When the whole Bible is considered with the reverence due to it, we often encounter apparent discrepencies of understanding. Clearly, if "God is true and every man a liar", the problem is with the receiving end- us. From this has come major systems of theology- Calvinism, Arminianism and Universalism. Next has evolved various approaches to interpretation- literalism, mysticism, gnosticism. Because the Bible seems to contain "proof texts" for all positions, I have to wonder if there is any way to become settled on this "more sure word of prophecy"- the Bible, by allowing all things to be wholly true, without contradiction. Some examples:
Calvinism suggests "limited atonement" because of words like "the elect" and "predestined"
Arminianism suggests "free-will" because of scriptures like "whosoever will may come"
Universalism suggests all will be saved because of scriptures like "as in Adam all have died, so in Christ shall all be made alive"
What if we were to adopt a position that says all of these positions are true? For Calvinism, we could talk about "the Elect of this age", and ultimately "I will draw all men to myself"; for Arminianism, it would be "whosoever will, and eventually everyone will", and for Universalism, it's right to say "Christ, Saviour of all men, especially those who believe- the Elect of this age".
For me, it's no stretch to see that all of these "clashing" systems of theology can be harmonized. Any thoughts?
That was awesome!! I really liked that. Makes Perfect sense. I can't refute your sound logic. Good Job. God be with you :thumbsup:
Even though I think the bible is a magical book I still feel the lord could have done a much better job with it.
For one the disciples didn't ask him many questions, this annoys me. If I were them I would have asked a zillion questions.
I think the thousands of different viewpoints on the bible, is a question mark, that the lord could have done better.
Take an example If joe bloggs wrote the bible he would have said
I'll write the Tentmaker view here for example
Right basically what happens when you die is you float of to some place in heaven but if you didn't receive Christ you go to a place in hades awaiting judgment in future by God.
So instead of all this nonsense of I am the God of the living and all these statements made by the lord, why not state the obvious and put us out of our misery, that way we would no longer have all these denominations arguing and wasting energy over doctrines, when we could all be one big church with one message and going out to save the lost in one movement.
Hope this don't offend anyone but this has been on my mind since I was a Christian.
Quote from: thinktank on August 12, 2010, 12:37:26 AM
Even though I think the bible is a magical book I still feel the lord could have done a much better job with it.
For one the disciples didn't ask him many questions, this annoys me. If I were them I would have asked a zillion questions.
Maybe it's because "we" make simple things complex.
Jesus: Verily, verily, I say to you; all mankind will be in heaven with me.
Crowd: Yiphee that's us too!
Scholars:
So that excludes woman and childeren. Gentiles where considered beasts so they got excluded too.
Jesus was a man and didn't need to be saved. So all is not all.
And considering the correlation of the Exodus' and Daniel's structure.... :blahgreen: :blah: :blahgreen: :blah: :doh:
Jesus was speaking to people that couldn't even read. Not to a country full of upgraded Einsteins!
Scripture interprets scripture. Sound exegeses. All cool concepts but often back fires I think(tank)....
:2c:
You do realize that "whosover" is All and it is not just whosoever as today understands it. Correct?
Yes the Bible is all true, but Jesus said
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, are are life.
If it is not revealed in the Spirit, then yes there is a mammoth amount of theory and theology that the imaginations of men can contrive and call into the action by way of mans thinking, and x out LOVE.
I, myself find Calvinism to be a religion of vendetta and very close to hate.
Just my :2c: again
edit: never mind, I was very tired and made a lame joke. :mblush:
Quote from: coldwar on August 11, 2010, 09:05:53 PM
When the whole Bible is considered with the reverence due to it, we often encounter apparent discrepencies of understanding. Clearly, if "God is true and every man a liar", the problem is with the receiving end- us. From this has come major systems of theology- Calvinism, Arminianism and Universalism. Next has evolved various approaches to interpretation- literalism, mysticism, gnosticism. Because the Bible seems to contain "proof texts" for all positions, I have to wonder if there is any way to become settled on this "more sure word of prophecy"- the Bible, by allowing all things to be wholly true, without contradiction. Some examples:
Calvinism suggests "limited atonement" because of words like "the elect" and "predestined"
Arminianism suggests "free-will" because of scriptures like "whosoever will may come"
Universalism suggests all will be saved because of scriptures like "as in Adam all have died, so in Christ shall all be made alive"
What if we were to adopt a position that says all of these positions are true? For Calvinism, we could talk about "the Elect of this age", and ultimately "I will draw all men to myself"; for Arminianism, it would be "whosoever will, and eventually everyone will", and for Universalism, it's right to say "Christ, Saviour of all men, especially those who believe- the Elect of this age".
For me, it's no stretch to see that all of these "clashing" systems of theology can be harmonized. Any thoughts?
bump
Arminianism: States all can try.
Calvinism: States a certain percentage succeeds.
UR: Shows that the percentage is 100.
Case closed! :pointlaugh:
Quote from: jabcat on August 12, 2010, 11:26:26 PM
Quote from: coldwar on August 11, 2010, 09:05:53 PM
When the whole Bible is considered with the reverence due to it, we often encounter apparent discrepencies of understanding. Clearly, if "God is true and every man a liar", the problem is with the receiving end- us. From this has come major systems of theology- Calvinism, Arminianism and Universalism. Next has evolved various approaches to interpretation- literalism, mysticism, gnosticism. Because the Bible seems to contain "proof texts" for all positions, I have to wonder if there is any way to become settled on this "more sure word of prophecy"- the Bible, by allowing all things to be wholly true, without contradiction. Some examples:
Calvinism suggests "limited atonement" because of words like "the elect" and "predestined"
Arminianism suggests "free-will" because of scriptures like "whosoever will may come"
Universalism suggests all will be saved because of scriptures like "as in Adam all have died, so in Christ shall all be made alive"
What if we were to adopt a position that says all of these positions are true? For Calvinism, we could talk about "the Elect of this age", and ultimately "I will draw all men to myself"; for Arminianism, it would be "whosoever will, and eventually everyone will", and for Universalism, it's right to say "Christ, Saviour of all men, especially those who believe- the Elect of this age".
For me, it's no stretch to see that all of these "clashing" systems of theology can be harmonized. Any thoughts?
bump
bump