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This is a War Briefing
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Jan 24, 2019 23:21:55   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
It is imperative that everyone who follows Jesus Christ understands that we are in a war. It's a war that is spiritual, but it may have physical consequences. If you're not aware that you are in that kind of war, you very likely have already been taken captive. If you are a pacifist in this war, you have been at least effectively neutralized. Neutrality is capitulation.

There is no fence-sitting as the battle rages. Jesus said that he who is not with Him is against Him (Matthew:12:30) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

So, if we are indeed in a war, what's it all about? It's a war for the hearts of humanity—and the adversaries are God and Satan.

"Are you serious? Are you telling me that God couldn't defeat Satan in a heartbeat—that one of His created beings is a match for Him?"

"No. I know that God could wipe out Satan in an instant and, for that matter, all the rest of God's created, rebellious beings collectively, should He so desire. He did it once before, save eight."

The war on God's part is not about defeating His adversary. It is a battle over the prize. It's about winning the hearts of mankind. "My son, give me thine heart." (Proverbs:23:26) My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

This is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. It starts out with the "first and great commandment" (Matthew:22:37-38) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
We're to love God with all our heart. That's what heaven and eternal life are all about. Those who have believed the gospel and have given their hearts to Jesus will spend eternity with Him. This is what God desires, and it is the crux of the battle.

There are some who say there is no free will—that there is no choice on our part—and that God has predestined everything. God certainly knows everything, but if He has determined ahead of time everything that would take place, then we're not really giving Him our hearts—we've been programmed to do that, or not to do that. If that's the case, then He's the one who's really doing it. The command to love Him with all our heart would depend on His keeping that command.

The command then becomes some kind of charade. And the battle—well, there could be no real battle because He's doing all of it. If God has predestined everything, then what would be the point of Scripture verses that exhort us to "fight the good fight of faith," or "put on the whole armor of God"; or verses that use terms like the "weapons of our warfare," or tell us that we are to be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and that we are to "wage the good warfare"? If everything was predestined, and if we took those verses seriously, at best, our fight would be like shadow boxing or play-acting. No! We are in a real war—the battle of the ages. It's a war between God and Satan, and the prize is humanity.

Often, before soldiers go into a battle, they attend a briefing where strategies, critical information, and certain objectives are presented. Sometimes they are reminded of the overall game plan of the war. That's the approach I'm taking in this "war briefing," beginning with an overview of God's game plan.

God's goal, according to the Scriptures, is to win the hearts of men and women with whom He desires to spend eternity: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy:2:3-4)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter:3:9)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life..." (John:3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
These, and many, many other verses declare God's wonderful objective.

God's primary means for achieving His goal is to communicate through His Word His desire to spend eternity with those whom He created, as well as revealing what He has accomplished for their sakes that would enable them to spend eternity with Him. Without God's revelation to us concerning His unfathomable act of love on our behalf, we could not know it. But He has communicated in His Word all that He has done for us and what He requires of us in order to be reconciled to Him and to receive the gift of eternal life: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that, i.e., salvation is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians:2:8)

Since understanding that God's communication is key to His goal of winning the hearts of mankind, it's not surprising that His Word would be the major target for His enemies. Shutting down, or at least disrupting, communication is the most effective tactic for defeating an enemy. If the troops can't get orders from their leaders, they are terribly vulnerable. Which brings us to God's main adversary, Satan, and his strategies. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians:2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Although we're not to major on the deceptions of the devil, we nevertheless must be aware of them.

On the other hand, we look to God and His strategy for us: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians:6:11-13)

Sounds like a war briefing to me! Satan (which means "adversary") and his troops seem to be the opponents here. And we are not to be ignorant of his devices, or his "wiles." "Wiles" is translated from the Greek word metho daa a, meaning his methods, e.g., cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. These are all part of his methods—the strategies that the "father of lies" has crafted in the war against God for our hearts.

Satan's master strategy is the same that he has used from the very beginning on humanity, and he has certainly expanded on it throughout the ages: "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis:3:1)

First of all, some people have trouble with a talking serpent. They can't take that as a literal statement, probably because they've never seen a serpent talk or communicate with a person. However, since none of us were there, we can't know for sure whether or not communication with animals was a normal condition before the fall of mankind into sin. The Bible doesn't tell us.

Nevertheless, for those who continue protesting that such a thing is absurd, I wonder why don't they protest against our government and try to get some of their tax money back from the multimillions of dollars the U.S. has spent on research trying to communicate with animals such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and dolphins, or at least curb their "conversations" with their own pets.

If a person claims to be a believer but has trouble believing that Satan literally spoke through a serpent and needs some further assurance, here are a couple of verses: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians:11:3)

Furthermore, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter:2:16)But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet., confirms another incident in Scripture in which an animal, this time a donkey, literally spoke "with a man's voice and forbade the madness of the prophet" Balaam.

For those who consider the Genesis account of the serpent a myth of Judaism and Christianity, even a cursory search of the pagan religions of the world will reveal an amazing emphasis on serpent worship. India has the hooded cobra of Hinduism; Scandinavia has the Midgard Serpent; the Greeks have the god Python; the Egyptians have Uraeus; the Aztecs have their savior-god Quetzalcoatl, the plumed Serpent; Haitians worship the Great Serpent; American Hopi Indians perform the ceremony of the snake dance, and there are multitudes of others. Even the medical profession has paid homage to Aesculapius, the Greek god who is said to have received a healing herb from the mouth of a serpent. The original Hippocratic oath taken when doctors received their M.D. degrees began, "I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses...."

In all of the pagan religions above and many more, the very lies that the serpent fed to Eve are accepted as truth. The serpent for them is the symbol of perennial wisdom and eternal life—the good guy. This focus on the serpent by many cultures separated by time and distance—cultures that never had contact with one another yet who worship the serpent—is an amazing worldwide development stemming from something that supposedly never happened! But for those who believe the Bible, it's certainly consistent for one who is called "the god of this world," "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (2 Corinthians:4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Revelation:12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Serpent worship, however, is neither Satan's ultimate goal nor his master strategy for deceiving the world. He is intent upon destroying the communication between God and His created beings. That strategy began by introducing doubt in the mind of Eve: "And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said...?" God gave a command to Adam. It was an absolute. He told him that he could eat of any tree of the Garden except one—and if he ate of that one, he would die. It was a test of obedience to see if he and Eve loved God. Jesus said in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, that if a man loves Him (Jesus), he will do what He says. The consequence of disobeying God's absolute command was death—physical death and separation from God forever.

Separation from God forever is Satan's end, and he is bent on taking mankind down with him. His strategy for accomplishing this is clear in Genesis:3:1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
He is dialoging with Eve for the purpose of breaking down her commitment to what God commanded: "Yea, hath God said?" To begin with, it was a subtle interrogation, probably not unlike the rationalization that goes on in our own minds from time to time, especially if our flesh isn't thrilled with what God's Word says. Eve was given something to think about, wrapped up, of course, in a very seductive sales package and delivered with a smooth pitch by Satan: getting her to think that God was withholding that particular fruit from her, causing her to wonder if there might be something special about it, or in it--something that would improve her situation, or even give her god-like powers.

That's the strategy of the Adversary's dialogue. But one doesn't dialogue about absolutes. When that happens, something is either being added to or subtracted from the absolute. And that addition or subtraction, whether from Satan or from man, is a "way" (a solution, a path) that may seem appealing, even right, but that will inevitably lead to destruction (Proverbs:14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The strategy is designed for disrupting God's communication—for undermining the authority of God's Word. In verses 2 and 3 of Genesis 3, we see by Eve's response that she seems to have added something to God's command: "neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." This wasn't part of the command that God gave to Adam. Although her addition seems to strengthen what God said, it still misrepresents what God actually commanded. You see, when we get into a dialogue over something that we believe to be absolute truth, an adversary's goal is simply to get us to move from our position--in any direction. That effectively negates its absolute characteristic or quality. Once we've moved away from our steadfast position, the slide begins that ultimately ends in destruction.

This tactic, which began in the Garden of Eden, has been used throughout history to get people to change their views—particularly fixed views. It was used effectively by Marxists to convert millions to communism, and it is used extensively today in the socialization process of our government, corporations, and educational system. Its aim is to tear down absolutes, dogmas, fixed ideas, traditional views, individualism, and religious beliefs. It's a technique of getting people to conform to what the majority says is best and is directed at "nonconformists" such as...well, biblical Christians would fit that definition.

The Berean Call

Reply
Jan 25, 2019 10:08:18   #
Rose42
 
Good article! The war is very real. If we are too comfortable or don't have any conflict then something is awry.

I have a question though about the doctrine of predestination. I've not been a Christian as long as many others and am not as well versed. Its my understanding that God has predetermined those who will be saved. That however does not absolve us from any responsibility or decision making on our part. It also doesn't take away our free will or absolve us of the responsibility of witnessing to others.

Is that incorrect?

Reply
Jan 25, 2019 10:35:14   #
bahmer
 
Zemirah wrote:
It is imperative that everyone who follows Jesus Christ understands that we are in a war. It's a war that is spiritual, but it may have physical consequences. If you're not aware that you are in that kind of war, you very likely have already been taken captive. If you are a pacifist in this war, you have been at least effectively neutralized. Neutrality is capitulation.

There is no fence-sitting as the battle rages. Jesus said that he who is not with Him is against Him (Matthew:12:30) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

So, if we are indeed in a war, what's it all about? It's a war for the hearts of humanity—and the adversaries are God and Satan.

"Are you serious? Are you telling me that God couldn't defeat Satan in a heartbeat—that one of His created beings is a match for Him?"

"No. I know that God could wipe out Satan in an instant and, for that matter, all the rest of God's created, rebellious beings collectively, should He so desire. He did it once before, save eight."

The war on God's part is not about defeating His adversary. It is a battle over the prize. It's about winning the hearts of mankind. "My son, give me thine heart." (Proverbs:23:26) My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

This is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. It starts out with the "first and great commandment" (Matthew:22:37-38) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
We're to love God with all our heart. That's what heaven and eternal life are all about. Those who have believed the gospel and have given their hearts to Jesus will spend eternity with Him. This is what God desires, and it is the crux of the battle.

There are some who say there is no free will—that there is no choice on our part—and that God has predestined everything. God certainly knows everything, but if He has determined ahead of time everything that would take place, then we're not really giving Him our hearts—we've been programmed to do that, or not to do that. If that's the case, then He's the one who's really doing it. The command to love Him with all our heart would depend on His keeping that command.

The command then becomes some kind of charade. And the battle—well, there could be no real battle because He's doing all of it. If God has predestined everything, then what would be the point of Scripture verses that exhort us to "fight the good fight of faith," or "put on the whole armor of God"; or verses that use terms like the "weapons of our warfare," or tell us that we are to be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and that we are to "wage the good warfare"? If everything was predestined, and if we took those verses seriously, at best, our fight would be like shadow boxing or play-acting. No! We are in a real war—the battle of the ages. It's a war between God and Satan, and the prize is humanity.

Often, before soldiers go into a battle, they attend a briefing where strategies, critical information, and certain objectives are presented. Sometimes they are reminded of the overall game plan of the war. That's the approach I'm taking in this "war briefing," beginning with an overview of God's game plan.

God's goal, according to the Scriptures, is to win the hearts of men and women with whom He desires to spend eternity: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy:2:3-4)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter:3:9)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life..." (John:3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
These, and many, many other verses declare God's wonderful objective.

God's primary means for achieving His goal is to communicate through His Word His desire to spend eternity with those whom He created, as well as revealing what He has accomplished for their sakes that would enable them to spend eternity with Him. Without God's revelation to us concerning His unfathomable act of love on our behalf, we could not know it. But He has communicated in His Word all that He has done for us and what He requires of us in order to be reconciled to Him and to receive the gift of eternal life: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that, i.e., salvation is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians:2:8)

Since understanding that God's communication is key to His goal of winning the hearts of mankind, it's not surprising that His Word would be the major target for His enemies. Shutting down, or at least disrupting, communication is the most effective tactic for defeating an enemy. If the troops can't get orders from their leaders, they are terribly vulnerable. Which brings us to God's main adversary, Satan, and his strategies. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians:2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Although we're not to major on the deceptions of the devil, we nevertheless must be aware of them.

On the other hand, we look to God and His strategy for us: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians:6:11-13)

Sounds like a war briefing to me! Satan (which means "adversary") and his troops seem to be the opponents here. And we are not to be ignorant of his devices, or his "wiles." "Wiles" is translated from the Greek word metho daa a, meaning his methods, e.g., cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. These are all part of his methods—the strategies that the "father of lies" has crafted in the war against God for our hearts.

Satan's master strategy is the same that he has used from the very beginning on humanity, and he has certainly expanded on it throughout the ages: "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis:3:1)

First of all, some people have trouble with a talking serpent. They can't take that as a literal statement, probably because they've never seen a serpent talk or communicate with a person. However, since none of us were there, we can't know for sure whether or not communication with animals was a normal condition before the fall of mankind into sin. The Bible doesn't tell us.

Nevertheless, for those who continue protesting that such a thing is absurd, I wonder why don't they protest against our government and try to get some of their tax money back from the multimillions of dollars the U.S. has spent on research trying to communicate with animals such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and dolphins, or at least curb their "conversations" with their own pets.

If a person claims to be a believer but has trouble believing that Satan literally spoke through a serpent and needs some further assurance, here are a couple of verses: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians:11:3)

Furthermore, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter:2:16)But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet., confirms another incident in Scripture in which an animal, this time a donkey, literally spoke "with a man's voice and forbade the madness of the prophet" Balaam.

For those who consider the Genesis account of the serpent a myth of Judaism and Christianity, even a cursory search of the pagan religions of the world will reveal an amazing emphasis on serpent worship. India has the hooded cobra of Hinduism; Scandinavia has the Midgard Serpent; the Greeks have the god Python; the Egyptians have Uraeus; the Aztecs have their savior-god Quetzalcoatl, the plumed Serpent; Haitians worship the Great Serpent; American Hopi Indians perform the ceremony of the snake dance, and there are multitudes of others. Even the medical profession has paid homage to Aesculapius, the Greek god who is said to have received a healing herb from the mouth of a serpent. The original Hippocratic oath taken when doctors received their M.D. degrees began, "I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses...."

In all of the pagan religions above and many more, the very lies that the serpent fed to Eve are accepted as truth. The serpent for them is the symbol of perennial wisdom and eternal life—the good guy. This focus on the serpent by many cultures separated by time and distance—cultures that never had contact with one another yet who worship the serpent—is an amazing worldwide development stemming from something that supposedly never happened! But for those who believe the Bible, it's certainly consistent for one who is called "the god of this world," "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (2 Corinthians:4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Revelation:12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Serpent worship, however, is neither Satan's ultimate goal nor his master strategy for deceiving the world. He is intent upon destroying the communication between God and His created beings. That strategy began by introducing doubt in the mind of Eve: "And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said...?" God gave a command to Adam. It was an absolute. He told him that he could eat of any tree of the Garden except one—and if he ate of that one, he would die. It was a test of obedience to see if he and Eve loved God. Jesus said in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, that if a man loves Him (Jesus), he will do what He says. The consequence of disobeying God's absolute command was death—physical death and separation from God forever.

Separation from God forever is Satan's end, and he is bent on taking mankind down with him. His strategy for accomplishing this is clear in Genesis:3:1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
He is dialoging with Eve for the purpose of breaking down her commitment to what God commanded: "Yea, hath God said?" To begin with, it was a subtle interrogation, probably not unlike the rationalization that goes on in our own minds from time to time, especially if our flesh isn't thrilled with what God's Word says. Eve was given something to think about, wrapped up, of course, in a very seductive sales package and delivered with a smooth pitch by Satan: getting her to think that God was withholding that particular fruit from her, causing her to wonder if there might be something special about it, or in it--something that would improve her situation, or even give her god-like powers.

That's the strategy of the Adversary's dialogue. But one doesn't dialogue about absolutes. When that happens, something is either being added to or subtracted from the absolute. And that addition or subtraction, whether from Satan or from man, is a "way" (a solution, a path) that may seem appealing, even right, but that will inevitably lead to destruction (Proverbs:14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The strategy is designed for disrupting God's communication—for undermining the authority of God's Word. In verses 2 and 3 of Genesis 3, we see by Eve's response that she seems to have added something to God's command: "neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." This wasn't part of the command that God gave to Adam. Although her addition seems to strengthen what God said, it still misrepresents what God actually commanded. You see, when we get into a dialogue over something that we believe to be absolute truth, an adversary's goal is simply to get us to move from our position--in any direction. That effectively negates its absolute characteristic or quality. Once we've moved away from our steadfast position, the slide begins that ultimately ends in destruction.

This tactic, which began in the Garden of Eden, has been used throughout history to get people to change their views—particularly fixed views. It was used effectively by Marxists to convert millions to communism, and it is used extensively today in the socialization process of our government, corporations, and educational system. Its aim is to tear down absolutes, dogmas, fixed ideas, traditional views, individualism, and religious beliefs. It's a technique of getting people to conform to what the majority says is best and is directed at "nonconformists" such as...well, biblical Christians would fit that definition.

The Berean Call
It is imperative that everyone who follows Jesus C... (show quote)


Excellent article Zemirah thanks for the food for thought. It does make on e wonder if they have been faithful to the words of our Lord and Savior and have not strayed from the beaten path so to speak.

Reply
 
 
Jan 25, 2019 10:40:26   #
bahmer
 
Rose42 wrote:
Good article! The war is very real. If we are too comfortable or don't have any conflict then something is awry.

I have a question though about the doctrine of predestination. I've not been a Christian as long as many others and am not as well versed. Its my understanding that God has predetermined those who will be saved. That however does not absolve us from any responsibility or decision making on our part. It also doesn't take away our free will or absolve us of the responsibility of witnessing to others.

Is that incorrect?
Good article! The war is very real. If we are to... (show quote)


I will allow Zemirah to respond to this as it is fairly deep in my understanding. I believe that the Lord who knows all things and can see the finish line and the starting line in the same instance knows who will and won't follow Him but we are not predestined because if we were then it would make no difference if we were to preach the gospel or to be with all of the prostitutes because we were predestined. I believe the correct phrase is we are pre known as to where we will spend eternity but we are still free moral agents to select and to chose which path we will follow.

Reply
Jan 25, 2019 10:55:15   #
solarkin
 
bahmer wrote:
I will allow Zemirah to respond to this as it is fairly deep in my understanding. I believe that the Lord who knows all things and can see the finish line and the starting line in the same instance knows who will and won't follow Him but we are not predestined because if we were then it would make no difference if we were to preach the gospel or to be with all of the prostitutes because we were predestined. I believe the correct phrase is we are pre known as to where we will spend eternity but we are still free moral agents to select and to chose which path we will follow.
I will allow Zemirah to respond to this as it is f... (show quote)


Our free will shall determine our fate.
Right now, I don't think things are looking too good for our delicate species.God provided everything we might have needed, forever,and our choice is to destroy it,and ourselves in the process.

Reply
Jan 25, 2019 23:08:58   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
You give me "unearned credit," bahmer,

My 1st point on the subject of predestination would be it's source, in that it reeks of Calvin, who idolized Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.), who idolized Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.), who worshiped Apollo Lyceus (Apollo as wolf-god).

Aristotle was one of the three pre-eminent godless pagan Greek philosophers who rose to prominence during the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The other two were Socrates and Plato.

Apollo Lyceus (Apollo as wolf-god) was the wolf form of the Greek god Apollo that was honored in ancient Athens especially at Aristotle's Lyceum, a gymnasium and public meeting place which was housed in a grove named after the god.

During those years when God was silent, man listened to the sound of his own voice.

Do you see the name of Jesus Christ in that lineup? Do you see any of those names as God's chosen authors of the Scriptures?

I agree, bahmer, that the Lord our God can see the end from the beginning, and does so without infringing in any way upon our free will, whereas, we, His creation, still do well to walk and chew gum at the same time.


bahmer wrote:
I will allow Zemirah to respond to this as it is fairly deep in my understanding. I believe that the Lord who knows all things and can see the finish line and the starting line in the same instance knows who will and won't follow Him but we are not predestined because if we were then it would make no difference if we were to preach the gospel or to be with all of the prostitutes because we were predestined. I believe the correct phrase is we are pre known as to where we will spend eternity but we are still free moral agents to select and to chose which path we will follow.
I will allow Zemirah to respond to this as it is f... (show quote)

Reply
Jan 26, 2019 00:58:28   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
You are thinking of "Calvinism, which is neither Biblical nor Godly. The Bible is our example. Whatever it says, we are to do.

IMHO, Rose, IF God would condemn us for our inability to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to repent, and seek Christ, after He, Himself had programmed that inability into us, He would be a monster, not the loving God that He is.

John Calvin was a young French Catholic law student whose ambitions were dashed when his father and brother had a falling out with Rome, and the entire family lost their favor and influence with church officials.

As a young legal minded convert, he developed the system of belief within the Reformation now known as "Reform" (Presbyterian) Theology, on which his "Institutes of Religion" is composed including his Scripturally twisted beliefs on "Predestination," most of which he borrowed from the writings and Theology of Augustine, as you can’t read five pages of John Calvin’s Institutes without Augustine being quoted.

Augustine, who is both the 5th century founder of modern Roman Catholicism's Theology, and the primary source for many positions of Calvinism, in turn, leaned heavily upon the godless Greek philosophy of Aristotle. John Calvin clearly obtained his understanding and formation of many doctrinal issues such as infant baptism, predestination, and the use of civil authorities and punishments to enforce church policy from the writings of Augustine.

John Calvin was called “the Protestant Pope” and the “Dictator of Geneva” and with good reason. In his sovereignty John Calvin irresistibly imposed and compelled his brand of “righteousness” on all the citizens of Geneva. John Calvin was a harsh man who was the first Protestant in Europe “to impose…a uniform subordination upon an entire populace… With systematic thoroughness, John Calvin set to work for realization of his plan to convert Geneva into the first Kingdom of God on earth… The whole of his life was devoted to the service of this one idea”.

Historian Will Durant wrote:

“To regulate lay conduct a system of domiciliary visits was established…and questioned the occupants on all phases of their lives… The allowable color and quantity of clothing, and the number of dishes permissible at a meal, were specified by law. Jewelry and lace were frowned upon. A woman was jailed for arranging her hair to an immoral height…

Censorship of the press was taken over from Catholic and secular precedents… To speak disrespectfully of Calvin or the clergy was a crime… Fornication was to be punished with exile or drowning; adultery, blasphemy, or idolatry, with death… a child was beheaded for striking his parents...”

From the official records of the City Council Stephan Zweig noted:

“There is hardly a day, in the records of the settings of the Town Council, in which we do not find the remark: ‘Better consult Master Calvin about this.‘”

John Calvin was given a “consultant’s chair” in every meeting of the city authorities and “when he was sick the authorities would come to his house for sessions.”

“…the sinister power of this zealot extended far beyond the walls of Geneva. The Swiss federated cities regarded him as their chief political member; throughout the western world the Protestants had appointed this “violentissimus Christianus” their commander-in-chief; kings and princes vied with one another in wooing the favour of a militant ecclesiastic who had established in Europe a Church organization second in power only to that ruled by the Roman pontiff. Nothing could happen in the political world without his knowledge; very little could happen there in defiance of his will. It had become as dangerous to offend the preacher of St.-Pierre as to offend emperor or pope…“

The Geneva Council declared in November of 1552 that Calvin’s Institutes were a “holy doctrine which no man might speak against.”

Clearly there was no separation between civil and religious affairs in Geneva. In addition, criticism of John Calvin’s Institutes was considered heresy for which the sentence was death by burning at the stake. A civil crime with a religious punishment.

To claim a difference between civil and theological governance in Geneva is a device of John Calvin’s defenders to hide his dirty laundry.

John Calvin never showed any evidence of sanctification, he showed no love and mercy to those he didn’t like, he never repented of having other Christians tortured and killed. John Calvin does not remotely emulate Jesus, the Apostles or the first century Christians.

Are we to follow this man's teachings and example?

Permit me one more illustration.

In the movie The Godfather: Part III, Michael Corleone, the Godfather, had been trying for years to get (and stay) out of organized crime and only go into “legitimate” ventures. However, the don had a difficult time doing it. Michael Corleone lamented, “Just when I thought I was out… they pulled me back in.”

Hearing that Cardinal Lamberto in the Vatican is a good and honest man Corleone visits the Cardinal for advice, and to tell him a legitimate business deal involving the Vatican Bank had gone bad because of unscrupulous people with connections to the Vatican. Cardinal Lamberto listens to Michael.

During their discussions Lamberto picks up a stone from a fountain and says, “Look at this stone. It has been lying in the water for a very long time. The water has not penetrated it.” Then Lamberto breaks the stone in two on the edge of the fountain. “Look, perfectly dry. The same thing has happened to people in Europe. For centuries, they have been surrounded by Christianity, but Christ has not penetrated. Christ doesn’t live within them.”

This particular scene reminded me of John Calvin, not because of Michael Corleone, but because of the stone. John Calvin was surrounded by Christianity, but Christ did not live within him, he was unchanged.

They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the law or the messages that the LORD Almighty had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. Zechariah 7:12

By the way, John Calvin was not alone in his persecution of those who challenged or questioned him.

Martin Luther signed a paper in 1536 that agreed that preachers who questioned basic Christian doctrines and continued to do so under penalty of death, ought to be executed by the state. Regarding the Jews, Martin Luther advised that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings were to be taken from them and safe-conduct on the highways was to be abolished. Jewish rabbis were forbidden to teach on pain of loss of life and limb.

And don’t think this is not that big a deal today as it transpired nearly 500 years ago. Messianic Christians, Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, will tell you that even today this is one reason why Jews are distrustful of the Gospel and still think today that this is what Christianity represents.

John Knox:
Went to Geneva three times to study with John Calvin claiming John Calvin’s Geneva was “The most perfect school of Christ that ever was on earth since the days of the Apostles.”
In Scotland, John Knox was involved in a successful plot to murder Cardinal Beaton in 1546. The assassination was approved and applauded by Knox, who describes the deed with a gleeful and mocking levity.

Twenty years later when Queen Mary’s counselor was brutally stabbed to death in 1566 Knox stated, “…the act was most just and worthy of all praise.”

Huldrych Zwingli, the founder of the Swiss Reformed Churches, mercilessly persecuted Anabaptists and other followers of Christ who maintained a nonresistant stance with imprisonment, torture, banishment and death. Under Zwingli’s influence, penalties of drowning, burning or beheading were decreed by the (civil) Council.

The guidance of the Holy Spirit and the living water of Christianity appears not to have penetrated the hearts of these men. Yet, in a very lame attempt to excuse them, the following is from a pro-Calvin site:

JOHN CALVIN: FROM SECOND REFORM IN GENEVA TO DEATH (1541-1564)
Reformation Men and Theology, Lesson 8 of 11 by Dr. Jack L. Arnold

Calvin considered Servetus the greatest enemy of the Reformation and honestly believed it to be the right and duty of the state to punish those who offended the church. This act was based on the Old Testament principle of death for heretics (Lev. 24:16).

Calvin also felt himself providentially called to purify the church of all corruptions, and to his dying day he neither changed his views nor regretted his conduct toward Servetus.

We should not be too hard on Calvin in the matter of Servetus, for the spirit of the day among all, except the Anabaptists, whether Catholic or Protestant, was to put heretics to death. The treatment of heretics was an error of the age, and we dare not judge Calvin by our twentieth century standards.

Sorry Dr. Arnold, John Calvin is not being judged by “our twentieth century standards” as you opine nor should he be judged by “the spirit of the day” as you suggest.

John Calvin, as we all are, is judged by the words of Christ Jesus. Jesus and his Disciples are clear on how we should deal not only with our enemies but also how to handle doctrinal issues.

Nowhere in the New Testament have I found that the use of torture, disemboweling, drowning or burning at the stake were even remotely hinted at much less permitted by Jesus or the early church that, ironically, spread like wildfire with no need of such means.

Dr. Arnold claims “The treatment of heretics was an error of the age.”

That might be a fair statement if John Calvin had not read the words of Christ Jesus. No, John Calvin is regarded by those in the Reformed Theology camp as a great exegete and as such Dr. Arnold cannot use the lame excuse he suggests, that “everyone else was doing it.”

As Dr. Arnold points out, John Calvin “to his dying day he neither changed his views nor regretted his conduct.” I have yet to see any evidence that John Calvin ever repented of his acts, but I have read many times where he boasted of them.

Again, show me where John Calvin ever “changed” as a result of being a true follower of Christ. If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck…

In the Introduction to Chapter I of the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination (1932), Loraine Boettner wrote that John Calvin, Martin Luther, and Zwingli were, “among the past and present advocates of this doctrine are to be found some of the world’s greatest and wisest men.” Clearly they neither understood nor practiced the very basics of Christianity. I have to question Boettner if he thinks these were among the world’s greatest and wisest men!

Why should I or anyone trust men who don’t grasp or implement the clear teaching by Jesus or his Disciples on how we should deal with others? If supposed great exegetes of the Gospel of Christ like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox or even Augustine before them, can’t be trusted to understand and follow the basics of Christianity why should we accept them on basic, but important, doctrine that they have gotten wrong in numerous instances and then used extreme and violent measures to enforce?

But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. Jeremiah 2:7-8

Great leaders lead by example. In the case of men like John Calvin should we follow their examples and torture, disembowel, drown or burn at the stake those who we disagree with on doctrinal issues? If not, let’s quit ignoring or glossing over their horrible deeds and examples,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calvinists state: “Finding out who He (Christ) is can be confusing”

As I was coming home from work today I noticed on the marquee of a local Presbyterian church the title of this week’s sermon:

“Curious About Reformed Theology?”

Clearly they don’t believe in predestination, because if they did they’d know it’s a waste of time trying to convince people of something they don’t have a choice in believing or not believing….

When I got home I looked up their mission statement.

It reads:

“We believe that God created us for a relationship with Him and with one another. Today, finding out who He is can be confusing. We want to have a conversation with you about God and His Son, Jesus.”

Confusing? Wait a minute, I thought there was nothing we could do to draw people to Jesus… I thought we have no choice in the matter to accept Him (e.g. have a relationship with Him).

According to Reformed Theology either one is predestined to have a relationship with God or they are predestined not to have a relationship with God. Sounds pretty straight forward to me from their Reformed Theology perspective, they believe that nothing the Presbyterian church can say or do will change anyone if God has already predetermined that He does or doesn’t want a relationship with them…

They’d be better off telling people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ than wasting time on the Gospel of John Calvin.

The interesting thing about Reformed Theology using Augustine to make the case for their doctrine of predestination is that Augustine also espoused many other doctrinal ideas that most of those who profess to be Calvinist today, as well as most “Bible Believing” Protestants reject:

Augustine stated that a person cannot know if they are going to Heaven or Hell. This is a position in both Calvinism and Islam.
Mary is the only hope for sinners and can lead to salvation.
Unbaptized infants are eternally damned. John Calvin and Martin Luther believed this as well and had believers tortured and killed who determined that infant baptism was not scriptural and were later baptized as adults.

All in all, it was not a pretty time, and one wonders at how few actually appear to have had access to, or were reading and absorbing the living Word of God.

I have never found any Scriptural basis to believe our God predestined any of us for an evil result.

We, the human race have proven ourselves to be adapt at choosing evil of our own free will, then seeking desperately someone to blame.

Without the love, sacrifice and acceptance of Jesus Christ, we would be a most pitiful lot indeed.



Rose42 wrote:
Good article! The war is very real. If we are too comfortable or don't have any conflict then something is awry.

I have a question though about the doctrine of predestination. I've not been a Christian as long as many others and am not as well versed. Its my understanding that God has predetermined those who will be saved. That however does not absolve us from any responsibility or decision making on our part. It also doesn't take away our free will or absolve us of the responsibility of witnessing to others.

Is that incorrect?
Good article! The war is very real. If we are to... (show quote)

Reply
 
 
Jan 26, 2019 01:14:48   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Hi bahmer,

I am sure that your virtue exceeds my own.

I rarely have to wonder. When I do wrong, I cannot plead ignorance.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us." (1st John 1:8-10)


bahmer wrote:
Excellent article Zemirah thanks for the food for thought. It does make on e wonder if they have been faithful to the words of our Lord and Savior and have not strayed from the beaten path so to speak.

Reply
Jan 26, 2019 10:21:23   #
bahmer
 
Again Zemirah thanks for this on predestination I had no idea where it all came from and who started it and having been Lutheran as a youth I can now see where they came from and am glad to be out of there again thanks for these lessons.

Reply
Jan 26, 2019 22:06:38   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
God, being God, is sovereign, still.

Individually, we may each reject Him.

There are a few who will not.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." (Luke 12:32-33)

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.” (Genesis 8:22)



solarkin wrote:
Our free will shall determine our fate.
Right now, I don't think things are looking too good for our delicate species.God provided everything we might have needed, forever,and our choice is to destroy it,and ourselves in the process.

Reply
Jan 27, 2019 07:24:48   #
Radiance3
 
Zemirah wrote:
It is imperative that everyone who follows Jesus Christ understands that we are in a war. It's a war that is spiritual, but it may have physical consequences. If you're not aware that you are in that kind of war, you very likely have already been taken captive. If you are a pacifist in this war, you have been at least effectively neutralized. Neutrality is capitulation.

There is no fence-sitting as the battle rages. Jesus said that he who is not with Him is against Him (Matthew:12:30) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

So, if we are indeed in a war, what's it all about? It's a war for the hearts of humanity—and the adversaries are God and Satan.

"Are you serious? Are you telling me that God couldn't defeat Satan in a heartbeat—that one of His created beings is a match for Him?"

"No. I know that God could wipe out Satan in an instant and, for that matter, all the rest of God's created, rebellious beings collectively, should He so desire. He did it once before, save eight."

The war on God's part is not about defeating His adversary. It is a battle over the prize. It's about winning the hearts of mankind. "My son, give me thine heart." (Proverbs:23:26) My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

This is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. It starts out with the "first and great commandment" (Matthew:22:37-38) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.
We're to love God with all our heart. That's what heaven and eternal life are all about. Those who have believed the gospel and have given their hearts to Jesus will spend eternity with Him. This is what God desires, and it is the crux of the battle.

There are some who say there is no free will—that there is no choice on our part—and that God has predestined everything. God certainly knows everything, but if He has determined ahead of time everything that would take place, then we're not really giving Him our hearts—we've been programmed to do that, or not to do that. If that's the case, then He's the one who's really doing it. The command to love Him with all our heart would depend on His keeping that command.

The command then becomes some kind of charade. And the battle—well, there could be no real battle because He's doing all of it. If God has predestined everything, then what would be the point of Scripture verses that exhort us to "fight the good fight of faith," or "put on the whole armor of God"; or verses that use terms like the "weapons of our warfare," or tell us that we are to be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and that we are to "wage the good warfare"? If everything was predestined, and if we took those verses seriously, at best, our fight would be like shadow boxing or play-acting. No! We are in a real war—the battle of the ages. It's a war between God and Satan, and the prize is humanity.

Often, before soldiers go into a battle, they attend a briefing where strategies, critical information, and certain objectives are presented. Sometimes they are reminded of the overall game plan of the war. That's the approach I'm taking in this "war briefing," beginning with an overview of God's game plan.

God's goal, according to the Scriptures, is to win the hearts of men and women with whom He desires to spend eternity: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy:2:3-4)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter:3:9)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life..." (John:3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
These, and many, many other verses declare God's wonderful objective.

God's primary means for achieving His goal is to communicate through His Word His desire to spend eternity with those whom He created, as well as revealing what He has accomplished for their sakes that would enable them to spend eternity with Him. Without God's revelation to us concerning His unfathomable act of love on our behalf, we could not know it. But He has communicated in His Word all that He has done for us and what He requires of us in order to be reconciled to Him and to receive the gift of eternal life: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that, i.e., salvation is not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians:2:8)

Since understanding that God's communication is key to His goal of winning the hearts of mankind, it's not surprising that His Word would be the major target for His enemies. Shutting down, or at least disrupting, communication is the most effective tactic for defeating an enemy. If the troops can't get orders from their leaders, they are terribly vulnerable. Which brings us to God's main adversary, Satan, and his strategies. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians:2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Although we're not to major on the deceptions of the devil, we nevertheless must be aware of them.

On the other hand, we look to God and His strategy for us: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians:6:11-13)

Sounds like a war briefing to me! Satan (which means "adversary") and his troops seem to be the opponents here. And we are not to be ignorant of his devices, or his "wiles." "Wiles" is translated from the Greek word metho daa a, meaning his methods, e.g., cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery. These are all part of his methods—the strategies that the "father of lies" has crafted in the war against God for our hearts.

Satan's master strategy is the same that he has used from the very beginning on humanity, and he has certainly expanded on it throughout the ages: "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis:3:1)

First of all, some people have trouble with a talking serpent. They can't take that as a literal statement, probably because they've never seen a serpent talk or communicate with a person. However, since none of us were there, we can't know for sure whether or not communication with animals was a normal condition before the fall of mankind into sin. The Bible doesn't tell us.

Nevertheless, for those who continue protesting that such a thing is absurd, I wonder why don't they protest against our government and try to get some of their tax money back from the multimillions of dollars the U.S. has spent on research trying to communicate with animals such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and dolphins, or at least curb their "conversations" with their own pets.

If a person claims to be a believer but has trouble believing that Satan literally spoke through a serpent and needs some further assurance, here are a couple of verses: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians:11:3)

Furthermore, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter:2:16)But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbade the madness of the prophet., confirms another incident in Scripture in which an animal, this time a donkey, literally spoke "with a man's voice and forbade the madness of the prophet" Balaam.

For those who consider the Genesis account of the serpent a myth of Judaism and Christianity, even a cursory search of the pagan religions of the world will reveal an amazing emphasis on serpent worship. India has the hooded cobra of Hinduism; Scandinavia has the Midgard Serpent; the Greeks have the god Python; the Egyptians have Uraeus; the Aztecs have their savior-god Quetzalcoatl, the plumed Serpent; Haitians worship the Great Serpent; American Hopi Indians perform the ceremony of the snake dance, and there are multitudes of others. Even the medical profession has paid homage to Aesculapius, the Greek god who is said to have received a healing herb from the mouth of a serpent. The original Hippocratic oath taken when doctors received their M.D. degrees began, "I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses...."

In all of the pagan religions above and many more, the very lies that the serpent fed to Eve are accepted as truth. The serpent for them is the symbol of perennial wisdom and eternal life—the good guy. This focus on the serpent by many cultures separated by time and distance—cultures that never had contact with one another yet who worship the serpent—is an amazing worldwide development stemming from something that supposedly never happened! But for those who believe the Bible, it's certainly consistent for one who is called "the god of this world," "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (2 Corinthians:4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Revelation:12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Serpent worship, however, is neither Satan's ultimate goal nor his master strategy for deceiving the world. He is intent upon destroying the communication between God and His created beings. That strategy began by introducing doubt in the mind of Eve: "And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said...?" God gave a command to Adam. It was an absolute. He told him that he could eat of any tree of the Garden except one—and if he ate of that one, he would die. It was a test of obedience to see if he and Eve loved God. Jesus said in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, that if a man loves Him (Jesus), he will do what He says. The consequence of disobeying God's absolute command was death—physical death and separation from God forever.

Separation from God forever is Satan's end, and he is bent on taking mankind down with him. His strategy for accomplishing this is clear in Genesis:3:1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
He is dialoging with Eve for the purpose of breaking down her commitment to what God commanded: "Yea, hath God said?" To begin with, it was a subtle interrogation, probably not unlike the rationalization that goes on in our own minds from time to time, especially if our flesh isn't thrilled with what God's Word says. Eve was given something to think about, wrapped up, of course, in a very seductive sales package and delivered with a smooth pitch by Satan: getting her to think that God was withholding that particular fruit from her, causing her to wonder if there might be something special about it, or in it--something that would improve her situation, or even give her god-like powers.

That's the strategy of the Adversary's dialogue. But one doesn't dialogue about absolutes. When that happens, something is either being added to or subtracted from the absolute. And that addition or subtraction, whether from Satan or from man, is a "way" (a solution, a path) that may seem appealing, even right, but that will inevitably lead to destruction (Proverbs:14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The strategy is designed for disrupting God's communication—for undermining the authority of God's Word. In verses 2 and 3 of Genesis 3, we see by Eve's response that she seems to have added something to God's command: "neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." This wasn't part of the command that God gave to Adam. Although her addition seems to strengthen what God said, it still misrepresents what God actually commanded. You see, when we get into a dialogue over something that we believe to be absolute truth, an adversary's goal is simply to get us to move from our position--in any direction. That effectively negates its absolute characteristic or quality. Once we've moved away from our steadfast position, the slide begins that ultimately ends in destruction.

This tactic, which began in the Garden of Eden, has been used throughout history to get people to change their views—particularly fixed views. It was used effectively by Marxists to convert millions to communism, and it is used extensively today in the socialization process of our government, corporations, and educational system. Its aim is to tear down absolutes, dogmas, fixed ideas, traditional views, individualism, and religious beliefs. It's a technique of getting people to conform to what the majority says is best and is directed at "nonconformists" such as...well, biblical Christians would fit that definition.

The Berean Call
It is imperative that everyone who follows Jesus C... (show quote)

=================
You wage that war against the Catholics. WE defend our faith. Catholics don't judge but love all people, as Jesus wants us to do.

And finally Jesus decides who will win the war. Not you Protestants. God is the final JUDGE. Don't take over God's power and become the Judge. You are not the Judge. God is.

Catholics follow and believe that God is our Judge. WE consistently follow and obey Christ according to our faith given to us since 2000 years ago. Our Gospel is about love and obedience to God.

Catholics don't judge you. Judgement is under the power of God.

Reply
 
 
Jan 27, 2019 12:18:50   #
Radiance3
 
==================
God decides who wins the war. WE Catholics have that full faith in Him. God is the JUDGE. No one else.
Following are decisions what God makes for us. No human being like Protestants have the right to judge another human being. That is the work of God. YOU PROTESTANTS ARE NOT THE JUDGE.

WE have our full faith in the Catholic Church follow and obey God as God guides as through.
Judgement is not for human to make. It is of God's. E.g. follows.

Romans 2:1-3God’s Righteous Judgment
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Matthew 7:1-5
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your

‎Matthew 7:1-5 · ‎Luke 6:37-42 · ‎James 4:11-12 · ‎Romans 2:1-3
What Does the Bible Say About Judging Others?

Reply
Jan 27, 2019 14:47:23   #
Radiance3
 
PART 2.
This is a continuation of the faith of Catholics who fully rely on God's judgement and power.

Additional call of Catholic faith that fully depends on the wisdom of God to judge on us humans.

How to Share Our Call to the Transcendent in a Materialist Culture

by Fr. Robert Spitzer | Jun 5, 2018 | Latest, Soul, Transcendental Desires, Virtue & Freedom
How to Share Our Call to the Transcendent in a Materialist Culture

The call to transform the culture is ever alive and new. As part of our calling to the transcendent (more than just the material world) we must share it. We must unleash the culture from the slavery of putting what the world offers on a pedestal. We were made for more and the negativity in our materialist culture is evident of this. This loss of transcendence in our culture has four main negative consequences.
1. It causes us to underestimate and depreciate our nature, dignity, destiny, and meaning in life.
2. It takes away an important source of healing and consolation for those who are suffering and sick.
3. It causes alienation from reality, others, and ourselves, negatively impacting suicide rates, familial relations, substance use, and sense of fulfillment and hope.
4. It leads to a decline in ethical motivation within individuals and ethical conduct within the culture.

If we do not try to help our culture overcome this self-limiting, self-depreciation, and self-destructive belief in “mere materialism”, we condemn ourselves to be part of it. The culture’s very negativity demands that those not controlled by it need to do something to change it.

What can we do?

We begin by being “Socratic gadflies” – irritants who unveil the truth, mystery, and transcendence of every person – by pointing to little clues, like cosmic emptiness, alienation, loneliness, and guilt. We can show how these feelings reveal an incipient awareness of “something missing” in life, something profoundly unfulfilled, undiscovered, and unlived.

Since these feelings are only indications that something is missing in our lives, we will want to go further and reveal what is missing. Some people will intuitively know that cosmic emptiness, alienation, and loneliness is a yearning for a supreme transcendent reality and move toward faith. These individuals will probably not require much intellectual support, because they have a strong sense of their own transcendence, the presence of a higher transcendent reality, and the transcendent mystery of others. These individuals feel the presence of the spiritual and sacred, have an affinity for religious belief and have a proclivity toward prayer.

Materialist Assumptions

Others, particularly in Western Europe and other parts of the world influenced by materialist assumptions, do not have this strong intuition of transcendence and the sacred. Their presumption that the physical world is the “really real” makes transcendence seem vague at best – and probably mere fantasy. A large percentage of these individuals do this without examining, let alone challenging, their materialistic assumptions. This is astonishing, because if we really are transcendent beings, and there really is a transcendent reality calling us to an eternity of unconditional truth, love, goodness, beauty and being, then this group will have literally abandoned their ultimate meaning, dignity, and destiny without a single reflective thought!

We owe it to these individuals – as much as they owe it to themselves – to provide extensive evidence and deep insight into the possibility of and plausibility of their transcendent nature and destiny. Failure to do so would amount to being a guilty bystander who watches a person harm himself without attempting to intervene.

Evidence for the Transcendent

A good place to start is with evidence for the transcendent. If we can enable the culture to first grasp with the mind the reality of God, then quite typically faith will follow. To begin, read Fr. Spitzer’s post, The Human Desire for God (Indication of the Interior Sense of God), which clearly outlines eight different indications of the reality of a superior transcendent reality. For a more in depth look on our desire for the transcendent read Fr. Spitzer’s book– The Soul’s Upward Yearning.

*This post is an excerpt from the introduction of Fr. Spitzer’s book, The Soul’s Upward Yearning.

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Jan 27, 2019 16:11:39   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
In the 2nd chapter of Jesus Christ's Revelation to the Apostle John, He spoke of the war He would wage:

"To the Church in Thyatira

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.

23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,

25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations —

27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ — just as I have received authority from my Father.

28 I will also give that one the morning star.

29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

(Revelation 2:18-29)



Radiance3 wrote:
=================
You wage that war against the Catholics. WE defend our faith. Catholics don't judge but love all people, as Jesus wants us to do.

And finally Jesus decides who will win the war. Not you Protestants. God is the final JUDGE. Don't take over God's power and become the Judge. You are not the Judge. God is.

Catholics follow and believe that God is our Judge. WE consistently follow and obey Christ according to our faith given to us since 2000 years ago. Our Gospel is about love and obedience to God.

Catholics don't judge you. Judgement is under the power of God.
================= br You wage that war against the... (show quote)

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Jan 27, 2019 16:22:54   #
Rose42
 
I will have to go over that in more detail later. I know little about Calvin or his theology.

I did not word that correctly it looks like. I don't think of it a a pre selection but that he already knows. How could he not? In that sense we are predestined. Does that make sense?

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