Thanks for starting the tread. =P I'll start where we left off. Sorry for the misunderstanding in the other thread, Buffy. For the record, I just enjoy explaining my beliefs (not forcing them) because they are so rarely understood, it seems. =|
The two questions are very broad, and one can only hope to tackle spotted issues, instead of answering them
in toto. So, to start things off I'd like clarify the "free salvation" issue.
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Originally Posted by Buffy Quote: |
Originally Posted by Southtown Sinful behavior is never OK in Christianity. (Just because works can't save doesn't mean they can't condemn.) | But then its really not "free"! If sin has an impact, then you're required you to do/not do other things as a prerequisite... In fact, even avoiding sins--mortal or venial--living a selfish but unsinful life being good enough lets Scrooge in too, over and above the folks who have the wrong faith. Same point.... |
Salvation is a return to righteousness (a prerequisite for the new creation.
Revelation 21:27) Free salvation is worthless to people who don't want to be righteous. You can't dry off until you get out of the pool, so-to-speak. Not that people have to be perfect, it's a journey. Through humbly seeking God's way of life, we continually practice at being good. That's what is meant by
faith in God. We believe He's right, and that His will and His promises are sure. Works are the sign of sincerity, but they don't count directly. God weighs the heart (
1 Samuel 16:7,) and He knows who has genuine commitment regardless of deeds.
For clarity, I don't think a person surrenders their free will when they are saved. I think they can change their mind, and often many do when the religious life doesn't meet their expectations. Some will disagree with me claiming "eternal security," but I researched it, and I don't follow that line. (can o' worms?)
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Originally Posted by Buffy You've got a very limited definition of God here, and I actually believe that the God of the OT is not the same as the God of the NT and the gal in the Koran is different still, claims by interpreters of these works to the contrary notwithstanding the scrutiny of the very different worldviews these deities describe! And that's actually getting back on topic, because the Benevolent God of the NT is inconsistent with Yahweh, the wrathful and demanding God of the OT! |
You have a good point. On the surface OT Jehova can be quite different that NT Jehova. But at a deeper level, there's really no conflict. Wrathful Jehova hates evil, He just can't allow it to go unpunished anymore than a judge can wink at crooked corporations (and still consider himself just.) While loving Jehova cared so much for the world that He diverted His wrath for the sake of mankind by providing the sacrificial Christ. If Jehova didn't punish evil, He wouldn't be just, and if He just condemned all of humanity, He wouldn't be loving. But the crucifixion testifies to both qualities, simultaneously. And consistency is maintained.
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Originally Posted by Buffy If its not your "one God", then its gotta be either "no god" or a cow? Are you serious? |
I was just asking for an example of another god, other than object worship. Can you do it? =P
