Foreknowledge

This was a post in one of my classes where be have been reading the following authors:
Boethius, Augustine and Aquinas in reference to Free will and God's sovereignty seem to focus majorly upon How God foreknows all things and yet it does not imply necessity to mans will. Yet I wonder why they don't address Ephesians 1:4 "^4(H) even as he^(I) chose us in him^(J) before the foundation of the world, that we should be^(K) holy and blameless before him." The fact that God chose us. Any idea of choosing something in reality implies that Person A the Choosers has the power and Person B the chosen are without power.
To bring this argument even further Paul goes on to say that we are predestined in vs. 11 "¹¹In him we have obtained^(AA) an inheritance,^(AB) having been predestined^(AC) according to the purpose of him who works all things according to^(AD) the counsel of his will, ¹²so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be^(AE) to the praise of his glory." This seems to not only imply that God foreknows all things but that he is active in choosing us through Predestination.
Not only this passage but later in ch. 2:1 Paul says we were "dead in the trespasses and sins". How can a dead man bring himself back to life unless one who is powerful helps those who are powerless in choosing.

I have a disclaimer. I do see some of the logic in Boethius' arguments yet am still stuck with a desire to be obedient to the Scripture above all. Also I went to a dispensational school Word of life bible institute and was not reformed at all until I got to SWBTS 3 years ago and have been wrestling with these Scriptures.

Stumbling Block

I have been wondering about the Stumbling block which is mentioned in 1 Cor. 8.

In my past some people have used the weaker brother argument in a few ways:

A.) They have claimed that someone has done a neutral act to make the sin.
Ex. Person A takes Person B's laundry out because there are no more washers open. Then Person B gets very angry and says that Person A made them stumble.

B.) When someone has been a Christian for quiet some time but doesn't like younger Christians styles.
Ex. Older Christian calls the youth pastor and tells them that guitars being used in Worship is making them stumble.

The list could go on and on with examples and scenario's.

My first question is:
What is to be considered a legitimate Stumbling Block?

With that question I wanna ask. Can a older Christian have a legitimate stumbling block if they have read 1 cor. 8?

My Critique

This is my Critique of This article: http://www.slate.com/id/2285350#add-comment

*Please pardon the mistakes and ask for clarification if needed for I wrote this Critique and have not gotten any review of it yet.

Article Critique

The article that is in question brings into question the majority Republican ruled Congress’s first steps in office. Author David Weigel’s Thesis is that the Democratic party wishes to use the Republican majorities decision to Change the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act to no longer counting “rape” as federally funded for abortions but only counting “Forcible rape”. This decision by the Republican’s Wiegel says will be the primary focus for the Democrats to win favor.

Wiegel’s primary focus is on Democratic Rep. Steve Israel’s tactics to discredit the Republicans. Though Wiegel clearly presents his Thesis, which can’t really be argued with due to it’s explanatory nature, the really force of argument should and will in this Critique be place upon Rep. Israel’s, the Democratic GOP and Wegiel’s arguments against the Republican actions. Their approach is very clearly laid out in this arguments but their arguments fail when poked at with simple questions. Many things are presumed when they are making their defense that need be called into question when intelligent men and women are seeking the truth. The truth that I wish to bring out is the reality of their arguments and the truth that Christianity brings to the table.

In his first attempt to make an argument against the Republicans Weigel points out the fact that this step that they have made has “started the biggest backlash in the short, otherwise happy life of the new Republican House. “He then goes on the sight The Daily Show as proof of this backlash. This support doesn’t seem very weighty due to the fact that this show slants towards his view. Another reason this proof isn’t valid is due to the shows treatment of the issue that is very cynical one and doesn’t even reason out how the Republicans change might have been rational to save infants lives.

Throughout this article they continue to bash while only considering the issues core with a few quotes from Pro-Choice heads. They bash them by saying the changing of terms in a ”mess”, that the Republican’s have “dunked” themselves. And this might be a possibility for maybe they should’ve tried primarily to fix the economy. But the one difference in this whole argument is the Democratic view of life. For they see financial freedom above that of that of giving people more jobs. This is proved in the whole basis of the argument for if they saw “killing a unborn child” less important than money they would not attack with such fervor the Republican’s choice. Instead they focus, as Wiegel quotes at the end of the article, that a man “tends to vote with his pocketbook” and thus their tactic is to prosper man and lay waste all of his inconvenience regardless of the cost, even when it comes to a human life.

A Christian views each person even unborn as having value and worth. For we are all made in the image of God. Abortion advocates while claiming to love humans, only support those functioning humans, which is evidenced in the mothers’ choice to get an abortion. But this view is even faulty in view of the sheer facts that a fetus will one day be a functioning human and should be treated as thus. The Republicans in their adding of the word “Forcible rape” have only placed responsibility upon those who have put themselves in the situation to get raped. This for the Christian is good in a sense that people are force to be morally responsible and bad in the sense that we have still not eliminated the killing of the unborn.

While jobs are important and Republicans are flawed in many ways the human life is not to be killed for the greater good of the society. We must not misplace our values. With misplaced values we some slander of reality, for it was not by accident (as the Wiegel alludes to) that these leaders been placed into their office but it was by the vote of the people. While the strategy of the Congress is in question, I as a Christian must be honest that I don’t agree with their tactic 100% but can not say that they have sinned in proposing these changes. For by changing the “Rape” to “Forcible Rape” they have made a distinction between those who have willingly placed themselves into rape potential situation and those who did not. With this distinction will make many people gnash their teeth but it is a fact of reality that people place themselves in rape potential situations and thus should be held responsible.

Slandering and accusing without facing the issues is an improper handling of the issues at hand. For these issues must be faced head on and not given up to suit our comforts. As Christians we must be honest that the Republican Party isn’t perfect and should better tackle the economic Crisis at hand. But we can’t shy away from calling our love of materialism what it is. For the economy our country should not be placed as primary above human life.

Solution or Answer

Solutions

I would answer the question BOTH.

You may ask why?

Well here you go.

1.) Why are they condemned for their unbelief?

Answer: Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

2.) Why are they condemned foe their nature?

Answer: The second one is easy to explain because it’s the reason of the fall. Man fell because he sinned and thus sin separated him from God. God said that they would die which is restated in the book Romans “The wages of sin is death”. Thus for their rebellion man receives death and is condemned. Also why would we need the remedy of salvation if our sin didn’t condemn us?

Also an example in scripture is: Rev 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

So those who said one or the other could you defend your position from scripture?

The Question

As I ask this question please keep in mind a few things:
1.) Jesus is King, Sovereign God!!
2.) Don't let this question sway you from your pursuit of God because it does have an answer.

Is a person condemned to hell for their essence for who they are at the core of their being(dead in sin rebels against God) or for their unbelief in Jesus Christ as their savior and only way to heaven?

I Love Homosexuals Part 2: Can a Homosexual be a Christian?

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Please Read Part 1 First if you haven't already.

By giving the following answer I am attempting to combat the idea which says You can be a christian and still live however you want.
So I believe the answer is No, a Homosexual cannot be a Christian. But a Homosexual can become a Christian. The reason for this impossibility is shown in the identity of the person or what the person is identifying with. For when someone calls themselves a homosexual they are saying that their greatest joy is found in same sex relationships. They are placing their whole identity under the domain of that lifestyle. And in a biblical sense when someone was called a Christian of follower of Christ what they were saying was that their greatest joy was found in Jesus Christ. 

           So how could there be two greatest joys in one’s life? Or how could one really say that they are a follower of Christ and yet live a life not identified with Him? You can’t, It’s impossible. This is like saying "can an elephant be a mouse at the same time, or an apple an orange, or a light bulb a radio." It’s a matter of the identity of these objects as it is a matter of identity with a person. In this taking of Identity you are choosing to submit to that particular title in your life and thus it shapes the rest of your life.

The Christian life is to be about submission to God and in turn finding one identity with God. But in a Homosexuals life they are choosing to be wed to the identity of passions and love towards people of the same sex. This shapes their drives, motivations, thoughts, friends, hobbies, etc. And in comparison when a Christian takes on the identity of a follower of Christ he is to love God by obeying his commands, find rest in God and hope and pleasure, He is to love his neighbors who are made in the image of God.

But sadly to make a disclaimer not all Christians submit to this truth and even in my own life if I had to be totally honest I don’t always pursue God and submit to him and obey Him. But this is the idea of grace, that God draws us in and love us based off of the sacrifice of this son. God’s Grace or God giving us what we do not deserve in the sacrifice of his perfect sinless son Jesus for our sin is what draws us into a pursuit of Him. For we are not perfect but our God is and desires to draws us closer and change us to be more like Him.

But hear me out before you stone me. What I’m not saying is that a person who is a follower of Jesus doesn’t struggle with attractions to a person of the same sex. But if they were once a homosexual and now are a follower of Christ they will struggle with these desires. But ultimately their identity is not in submission to the lifestyle characterize by homosexuality but to be characterized by a lifestyle in the pursuit of God which leads to a love of Him and obedience to what He commands.

Some might ask: why is Homosexuality a sin and opposite of the bible?

1.) In Genesis God makes man & woman and all throughout scripture marriage is defined,as between by a man & a women.( Genesis 1, Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:6 Ephesians 5:22-33,6:2, Colossians 3:18-19) the two passages from Matthew and Mark are straight from Jesus’ mouth.

2.) Some would say well what if they don’t get married? Well then that is adultery and is condemned all throughout the scriptures. Even to lust after a women or person in your heart is sin.( Matthew 5, Matthew 19:9, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:19, James 2:11) Its also fornication and you can look it up in http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/ it will show you how it is condemned by God.

3.) God’s way is Marriage and sex inside of marriage. Anything else is sin and not his way. It will breed problems in your life and cannot be tolerated if you are to follow Jesus.

4.) Also Homosexuality is outright condemned in the bible. ( 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 timothy 1:10, Romans 1, Revelation 21)

Clearly God has set up sex to be only in marriage. This clears up any other arguments which would stem. And clearly He had shown us that to identify with Homosexuality is just like identifying with any other sin of Choice. They are equally sinful as shown in my past blog. One must Trust Christ to save him from the coming wrath due to our rebellion and sin and trust in His death on the cross to cover our sins and restore us back to God.

So will you identify with God or your sin? Will you choose Death or Life? Sin or God? God promises life thru him and loves us so much to come and die that we might have true life in Him and forgiveness or sins and a relationship with Him. This is what he promises, Life in Him and thru him, True joy not just temporary pleasures that fleet away, Forgiveness of Sin, And eternal life with Him who loves us.

Colossians 1: 20-23 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, ²⁰ and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. ²¹ And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled ²² in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— ²³ if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister”.

If you’re a person who struggles with Homosexuality there is help and ministries to give you more information: https://livehope.org/ , Can a Homosexual become a Christian? Yes: Find out how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFTX80TpZ_4

Intentional Lovers Of God

As Christian we are Children of the most high, The Bride of Christ, His Beloved, His Redeemed, Friends of God, Lovers of God, Rescued and so much more. God has came in the form of the man, Jesus, 2000 years ago, to live a sinless and perfect life in Obedience to God the Father, that he might die a humiliating death on the cross, from which wood he created and was spit upon by man whom he created and was holding together at that very moment. That on that cross he might take All of Our sin and shame and rise again on the third day to prove he had defeated Death and was the author of Salvation. That now we who trust in Him should not die but live forever more with Him!!

So we claim these things as truth. That God was the reconciler of the rebellious even when they didn’t was him.

Col 1:19-23 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

O what a Great God we have that even though we were Hostile towards Him he brought us into His home to be His Children! Have you ever had anyone blow up with hostility towards you? I know I have and I didn’t exactly overflow or even feel remotely love towards them. But if only I would seen it from Gods perspective that All are or were once hostile towards Him then my love would flow towards them. When I meditate on this what he has done for me I can help but share!

2Co 5:11-19 “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. “

My Point is that now since we have been reconciled to God He has given us this ministry. Every Christian is entrusted with this ministry! Meditate on what he has done. Do you truly believe it? If you do you will share is. Let the Love of God control you and compel you!!

God has been convicting me more and more about this. Thru not only witnessing but also restoring sinning brothers if you will read my note on Confrontation it will explain it more. See my generation makes fun of “track boomers” and people who stand out with signs, yet we do nothing ourselves. Who are to judge them if we aren’t doing anything ourselves? I do agree that just passing out tracks to get it out there is missing the point of the person and letting love compel us. But let’s look at Jesus:

1.) With the woman at the well he took time to talk and know where she was coming from, cross cultural barriers and dialogue with her. John 4

2.) He Spent time with “Sinners” eating and drink and sharing the truth. Imagine if we got this idea that Jesus had of not only talking with unbelievers but eating and building relationships with them. He also wasn’t afraid of his reputation because of the accusations of the Pharisees towards him. Jesus came for the sinner not the righteous. Matt. 11:19

3.) Also one of the keys of church leaders in the book of Titus was Hospitality which is inviting unbelievers into your house. Also in Romans 12:13, Hebrew 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9

4.) Jesus shows us continuously about his love and patience with all of the people around them. He told the truth even when it diminished the crowd. John 6:53

So my challenge to you is this Be Intentional in your witness and love of non-believers, find a group or talk with your group of fellow believers to keep each other accountable and spur each other on. This is something I need desperately more and I hope you will wrestle with it in your heart and pray and search the scriptures of how God can use you. We need to be compelled by His love and desire to reconcile others to the God he love and claim as Truth!! Let the Love of God Compel you to Him and him ministry of Reconciliation!!