Re: Heaven & Hell Vs Annihilation
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:46 pm
That hurt. =)CuriousBob wrote:No!
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"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)
https://discussions.godandscience.org/
That hurt. =)CuriousBob wrote:No!
Only a guess!CuriousBob wrote:No! and No again! I just did a hurried google search and came accross the article at the link I gave you. After a quick glance, I thought it would be suitable for my purpose. Until you mentioned it in this context, I wasn't aware that there might be a connection between it, SA, and Ellen G. White. I still don't think it would matter though, because I think it still does justice to my way of thinking in that his human enemies could not resist the human logic that stephen used to refute them (the same human logic that relied upon the same human standards of irresistable logic that both Stephen and his enemies relied upon to support or refute any given position involving human logic, any logic, or anything that involves logic and the common rules that all fairminded humans appeal to in their disputes on every subject that requires logic).I see from your link that you maybe SA and read Ellen G. White's stuff? is that correct?
It most certainly does not appear that way to me. Rather, the Scripture gives me the unmistakable impression that there was absolutely nothing irresistable about the choice that Stephen's opponents made in rejecting (i.e., not accepting) his message. I think the real reason they rejected it was, more or less, because they didn't like it; I think it was because the people who rejected his message were too full of pride to allow one whom they considered to have an inferior knowledge of Jewish history and doctrine to silence them, with great ease and peacefully, whenever they presented him with logical arguments they were sure would prove him wrong; or I think it was because Stepehen made those who ended up rejecting his message and stoning him to death feel extremely stupid when he made it obvious to them that their logic was seriously flawed when exposed by the light of his faultless or irresistable logic. I don't believe for a moment as you have suggested: namely, that it was because they couldn't help themselves that they rejected Stephen's.Problem, Stephen was stoned to death so the logic was irresistably rejected - not accepted by all.
My character is such that it does not allow me to think of, let alone carry out, any act of violence against anyone who is merely attempting to give me a message, whether I like that message or hate it. After all, in my normal state o mind, I cannot bring myself to harm anyone who has done nothing to harm me.Here is a question for you: If Stephen was alive today, would you be casting stones? or accepting the message?
I can see why the new birth could never take place without a miracle. I can see how God must open the eyes of the spiritually dead before they will be able to discern the things of the Spirit of God, becase the natural man (i.e., the spiritual corpse that is dead in trespasses and sins) can never recognize, much less, accept spiritual gifts until a miracle happens and God makes it "dead unto trespasses and sins" and "alive unto God". But the natural (spiritually dead) men who opposed Stephen saw the irresistable nature of his spirit and heard his irresistable logic and knew that they could not resist it without resorting to the logic of dangerous criminals. So, their eyes and ears were opened and without a miracle.That is why it is by God's revelation enlightening the eyes to see and the ears to hear that is important. From this, one irresistably accepts or reject the message.
You have contradicted yourself when you stated “the real reason they rejected it…” They rejected it. Read Acts 8:1. These people irresistibly rejected the message as bore out by the great persecution the early Church went through right after this event. These people did not feel stupid and guilty in the least as you claim — they went on a holy crusade to rid their world of who they deemed as blasphemers. They rejected the Holy Spirit cutting of their heart (Acts 7:51, 54) irresistibly — then went after the Church. No evidence of remorse or feeling extremely stupid for what they done at all is mentioned in the bible.CuriousBob wrote:It most certainly does not appear that way to me. Rather, the Scripture gives me the unmistakable impression that there was absolutely nothing irresistable about the choice that Stephen's opponents made in rejecting (i.e., not accepting) his message. I think the real reason they rejected it was, more or less, because they didn't like it; I think it was because the people who rejected his message were too full of pride to allow one whom they considered to have an inferior knowledge of Jewish history and doctrine to silence them, with great ease and peacefully, whenever they presented him with logical arguments they were sure would prove him wrong; or I think it was because Stepehen made those who ended up rejecting his message and stoning him to death feel extremely stupid when he made it obvious to them that their logic was seriously flawed when exposed by the light of his faultless or irresistible logic. I don't believe for a moment as you have suggested: namely, that it was because they couldn't help themselves that they rejected Stephen's.......You have failed to give me a good reason for believing that the urge to reject Stepehen's message was irresistible.Problem, Stephen was stoned to death so the logic was irresistibly rejected - not accepted by all.
In fact, God violates human free will everyday with the message of salvation and this message causes us to either irresistibly accept it or reject it. He has too, for we are sinners who want nothing to do with God and need waking up. He has too violate our free will with a choice so that we can either irresistibly accept or irresistibly reject his offer. This way he has mercy on who he wills and whom he wills he hardens. His ways are Justice and He remains without iniquity.CuriousBob wrote:..."Irresistibly accepts or rejects"?
I thought the Holy Spirit was more like a gentleman than a tyrant in that He never forces Himself or God's will on anyone or in that He never forces anyone to reject Him or God's will. But, if you are right, rather if I am understanding you correctly, then He does force Himself or God's will on us because we can't resist accepting or rejecting what He wills for us.
Hi Lyle,Lyle wrote:jlay can i talk to you about something i dont know how to mail people if you dont mind giving your email mine is lrtlrt3@gmail.com please mail me and i will reply