Dean writes: Bill for some reason I think you know what I am saying to be the truth . . .
Dean, with all respect, you are not in a position to make such a determination, as you have not examined the argument from my perspective. Yours is a different paradigm altogether, one which functions from within the Calvinist-v-Arminian tradition. The thing you do not realize is that your position is only relevant from within that debate. Arminianism is a notable response to Calvinism, yes; but, at its core, it operates on the same set of assumptions, merely playing the role of antagonist. But what if the assumptions of Calvinism are wrong? What if they are off base? What if they do a disservice to the God of Scripture? Quite frankly, you will never know it, because yours are the same presuppositions as those of Calvinism -- unless, that is, you open yourself to a new set of presuppositions. I have been fortunate to examine those tired assumptions and, with the help of some wonderful teachers, have found them wholly inadequate to address the "who" of
Jesus Christ. Hence, as I told you before, I am uninterested in this debate, 'cause I've already been there, my friend, and done that.
Bill
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cd: Respectfully Bill-From my perspective you stated that I was lucky you didn't join the debate until now-then when I respond you give a tragic event story of your father and yell at me -Then send some passages to offer support which were altered by you (v.20)-to which you still haven't explained.Then you state I have had this discussion before so I will not do so now but I was right before so one should take my word for truth now. Now your students get nasty with me. This is sounding strange to me. By the way the heck with Cal-Armin. views-what does the Bible say on this subject?
Rev 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Ask yourself this :
1 What was heard?
2 What does hold mean?What are we to hold fast to-and how does one not hold fast?
3. What does repent mean? And repent of what?
4. Why would Christ warn about coming as a thief? Does he make this "thief" claim elsewhere in the Bible to tie thought together?
