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I think it is true in a significant sense but not in another. God is complete fullness, lacking nothing, in need of nothing, and the source of all that has being. God's will cannot be thwarted in such a way that God needs our help to bring about what God intends. Is God helpless without...

Thank you for asking. I just presented an exposition of 1 Cor. 15:20-28. I'm good for now. Maybe tomorrow I'll give an exposition of John 17:1-2.

There's no need to apologize. I understood what you explained. We disagree, which is fine.

I read it with you and it still says all in Adam and all in Christ. How is this the one time a "plain meaning" is no longer so plain? It is clearly talking about death, not spiritual death. You're superimposing your doctrine on the text. Follow his argument. Just as death came through a human...

Okay, not to be contentious but to make an observation, that looks like the Arminian position.

I think that's a possibility. How do you understand the divine will, power, and love in relation to the salvation of humanity that would be distinct from those three possibilities?

But he is not calling God a tyrant nor does he believe God is one. He is saying a particular conception of God (ECT) makes God a tyrant. Sure they would if a particular conception is not fitting to honor God. To use your example, if someone called your friend a racist and you understood your...

Thank you. Was my post too harsh? It wasn't intended to be, but it's hard to communicate my gentle disposition over the internet. If it was, then my sincere apologies are offered @Wrangler.

How is that a hate filled response when you immediately confirm it is an exact reflection of your position? He spoke the truth and you agreed. ECT turns the love of God into hate for love always seeks the good of the beloved. There is no good telos/end for the subjects of eternal conscious...

Yeah, it does, unfortunately. :(

The scriptures are the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ. So long as they are coupled with the witness of the Holy Spirit, they are sufficient for the purpose of bringing us to faith in the eternal Word of God, Jesus Christ. They need not be perfect or without error to serve their...

This is an odd question. Divine justice and divine mercy are not two seperate things. As Origen put it, "He confers benefits justly, and punishes with kindness; since neither goodness without justice, nor justice without goodness, can display the dignity of the divine nature" (De Principiis...

I think this is a helpful point. Sin is a power we are under from which we cannot be freed short of grace. And even then, we still can struggle. For my own part, I do not believe someone who is gay can simply choose to not be gay. It would be like me choosing to not be heterosexual. That's...

I think the compelling power of the threat of eternal damnation was too tempting for the empire enabled church to pass up. Prior to the church's gaining political power (Constantine/Justinian), UR was common among many (pace Augustine), including significant figures, but it was jettisoned in...

Another interesting observation is that both the Calvinist and the Arminian believe they are faithfully interpreting scripture, and yet their respective positions are incompatible with each other. Obviously the UR proponent believes they are also interpreting scripture faithfully. So the common...

Universal Restoration includes major premises of Calvinism and Arminianism, while avoiding their flaws. This breakdown is based on a sermon by Elhanan Winchester as found in A Larger Hope? by Robin Parry and Ilaria Ramelli (pg. 119) 1. God loves all Calvinism- No Arminianism- Yes UR- Yes 2...

Is that Brene Brown? She is one smart cookie; lots of helpful insights.

Okay, if you didn't recognize the numerous passages I used in my initial response to you, then you don't know the scriptures. Go back and read post #163. This will be my last response. I appreciate your attempt at fruitful dialogue. Maybe we can revisit the subject one day. Be well and may the...

The gates to the heavenly city are never closed. Look, this "the Scriptures plainly" state anything is nonsense. Christians all over disagree over what is "plainly " stated. In the early church, there were many, according to Augustine, who rejected eternal torment, and they were reading the same...

*yawn* No one would willing choose eternal torment. Come on, you have to do better than that if you hope to convince anyone your position makes sense.