JAG**

Thanks for your comments. And thanks for reading my Opening Post.

Here is the reason: So clearly these verses . . (A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" . . . . . .are NOT predictive of the future of the numerical size of the Christian Church.

This Opening Post is NOT to discuss any political issue. This Opening Post is ONLY to re-affirm the truth of: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.___2 Chronicles 7:14 _____________ I wrote this piece mainly for Christians, but non-Christians might find it interesting. Introductory Remarks: My entire family are Christians. We are all strong Conservatives. We are all Republicans. We have always voted for the Republican Party. We always will do that. We support Law and Order. Laws are necessary. Laws do reduce crime. Politics is necessary. Politics is merely what we do {policies , , , political policies} Nations do what they do, because they believe what they believe. There is no possible way to escape "the political process." Politics is here to stay until the end of time. Politics can temporarily solve some human problems. But politics can never solve the root problem, which is spiritual. A diseased ROOT will always produce "bad policies" fruit. Fix one political problem, and another will appear somewhere else. Diseased root. You must cure the "bad root" problem. to have good fruit. So? So there are better solutions to human problems than political solutions. These better solutions are spiritual solutions, Nonetheless , , , Many Christians seek political solutions to what they will admit are spiritual problems. They seek to "elect the right kind of men" to political office with the goal of fixing America's many moral, economic, and political problems. Read this next paragraph very carefully , , , They want the Christian moral code to become a reality through the political process. My view is this is utterly impossible to achieve. Here is my view of that in a nutshell: There is not a shred of Biblical evidence that teaches the way to fix a nation’s spiritual problems, is to elect “the right kinds of politicians" to public office. That is pure fantasy. The notion that: If we can "just somehow elect the right politicians", then we can legislate the Christian moral code into law” is pure fiction. This is never going to materialize and become a reality. Here are some of my reasons why: My view is that permanent change can not come through political laws and through the “political process." It is impossible to solve human problems apart from the supernatural power of God Almighty, and His Son the Lord Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. {1} You must first change hearts before you can change minds. {2} All human moral problems are at root spiritual problems. {3} Moral problems are what causes political and economic problems. {4} There are no lasting secular political solutions for spiritual problems. {5} But there are lasting spiritual solutions to spiritual problems. {6} Those solutions must start with this: {A} John 3:3 You must be born again. {B} John 3:16 You must accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior. {C} Galatians 5:22-23 You must allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life, which are: {a} love {b} joy {c} peace {d} patience {e} kindness {f} goodness {g} faithfulness {h} gentleness {i} self-control This changes the "root" of the problem. This changes the heart. Which then changes the mind. So that men now desire to do what is right without being "forced to do right" by the political process , , ,Laws , , Police with guns , , Jail Time , ,etc Anything not the above will fail to permanently solve the "political" problem You can “throw money” at it. You can “throw laws” at it. You will fail. If you DO solve the problem in one area, the same ROOT problem will pop-up in another area. We saw this principle being played out in the streets of America as rioting, looting, burning cars, burning buildings, physical assaults, and murdering people was occurring right in front of Law Enforcement Officers and elected politicians, who, at the time, did not prevent it from happening. All this has a "root problem" that has been a reality for decades, and if this present social chaos is "solved" by politics, the "root problem" will re-appear, in another form, somewhere else in the "garden" of America. Its merely a question of "when" and "where" and "how bad" it will be, the next time it pops-up. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.___2 Chronicles 7:14 ``

Thanks, Josheb. And thanks for your comments.

Continued . . . In Conclusion . . . "I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" ___The Lord Jesus in Matthew 16:18 NIV Note the phrase "I will BUILD my church" Does not this phrase and this verse clearly suggest that the numerical size of His church will not forever be a "little flock" and only a "few"? My view is that the Lord Jesus could not successfully BUILD His church if it forever remained a "little flock" and only a "few" in numbers? _______ Then consider the Lord Jesus's Great Commission at the end of Matthew's gospel chapter 28. Start quote. "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20 End quote. Note the particulars: (1) The Lord Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples of ALL the nations, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (2) The Lord Jesus explained that they were to do this because He NOW had been given all authority in both Heaven and on Earth. (3) This "all authority" that the Lord Jesus NOW has both in Heaven and on Earth is the reason why His disciples would be successful in making disciples of ALL the nations. It is Jesus' power that empowers the certain success of His Great Commission to His Christian Church. So? So Matthew 28:16-20 clearly teaches that the Christian Church will not forever remain a "little flock" and only a "few" in numbers? My view is that it would be impossible for the disciples of the Lord Jesus to successfully make disciples of ALL nations teaching them to obey the commands of the Lord Jesus --- and at the same time the Christian Church remain only a "little flock" and only be a "few" in numbers? So? So regarding the Opening Post and all my follow-up posts in this thread, I conclude that the proposition "The Christian Church is NOT now and will NEVER again be just a "few" or a "little flock{" --has been established as true. The End. May God Bless Us All. `

Continued . . . Now consider Hebrews 11:11-12 and Romans 4: 16-17 Hebrews 11:11-12 says that from Abraham came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. This is a NEW TESTAMENT verse that says clearly that the Christian Church is NOT going to remain a "little flock." or just a "few". Abraham's descendants have been clearly identified as the Christian Church in the verses up-thread. Then add Romans 4: 16-17 that teaches that "Abraham's offspring" is the Christian Church and says clearly that "He (Abraham) is the father of us all." So? So there is no POSSIBLE way to interpret . . . (A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" . . .as being historically PREDICTIVE of the FUTURE numbers of the Christian Church. Conclusion: The final numbers of the Christian Church will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. The Christian Church is NOT now and will NEVER again be just a "few" or a "little flock." This ought to cheer the hearts and minds of all we Christians. Moreover, the Lord Jesus deserves a HUGE growing Christian Church in the world and He is going to have that. Christendom is right now at 2.3 billion worldwide and we are growing like wildfire in the Global South, in places like Africa. Also there is a HUGE growing underground Christian Church in China. House Church. And there is an HUGE-ENORMOUS Christian Church in South Korea. `

Continued . . . Now add Revelation 7:9-10 which says that there is a great multitude of the saved from every nation, tribe, people and language and they are so numerous that no one can count them. "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes . . .and they cried out . . . Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10 So? So these verses . . . (A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" . . CANNOT be given a historically PREDICTIVE interpretation. They ONLY describe the small numbers of Christians who lived in the first century at the beginning of the public ministry of the Lord Jesus.

Continued . . . Please consider these 5 biblical passages regarding the present and coming HUGE-ENORMOUS numbers of the Christian Church. (1) Genesis 22:15-18 with (2) Galatians 3:6-9 with (3) Romans 4:16-17 with (4) Hebrews 11:11-12 with (5) Revelation 7:9-10 Start quote. "So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Galatians 3:6-9 End quote. In Galatians 3:6-9 Paul teaches that those who have faith are the children of Abraham. (The children of Abraham are therefore the Christian Church.) In Genesis 22:15-18 God said to Abraham that he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as numerous as the sand on the seashore. (millions) So? So Genesis 22:15-18 clearly CONNECTS with Galatians 3:6-9 So? So the numbers of the Christian Church (the children of Abraham) will be as numerous as the numbers of stars in the sky and as numerous as the sand on the seashore.(millions) So? So the following 3 verses cannot be applied to the numerical FUTURE of the entire Christian Church . . . A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" Those verses up there (A), (B), (C) CANNOT be given a historically PREDICTIVE interpretation. They MUST be interpreted ONLY as describing the numerical conditions of the first century in which they were written. If you interpret them to refer to the FUTURE numbers of the Christian Church then you have created a contradiction. between Genesis 22:15-18 and Galatians 3:6-9 (and other Bible verses too) Again the ONLY proposition of my Opening Post and follow-up posts is that the numerical size of the Christian Church is NOT now, and never again will be, a "little flock" or "few" in number.

Continued . . . Genesis 22:15-18 God said to Abraham, "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore . . . and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed." Note the particulars in Genesis 22:15-18 (1) stars (2) grains of sand on the seashore (3) all nations of the earth shall be blessed through Abraham's descendants. In Romans and Galatians and Hebrews the New Testament teaches that the Christian Church is the spiritual children of Abraham. More about that later. Meanwhile: How many stars are there in the universe? If you google that question, you'll get something like this: "Multiplying the number of galaxies, which is about 2 trillion, by the 100 million stars in a galaxy suggests there could be about 10 raised to the 20th power stars in the universe." That would be trillions and trillions of stars.

Continued . . . . Genesis 22:15-18 "The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Note the particulars: (1) "I will make your (Abraham) descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore" (2) "through your offspring all the nations on earth will be blessed."

Will Christians become as numerous as the stars in the sky and as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore? Yes! Hebrews 11:11-12 From Abraham the father of all who are of faith came "descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." Question: Do these three Bible verses teach that Christians are now, and will be in the future, few in numbers? No! (A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" Why? Because there are well over 2,300,000,000 Christians in the world .and 2.3 billion Christians cannot be a "little flock" or only a "few". There are over 16,000,000 Southern Baptist in the United States. Sixteen million Christians cannot be a "little flock" or a "few." There are over 1300 Protestant mega-churches in the United States with weekly attendance over 2000. That many Christians cannot be a "little flock" or just a "few." Anticipated objection: "Those people up there are not true Christians."___John Small Church My reply to John Small Church: It is absolutely impossible for you to know for certain that they are not true Christians. You do not have the power or the authority to judge the hearts of other people. That's just a fact and its an absolute fact. Only God has the power and the authority to judge the hearts of people and to know if they are, or are not, true Christians. I say all this, John Small Church, in the spirit of love and kindness. Remember this: You, like all Christians, are imperfect. You are not sinless. Therefore any one of those 2.3 billion Christians could look at the imperfections in your life and they could say about you, what you just said about them, namely that you are not a true Christian. So the conversation can end up like this: Bob: I am a true Christian, but you Tom, are not a true Christian. Tom: No Bob, I am a true Christian, but you are not a true Christian. Bob: No Tom, you do not meet my standards for being a true Christian. Tom: No Bob, you do not meet my standards for being a true Christian ________________ These 5 biblical passages below teach that the Christian Church will be HUGE-ENORMOUS in numbers. (1) Genesis 22:15-18 with (2) Galatians 3:6-9 with (3) Romans 4:16-17 with (4) Hebrews 11:11-12 with (5) Revelation 7:9-10 Meanwhile this thought: "As of the year 2015, Christianity has more than 2.3 billion adherents, out of about 7.5 billion people. The faith represents one-third of the world's population and is the largest religion in the world, with the three largest groups being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church."__wiki ______ Clearly, Christianity is not now a "little flock" and it is impossible to interpret the Bible as teaching that the Christian Church is always going to be a "little flock." When was Christianity a "little flock"? Answer: It was a "little flock" at the time the Lord Jesus spoke the words of Luke 12:32. At that time there was probably less than 300 Christians in the entire world of the 1st century. The Christian Church is not a "little flock" now and will never again be a "little flock." So? So clearly these verses . . (A) Luke 12:32's "little flock" (B) Matthew 7:14's "only a few find it" (C) Matthew 22:14's "many are invited, but few are chosen" . . . . . .are NOT predictive of the future of the numerical size of the Christian Church. I will post some more thoughts on this subject in follow-up posts. `

Amen. Atheists also "suppress the truth" Romans 1:18 {See the whole passage Romans 1:18-20 below.} Romans 1:18-20 is not talking specifically about Atheists, but about people in general who suppress the truth, however Atheists are part of mankind so Romans 1:18-20 applies to them also. Moreover, Romans 1:18-20 presents the germ principle of the Teleological Argument "Intelligent Design} for the existence of God. So? So Atheists ought to believe in God. Romans 1:18-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." ___Romans 1:18-20 The particulars: {1} People supress the truth {2} There is information about God available to them {3} God has made it plain to them. {4} It has been made plain since the creation of the world. {5} God's power and Divine nature have been clearly seen {6} All this was understood by looking at God's creation work {7} Therefore people ar without excuse So? So atheists have no excuse for not believing in God.

Okay Teddyv, thanks for reading my story and thanks for your comments. We're all different and we see things from different points of view. I am glad that you wrote your comments. I can understand what you said and I can agree with it. I want to add what you said to what I said. From my point of view there can now be two {2} takaway's from my story now that I have read what you said. I appreciate your comments.

Y'welcome , , , I appreciate you taking your time to come back and tell me that. I am going to give you two Tolkien quotes to show my appreciation. _________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”___J.R.R. Tolkien __________ “All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be the blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, `

Your point is a good point. I have tried it both ways. {1} Kindness {2} Aggressive Argumentation. You can find examples of both approaches in the Holy Bible. For some really strong talk from the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul Read Matthew chapter 23 and read Galatians 1:6-10, just for starters. _____________ I have been on the Internet a very long time and have talked to a huge number of atheists about God and about the Lord Jesus, and I have used both {1} and {2} up there. Results? Only God knows for sure. But so far as I know neither {1} or {2} has worked. Then this point: Actually my motive in writing my story was to help Christians see this: "The takeaway point, in case you missed it, is that Atheists are not as smart as they think they are."___JAG Also the story pokes fun at atheists' pseudo-logic in argumentation and does not directly attack them. __________ One last point: I have another version of that same story addressed to we Christians. Some of my true born again brothers and sisters in the Lord will "eat you alive" if you upset their doctrinal apple cart. Nobody here at Worthy is like that, but "out there" on the Internet there are some true Christians that are "looking for a fight" and they will "jump down your throat" in a flash if you say one word that upsets their doctrinal apple cart. And some are very easy to upset. What you run into is you suddenly find yourself "disagreeing with God." What does that mean? It means there are some true born again Christians on the Internet At Large that hold the position that "If you disagree with me doctrinally, then you are disagreeing with God." And of course, you can't argue with God. Once they tell you, "Then you don't believe God" or "Then you don't believe the Bible" the discussion is pretty much over. Tis true: There are some true born again Christians on Forums on the Internet At Large that hold the position that "If you disagree with me doctrinally, then you are disagreeing with God." And some of them will accuse you of not even being a Christian merely because you disagree with them on some doctrinal point ---and I am a Bible believing Baptist, and a Protestant, and an Evangelical and I am as orthodox as you can get -- - but I have been accused of not even being a Christian merely because I did not agree with my fellow Christians in areas such as Christian Eschatology. Also I have seen true born again Christians accuse each other of not being true Christians in threads where the Once Saved Always Saved thingy was being argued because they disagreed with each other. So? So its possible to read my story and think about some Christians who do not discuss and argue on the basis of love, but are unreasonable and unloving in their approach to argumentation. __________ God Bless you too, my friend. JAG ``

Okay. Thanks again for reading my story. /smile

My Opening Post specifically, boldly, and clearly answered your question. The specific answer to your question is located at the very end of my Opening Post. I even used the exact word that you used in your question which was the word "point." Here is how my Opening Post ended: "The takeaway point, in case you missed it, is that Atheists are not as smart as they think they are."___JAG __________ Shalom to you too. `

I wrote the story below to poke fun at Atheists whose gods are Their Own Selves, Empiricism, Rationalism, Secularism, Logic, Science, and what THEY claim is Rational Argumentation. Its a dumb story but it does make a serious point. So relax, read my short crazy story, and have a little harmless fun. _____________ ` A Very Short Story About John And Bob and Tom. by JAG There are two atheists that are having an argument over contradictory propositions. John Atheist and Bob Atheist. They are having a private debate in their own thread. They are now on page 40 in the thread and they are not writing short posts, but long drawn out lengthy screeds. They both claim victory and claim that they have established a high degree of Probability that their position is the correct one, and that their opponent's position is incorrect. I have utterly defeated you says John. My arguments stand at a 90% Probability of certainty and your arguments stand only at a 40% Probability of certainty and here are my reasons to support what I say. No, all that is incorrect replies Bob. My arguments stand at a 90% Probability of certainty and your arguments only at a 40% Probability of certainty and here are my reasons to support what I say. _____________ The two atheists, John and Bob, decide to meet in Real World and continue their arguments. They do this and they continue to argue back and forth for 10 days until they are near exhaustion. Neither John or Bob will budge an inch. How can we settle this, asks John. Bob replies, let's go to the academic community and let them decide. You mean we take a Majority Vote within the academic community? Well no, replies John that would ruin our scholarly reputations and we'd be howled out of the room because everybody knows that taking a Majority Vote can not settle who has won an argument. So my Ph.D's against your Ph.D's is not a very smart plan. By the way Bob, again I have won and you have lost this argument. No John, again you have lost and I have won this argument. I know how we can settle this, said Bob, we can go and put our case before this organization: The International World Authority That Has The Power To Decide Who Has, Or Has Not, Presented The Most Plausible Arguments. That's a great idea replied John, but where are they located? I don't know said Bob, lets ask Tom where we can find them. So they asked Tom, but Tom said Listen fellas there is no such organization in the world as that, and you both should know this. John and Bob both said well okay Tom, I guess you are right about that, but what in the world are we going to do now? How can we settle who has won this argument with the highest degree of Plausibility? I know how we can settle it, said John. We can let Tom settle it. Okay said Bob, we will let Tom settle this. Okay Tom, which one of us has won this argument? Tom replied I declare that John has won this argument with the highest degree of Plausibility. I declare that John has won and that Bob has lost. And so it came to pass that it was forever settled by Tom. John had won, and Bob had lost. Ahh victory is sweet said John. I love it when I win and can know for certain that I have won. The End. LOL _______ Yeah, I told you it was a dumb story, but it did make a few serious points if you stop and think about it seriously. The takeaway point, in case you missed it, is that Atheists are not as smart as they think they are. ``

Alive, thanks for your comments. __________ Thought For Today: “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”"___J.R.R.Tolkien `

Thanks for your comments. My Opening Post has nothing to do with Predestination. Zero. The Opening Post does not mention Predestination. Nonetheless I encourage you to rail against Predestination to your heart's content. You have my blessings if you decide to do that. Your comments have zero to do with my Opening Post. Are you sure you are in the right thread? Thanks again for your efforts. Also, one wonders . . . Did you read the thread carefully? Do you remember reading the following from the Opening Post? JAG Replies: Yes it is true that since God is Omniscient and knows the future and knows what you will choose to do, then you will do that which He knows that you will do. But , , , that does NOT mean that you did not freely choose to do that which He knew you would do. Here we need to understand what Free Will means. Free Will means there is no Force external to you, that forces you to do, that which you do not want to do. God merely knowing what you will choose to do, does not mean that God forces you to do, that which He knew you would choose to do. Nor does it mean that you did not want to do it. You did want to do it. Your Free Will freely chose to do whatever you did."___JAG

Thanks for your comments. My Opening Post has nothing to do with Predestination. Zero. The Opening Post does not mention Predestination. Nonetheless I encourage you to rail against Predestination to your heart's content. You have my blessings if you decide to do that. Your comments have zero to do with my Opening Post. Are you sure you are in the right thread? Thanks again for your efforts. Also, one wonders . . . Did you read the thread carefully? Do you remember reading the following from the Opening Post? JAG Replies: Yes it is true that since God is Omniscient and knows the future and knows what you will choose to do, then you will do that which He knows that you will do. But , , , that does NOT mean that you did not freely choose to do that which He knew you would do. Here we need to understand what Free Will means. Free Will means there is no Force external to you, that forces you to do, that which you do not want to do. God merely knowing what you will choose to do, does not mean that God forces you to do, that which He knew you would choose to do. Nor does it mean that you did not want to do it. You did want to do it. Your Free Will freely chose to do whatever you did."___JAG `

Here are some Bible verses that might, or might not, relate in some way to the Opening Post? _____ "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."__Galatians 6:1-2 _____ "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."__2 Timothy 2:25-26 ______ "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. ___The Lord Jesus John 15:12-14 ______ "If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."___Galatians 5:15 _____ "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."___Ephesians 4:32 ____ "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."__1 Peter 3:8 _____ "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."__Romans 14:19 _____ "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."___Romans 12:18 _____ "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."__1 Peter 3:8 _____ "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."__2 Timothy 2:23 _____ "Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."__2 Timothy 2:14 _____ "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."__1 Corinthians 13:1 ____

Hello Josheb, nice seeing you here too. God Bless.

No.

Andy Atheist Wrote: "If God is all knowing (Omniscient} then it logically follows that if God knows today, what choices I will make tomorrow, then I have no choice tomorrow to do anything other than to make the choice that God knew I would choose."___Andy Atheist JAG Replies: Yes it is true that since God is Omniscient and knows the future and knows what you will choose to do, then you will do that which He knows that you will do. But , , , that does NOT mean that you did not freely choose to do that which He knew you would do. Here we need to understand what Free Will means. Free Will means there is no Force external to you, that forces you to do, that which you do not want to do. God merely knowing what you will choose to do, does not mean that God forces you to do, that which He knew you would choose to do. Nor does it mean that you did not want to do it. You did want to do it. Your Free Will freely chose to do whatever you did. It Is Vital To Remember That , , , Free Will means that there is no Force outside of you, that is forcing or coercing you into choosing to do that which is against what you want to do. The fact that God knows what you will choose to do, does not mean that there was any Force-Outside-Of-You coercing you to do that which God knew you would choose to do. __________ Secular Laws , , , Free Will is a secular truth, and not only a religious truth; How so? Because all of Civilized Humanity recognizes the legitimacy of the institution of Free Will and has legislated human Free Will into law. the Law says humans are responsible for their choices. The Law recognizes the legitimacy of the Institution of human Free Will. Keeping in mind what Andy Atheist said, read this dialogue between Henry and The Judge. Henry: Your Honor, yes it is true that I robbed that bank and in the process I killed three bank tellers, but Your Honor, God is Omniscient and God knew I would rob the bank and kill those three tellers, so Your Honor its not my fault that I committed this crime, I merely did what God knew I would do. The Judge: Oh okay, Henry. I understand. Thanks for explaining. Case dismissed. So? So humans Are Responsible For Their Free Will Choices. So all this talk about Free Will NOT being a true, valid, and legitimate explanation of why humans are personally responsible before God for the evil choices they make is irrational and belongs in the basement below the basement where unproductive totally-useless abstract philosophical academic speculations blathers on and on and on. Nothing said by humans can invalidate this truth: Humans Are Responsible For Their Free Will Choices. _________ Many Atheists blame God , , , However my view is that the air-tight solid truth demonstrated in the conversation between Henry and The Judge, will be dismissed as nonsense by most atheists and the irrational assault on the institution of human Free Will as a legitimate and valid explanation of human evil and sin will continue as if Henry and The Judge had never been presented. Why? Because atheists who remain atheists are not going to ever give up blaming God for the evil in the world -- and thereby excusing themselves for their own Free Will evil choices to do evil. What does Henry and The Judge demonstrate? That Humans Are Responsible For Their Free Will Choices. -- and to say otherwise reduces to absurd-nonsense. The Coming Judgment , , , One last point: Not only does all of Civilized Law recognize Free Will as a legitimate explanation for human evil choices, but so does God and the Bible and God's laws regarding Free Will will be applied at The Judgment just as man's laws regarding Free Will are applied in Human Courts. What does that mean? It means that human Free Will choices will determine human Eternal destiny. John 3:16 asks humans to make a choice. Joshua 24:15 asks humans to make a choice. "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." ___Joshua 24:15