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I ask this only out of curiosity: How would you explain the nature of God's love for Esau (cf. Mal. 1:3, Rom. 9:13)? ...what about the Amalekites (cf. 1 Sam. 15)? Shalom,

For your consideration: http://www.thirdmill.org/answers/answer.as.../file/99756.qna Shalom,

Bill, I thought of you when I read this poem... http://www.graceforums.com/topic.php?id=159 I hope it will get you thinking more about the work God does and less about what you do to be saved. Please, let me know if you want to talk more on this or if you have any other questions. I'll be glad to try and help in any way I can. Shalom, Lane

Bill, I don't know if this is the right forum for the discussion but I will give you a brief answer here because I can tell you're sincerely looking for an answer... I believe the answer is yes. The key here as I see it is the fact that you were "driven back to God." In John 10:27 (KJV), Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." You may have strayed for a season but you were one of His sheep the whole time. And now you're back in the fold, right? It's both, bro... and I wish I could tell you it gets easier but until we reach the other side of eternity, it's just going to be this way. You can read Romans ch. 7 and see how the apostle Paul himself struggled with this wretched flesh. I hope that helps. Feel free to pm me or visit the link to my site (in my sig) if you'd like to talk about this more in-depth. Blessings, Lane

Sorry smiles... it's hard to tell here ya know...!?

That's it? Just two of us, eh?

That makes two of us...

Quoting John Piper

Most reformed believers today come under either the Presbyterian or Reformed Baptist umbrellas, both of which are generally cessationist. Most charismatic and Pentecostal believers ascribe to a more "free-will," Arminian approach to soteriology.

No conflict at all. We believe in a monergistic salvation... God does all the work

Greetings LAW. When smiles said he believed in the "doctrines of grace" it was just another way of saying he believes in TULIP (the five points of Calvinism). More info here: http://monergism.com/thethreshold/articles...nesofgrace.html Blessings, Lane

Hi mrp1948. Cessationism = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessationism ...I am a "continuationist" (a.k.a. non-cessationist). Calvinism = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism ...I also hold to the "five points of Calvinism." They're not explained very well on wikipedia but there's enough there to give you an idea. That's what I mean by both. Most folks are one or the other or neither... rarely both. Hope that helps...

Sounds like one Calvinist (smiles) and one non-cessationist (Josh-13) so far... that's typical and that's why I posted this question... because I rarely find anyone (like me) that believes both. Thanks for your responses.

...non-cessationist = belief that all the gifts of the Spirit are still in operation I'm with you on the doctrines of grace.

I am posting this outside the debate forums so maybe I'll get some honest answers... Are there any non-cessationist Calvinist (Reformed) believers in these forums? I know there aren't many of us so it's nice when I actually find a "kindred spirit." Blessings, Lane

I suggest you read this: http://www.thedivinecouncil.com/nephilim.pdf

They rejected the Bible years ago by allowing openly gay clergy. They have now rejected Christ, who said Himself that He is THE (singular and exclusive) Way, and are essentially calling Him a liar. That's putting it very bluntly but it's true.

Blessings to you CSLewis. You and your church have my prayers. I hope you'll consider signing the petition I mentioned earlier in this thread and let your other conservative brothers and sisters know about it, too. [ http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ECUSA_a...tion_of_Christ/ ] Shalom.

You have to hope so... separating the wheat from the tares, so to speak.

Praying that this will catch the ear of at least a few sheep and lead them to change course.... (hey, if this works, how about we go and try to get His rainbow back as well! ) I'm for that! We'd have to start with some rainbow bumper stickers of our own!

Why petition this one? Christians (outside apostate churches) need to be awakened to see the subtle work of evil taking over churches. If someone doesn't take a stand, Christian doctrines will be so watered down 50 years from now that we'll hardly be able to find any truth at all in them. I agree that Schori is not a legitimate leader and that the ECUSA is no longer a legitimate church. I agree that there are lots of religious organizations that reject Jesus and the Bible but not all of them call themselves "Christian." This one does. That's why we should petition this one. The only way anyone will be put on our mailing list is if they choose to become members of our site. I easily could have run the petition directly from our site but I decided not to do that because I didn't want it to be a "membership drive" or a "fundraising drive." It's simply a signature drive. Shalom, brother.

sW, In a nutshell, the message says recant or quit playing church. If you believe that, you should sign. Pearls not included (other than the Scripture references which I'm sure they'll ignore).

PETITION: All are welcome and encouraged to sign... Petitioning the Episcopal Church (USA) on their refusal to affirm Christ Please spread the word! Blessings, Lane

Good responses so far Ovedya & tah... I would emphasize from Ovedya's post that most prophecy is forth-telling (exhortive preaching) rather than fore-telling (predictive preaching). There are some modern saints I would say are endowed with a prophetic ministry, whether it's billed that way or not. The late Francis Schaeffer definitely comes to mind. There is a balance (as in most every type of ministry) that must be struck between presenting the Truth with a certain rigidity while not abandoning the message of grace, love, and compassion. As most biblical prophecies are not complete without a message of judgment AND a message of blessing so should be the message of any exhorter today. Shalom, Lane

Why can't the ECUSA and the PCUSA quit "playing" church and just go form a social club? Their religion is worthless without the Truth. Why do they even want to call themselves "Christian" anymore?