The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Gods Character??

Joe,

So, from what you wrote above, can I assume that you do not embrace the historic Protestant (Calvinist) doctrine of "Total Depravity"? I'm afraid that is what I must conclude since the biblical doctrine categorically states that the unregenerate do not, cannot seek God, cannot come to Christ, have not faith, cannot please God, are at enmity with God, the thoughts and intentions of their heart is evil continually, etc., etc.... Therefore, those spoken of in Matt 7 were NOT "doing what the Lord has wanted". They practiced self-determined, self-willed idolatry being self-deceived into believing that they were under God's favor and doing His will. Secondly, from God's side, the Lord Christ clearly says He didn't know (love) them. And this is clearly taught in myriad places also, that Christ "loved His own" and none other for they were loved of God from eternity, i.e., predestinated and elected to be saved in Christ.

Now, you are certainly under no obligation to subscribe to any historic document and its teachings, e.g., the WCF, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Savoy Declaration, Baptist London Confession, et al which all agree on but a few non-essentials. But unless you can show conclusively that ALL of these men who penned those documents from all the different denominations were wrong, you aren't going to succeed in convincing many, certainly not me, that your view is correct. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And just one last comment about Paul &co. being "prevented" from preaching, etc. Why it is you can't seem to grasp what was going on there or how God works in His providence I'm not going to even guess. But to most of us the meaning is clear enough. That group had determined to go into those areas to preach the Gospel. But God had other plans for them and thus prevented them from being able to carry out "their plans". (Prov. 16:9) What is true is that all those involved freely chose to carry out their plan. And, equally so, when they were not able to do so, they freely chose to go elsewhere as the Lord directed them, either by circumstances created; secondary causes, or by "intuition"; promptings, etc. But in either case, their ABILITY to choose what was most important and/or desirous was not "forced" upon them so that they were "compelled" to do what their wills did not want to do. You might decide today to go to a particular store to buy a needed item by a chosen and well-known route. But as you are on your way you come upon a road block setup by a construction crew. Thus you would be "forced" to change the route to the store. You would not be "forced" to apply the brakes nor turn your car around. You simply had to change plans. Okay, you finally arrive at the store and the item you were wanting to buy was out of stock. Thus you would not be able to fulfill your desire there. So, in one sense you would be "forced" to either choose to not pursue getting the item any further or to go to another store. But you would NOT be "complelled" to take an alternatie item off the shelf which you did not want to buy. You would be "free" to change your mind, however, and choose another product when you realized the one you wanted was not available. Get it? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,