Are they with the Occupiers? Are they protesting in the middle of the freeway? It *would* be the perfect place to protest. It is called the "freeway" after all.
Growing up Calvinist, I now tend to take more of Open Theism on the matter. If the future IS determined, then God must know it. If the future is not determined, then God must be more free to act within the sequence of time to participate in His mission of saving the world. His love demands that we obtain freedom, and His own freedom demands that the future is not determined.
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Ps. 115:3)
I am God, and there is no other like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose," calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." (Is. 46:9c-11)
If God, restrained by His omnibenevolence (according to you...not the Bible), can't decree the future due to the preeminent freedom of man's free will, how has any prophesy existed?
(From a Calvinistic background to hyper-Arminian sounds like someone's been reading Clark Pinock.)
Brian said...(From a Calvinistic background to hyper-Arminian sounds like someone's been reading Clark Pinock.)
Maybe Clark Pinnock. Or could be Gregory Boyd, or someone who teaches the aplogetics program at Talbot.
There are some very amiable and persuasive people in the Open Theism camp. Pretty nice guys. That is why it is so important to be solidly grounded in the Reformed confessions and be able to defend those doctrines with scripture.
I like anything that is free. If you are giving away free wills, please send me several of them. I will save a bundle on lawyers, they charge way too much for end of life documents.
On another note, "free" will is costly considering we only managed to get ourselves into a depraved state state with it.
"For as a man who kills himself is still alive when he kills himself, but having killed himself is then no longer alive and cannot resuscitate himself after he has destroyed his own life - so also sin which arises from the action of the free will turns out to be victor over the will and the free will is destroyed. ... I ask you what kind of liberty can one have who is bound as a slave except the liberty that loves to sin?"
Now I get it. The reason God doesn't have a free will, per Arminian Antics, is because He isn't human!
ReplyDeleteEpic!
ReplyDeleteAre they with the Occupiers? Are they protesting in the middle of the freeway? It *would* be the perfect place to protest. It is called the "freeway" after all.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up Calvinist, I now tend to take more of Open Theism on the matter. If the future IS determined, then God must know it. If the future is not determined, then God must be more free to act within the sequence of time to participate in His mission of saving the world. His love demands that we obtain freedom, and His own freedom demands that the future is not determined.
ReplyDelete@ unapologeticapologist:
ReplyDeleteScripture and verse please...
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
ReplyDeleteFor who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Romans 11:33-34
@ unapologeticapologist:
ReplyDeleteOur God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Ps. 115:3)
I am God, and there is no other like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose," calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." (Is. 46:9c-11)
If God, restrained by His omnibenevolence (according to you...not the Bible), can't decree the future due to the preeminent freedom of man's free will, how has any prophesy existed?
(From a Calvinistic background to hyper-Arminian sounds like someone's been reading Clark Pinock.)
Brian said...(From a Calvinistic background to hyper-Arminian sounds like someone's been reading Clark Pinock.)
ReplyDeleteMaybe Clark Pinnock. Or could be Gregory Boyd, or someone who teaches the aplogetics program at Talbot.
There are some very amiable and persuasive people in the Open Theism camp. Pretty nice guys. That is why it is so important to be solidly grounded in the Reformed confessions and be able to defend those doctrines with scripture.
I like anything that is free. If you are giving away free wills, please send me several of them. I will save a bundle on lawyers, they charge way too much for end of life documents.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, "free" will is costly considering we only managed to get ourselves into a depraved state state with it.
"For as a man who kills himself is still alive when he kills himself, but having killed himself is then no longer alive and cannot resuscitate himself after he has destroyed his own life - so also sin which arises from the action of the free will turns out to be victor over the will and the free will is destroyed. ... I ask you what kind of liberty can one have who is bound as a slave except the liberty that loves to sin?"
-Augustine, Enchiridion of Faith, Hope and Love
Thank God for His free grace that saves sinners!