowed female clergy have had their own share of sexual abuse issues.

I think it's fair to say that RCC, EO, OO, etc all have a vastly different understanding of clergy than do most Protestants. Specifically, they view their clergy as having a priestly function, that being an intermediary between God and man. Certainly, some Protestants have imported this idea of...

I can help but wondering: where in the NT does it prescribe or even allow for an office of "priest"? Aren't we all, as believers, the priesthood, with Jesus as our one and only high priest?

Your tone suggests that adamently refuse to consider any opinion on the matter that disagrees with yours. For this reason, I agree that a serious discussion would be fruitless. I pray that someday God opens your heart and mind to consider that other serious, godly Christian brothers and sisters...

Was OT God different from NT God?

You're missing the point entirely, whether intentionally or inadvertently I cannot say. Either way, I don't have time right now to explain it to you any more than I already have. And, if it takes this long to help you see that the issue is more complicated than can be summarized in a single...

So, in the NKJV, an even more strongly Calvinistic translation, the ratio changes, but still not 100% as you claimed. The point remains: don't try to take such a complicated issue and simplify to a verse or word study.

I did exactly what you said only to show that it was a gross overgeneralization and oversimplification. As far as the translation goes, unless you are arguing that the NIV is not a valid translation, it shouldn't matter what translation you use -- the point is that biblically speaking, both God...

Really? Below are 10 of the 14 times the word "choose" appears in the NT of the NIV (which is a Calvinist leaning translation itself). (I concede that the other 4 appear to be in the context you suggest, but I point this out only to show that the issue is far too complicated for a simple word...

I don't agree with your conclusion, but I deeply appreciate the humility and thoughtfulness of this response. I do not take lightly the idea of leaving a church. But, if your church experience causes you to believe that you are beyond saving, then it's a toxic environment. I can see the other...

Which is why I encourage her to attend a church that teaches "repent and believe", rather than a church that says, "you can't repent and believe unless you're part of the club". But, that's all I'm going to say in this thread. I've spoken my peace and what was necessary for this thread. I hope...

This is faulty theology that I would love to discuss with you when I have time to do it thoroughly and properly. For the purposes of this thread and this moment in time, I will stick by what I've already said.

If it were as clear as you suggest, it would not have been so soundly debated so thoroughly by well informed and well intentioned Christians for the past 400 years. That said, I have been going back and forth on this with Dave for the past few days, and as much as I would like to continue to...

I thoroughly disagree with you, but I am not sure that this is the appropriate place to expound on that. What I see is a person who is being convinced that she is beyond saving. When someone is struggling with these doubts the type of teaching that she is receiving, whether you or I agree or...

The only disagreement that I have with this is the order of things in your last paragraph. Jesus knows who will freely choose to accept him, and therefore they are His sheep. They don't accept Him because they are His sheep, but they are his sheep because they have accepted or will accept him...