SR IV: This is the end, my only friend, the end.

Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: Ah. I guess I might be the same way. Right now I'm reading a heavy book. Theological book. Such a heavy read. Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion. And what, may I ask, is your opinion of five-point Calvinism?

I agree with it. Calvinism ftw!

progismylife wrote: Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: Ah. I guess I might be the same way. Right now I'm reading a heavy book. Theological book. Such a heavy read. Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion. And what, may I ask, is your opinion of five-point Calvinism? I agree with it. Calvinism ftw!

Interesting...I used to.

But my disagreements are small in the larger context of Calvinism.

progismylife wrote: Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: Ah. I guess I might be the same way. Right now I'm reading a heavy book. Theological book. Such a heavy read. Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion. And what, may I ask, is your opinion of five-point Calvinism? I agree with it. Calvinism ftw! Interesting...I used to. But my disagreements are small in the larger context of Calvinism. What were your disagreements? I agree with it from what I've read about it, thought I would read the thing itself to get a better picture.

I used to vehemently defend Limited Atonement...but several scriptures over the years just made no sense in that structure.

Most notably 1 John 2:2-

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

I used to say that "whole world" could mean from all nations and cultures, but in light of some other passages (like parable of the treasure in the field or the pearl), I have to say that when Jesus died, he purchased the whole world (not just people, mind you- the whole cosmos that was in rebellion against God).  It doesn't mean all will be saved, but it does mean people will not be judged for theirs sins, but for rejecting Christ.

Took me a long time to come to that.  But as for total depravity, God's choosing who will be His, and that no Christian can lose his salvation, I'm down with all that.

Epignosis wrote: progismylife wrote: Epignosis wrote: I hate "short stories" that aren't stories. Explain, please. I like literature, sure- but don't give me a vignette full of flowery prose that doesn't tell a story.  Those suck.

I hope that's not one of my short stories you're referring to?

Limited Atonement essentially mean Jesus died only for those who will be saved.  I would say that's not the case.  Recall in Genesis chapter 3, after Adam sinned, God put a curse on the world (the earth itself).  Adam was from the earth (God made him from the dust of the earth).

When Jesus died and rose again, he was claiming the deed to the world itself (and therefore all of Adam's sons and daugthers- humanity).

That doesn't mean, however, that all will have eternal life (another discussion I guess).

Epignosis wrote: Limited Atonement essentially mean Jesus died only for those who will be saved.  I would say that's not the case.  Recall in Genesis chapter 3, after Adam sinned, God put a curse on the world (the earth itself).  Adam was from the earth (God made him from the dust of the earth). When Jesus died and rose again, he was claiming the deed to the world itself (and therefore all of Adam's sons and daugthers- humanity). That doesn't mean, however, that all will have eternal life (another discussion I guess).

If you could PM me the verses you looked at (you said verses and picked 1 John 2:2 as an example) I'll look at what Calvin said about them. My friend owns a set of Calvin's commentaries on the Bible.

Good night Ben.

Rob, I don't suppose you found time to check out what I sent you last year?

No rush.  Just reminding you.

Cool.  I know how you feel.  I'm in a non-writing mode at the moment.  I have a few new ideas but just cannot seem to even put them down on paper (or screen).

I have started reading again though.  Not manically but it's a start.  I go in phases.  Plus I've seen a few books I want.

I'm a slow reader.

I usually take a year or two to read a book, but I read about a dozen different ones at a time.