the Purpose of Parables and the doctrine of ET

[Aleax]

[deleted some stupid stuff]

[thinktank]

random thought of the day...

Mark 4:10   And when he was alone, those about him, with the twelve, did ask him of the simile,

Mark 4:11   and he said to them, `To you it hath been given to know the secret of the reign of God, but to those who are without, in similes are all the things done;

Mark 4:12   that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.`

Jesus spoke in parables so that the multitudes couldn't understand and convert.

In my opinion, this doesn't quite sit well with traditional "salvation by will power" Arminian theology, according to which Hell is endless and Jesus doesn't want anyone to go there. If He wants to save as many as possible, why not be plainly clear?

So... Jesus is either Calvinist or UR.

There are better arguments one can make, because these scriptures can be explained.

Firstly it is Gods will that all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, whether it is now or in a future age, the door to God is wide open for all.

Now is come salvation for both jew and gentile

Secondly

Mark 4:12   that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest they may turn, and the sins may be forgiven them.`

If you read it it can mean and I believe it means this in order to be consistent with scripture that those who see, seeing with their eyes ( e.g the pharisses) and not perceive (They are spiritually blind to the truths of God) and hearing they may hear and not understand,(again they hear the words of truth but don't understand it) because if they did, they would turn away from their sins and be forgiven.

Throughout the gospels the Jewish leaders sent out spies to trick Jesus , so that they may have a reason to condemn him. Notice they often ask him art thou the son of God? Jesus rarely gives a direct answer, for his answer are for those who are able to spiritually hear his words, so he says things like, I with the finger of God cast out devils. Statements like these do not register with the spiritually blind and it is not enough evidence to condemn him. Notice in the end they eventually find him speaking his true nature in a direct manner, then they go ballistic and rent their garments, for now they have something to condemn him with.


Jesus spoke in parables so that the multitudes couldn't understand and convert.

I disagree, because the multitudes were ready to repent, they followed him from all over judea. He spoke in parables to stop the rulers condeming him
and it is easier to hear a nice story about mr x, than to accused directly.
Also parable are interesting, because stories are.
..........Many more reasons.....

In my opinion, this doesn't quite sit well with traditional "salvation by will power" Arminian theology, according to which Hell is endless and Jesus doesn't want anyone to go there. If He wants to save as many as possible, why not be plainly clear?

Et is definitly not clear, we have darkness, then we have flames and somehow worms within the flames, that burn spirit beings and demons who God hates, gives them a horrible punishment by sending them to torment man, but somehow the spiritual flames do not burn the spiritual demons.

Isaiah 57:16   
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.