Apokatastasis in the Bible

[St. SteVen]

I'm just repeating myself at this point, because you have a very selective memory.

Why would you assume that I would parrot whatever you said? As if you are the arbiter of truth.

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[hies]

Why would you assume that I would parrot whatever you said? As if you are the arbiter of truth.

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Lol I'm not the arbiter of truth but I do expect people to at least consider what I say and attempt to understand it.

 

[amadeus]

I don't believe this scripture is in reference to salvation and the afterlife, even though that is the common view. Consider this...

If the broad and narrow gate are about salvation and the afterlife, then we have to contend with the implications. "only a few find it." ??? !!!

If only a few find it, then God is making sport of our eternal destination with a game of hide and seek.

Why would you presume that God might be making sport of our eternal destination if things are not as you believe them to be?

Perhaps very simply only few find it because the vast majority are not seriously searching. They are not really interested in more than what they are able to have here and now on this planet Earth during the time they have here. This would include probably many who call themselves Christians.

Is not NOW the time for men to seek and to ask and to knock? How many have done this and are continuing to do this?
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[St. SteVen]

Why would you presume that God might be making sport of our eternal destination if things are not as you believe them to be?

It's my reaction to the view of that scripture. That the narrow gate is something that is nearly impossible to find. (few find it) which infers to me that many looked and were UNABLE to find it. The sport is solving the puzzle with your "eternal" destiny at risk. (in the standard interpretation)

Perhaps very simply only few find it because the vast majority are not seriously searching. They are not really interested in more than what they are able to have here and now on this planet Earth during the time they have here. This would include probably many who call themselves Christians.

Is not NOW the time for men to seek and to ask and to knock? How many have done this and are continuing to do this?

That's a good point. And it begs a HUGE question. If no one needs it, then does anyone need it? We have been told all of our lives that we need to be saved. Those who haven't been told that feel no need for it. What should we conclude? (I'm thinking out loud here)

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[hies]

It's my reaction to the view of that scripture. That the narrow gate is something that is nearly impossible to find. (few find it) which infers to me that many looked. The sport is solving the puzzle with your "eternal" destiny at risk. (in the standard interpretation)


That's a good point. And it begs a HUGE question. If no one needs it, then does anyone need it? We have been told all of our lives that we need to be saved. Those who haven't been told that feel no need for it. What should we conclude? (I'm thinking out loud here)

]

It's hard to find because they don't want to find it. Not because it's a puzzle.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8

I don't think you want to know the true God either. You're blinded by your inability to accept that some will spend an eternity away from God.

I'm just guessing here, so I'm sorry if I'm wrong, but maybe it's because you want to keep sinning? Have you repented? Do you take up your cross daily? Do we even agree on what sin is and what things God has condemned?

 

[hies]

That's a good point. And it begs a HUGE question. If no one needs it, then does anyone need it? We have been told all of our lives that we need to be saved. Those who haven't been told that feel no need for it. What should we conclude? (I'm thinking out loud here)

]

That their consciences are defiled and hearts hard to the truth?

 

[amadeus]

It's my reaction to the view of that scripture. That the narrow gate is something that is nearly impossible to find. (few find it) which infers to me that many looked and were UNABLE to find it. The sport is solving the puzzle with your "eternal" destiny at risk. (in the standard interpretation)

The standard interpretation does not matter at all if it does not agree with what God knows.

That's a good point. And it begs a HUGE question. If no one needs it, then does anyone need it? We have been told all of our lives that we need to be saved. Those who haven't been told that feel no need for it. What should we conclude? (I'm thinking out loud here)

Again you are arguing as if what men say or think must equal what God says or thinks. That is using man's logic as a means to draw your conclusions instead of faith in God.

Lu 18:8

...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

]

 

[St. SteVen]

The standard interpretation does not matter at all if it does not agree with what God knows.

Agree. That is why I am addressing the implications of the standard interpretation. "Few find it"? !!!
Is that how God operates?

Again you are arguing as if what men say or think must equal what God says or thinks. That is using man's logic as a means to draw your conclusions instead of faith in God.

Lu 18:8

...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Biblical interpretation is a human activity. Granted, it should be led by the Spirit, but I'm not sure how we can steer around our human thinking to engage with the scriptures.

You seem to be inferring that I am missing the point of this scripture entirely. What is your view?

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[St. SteVen]

New topic.

Plundering my religious upbringing - The desert island question

While composing a response post on another thread (obviously) it occurred to me the benefits I received from my religious upbringing. I spend plenty of time talking against it now, but only occasionally speak to the benefits. Others may have taken a similar path. Started in one place and...

www.christianityboard.com

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[amadeus]

Agree. That is why I am addressing the implications of the standard interpretation. "Few find it"? !!!
Is that how God operates?

How does God operate? Do you suppose that I know the answer to that question? Some on this forum from what I see seem to know His answer often or even always. Might they be wrong? Are we not supposed to live by faith rather than by knowledge? What do we know?

Biblical interpretation is a human activity. Granted, it should be led by the Spirit, but I'm not sure how we can steer around our human thinking to engage with the scriptures.

Perhaps, believing that "we can steer" is the problem. Perhaps continuous surrender to Him is the only Way. Who is able to do that? Can we ask God to help us surrender?

You seem to be inferring that I am missing the point of this scripture entirely. What is your view?

Ro 1:17

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.