Sonnet
New member
Of course.
Did you expect there not to be?
I would expect a clear unambiguous statement that summarises the essential elements of the good news.
Instead, we observe the opposite.
Of course.
Did you expect there not to be?
What? I think they would and do.
Only to you and people like you.I would expect a clear unambiguous statement that summarises the essential elements of the good news.
Instead, we observe the opposite.
If there was a consensus then, presumably the Gospel that Paul outlines in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 would be a strong candidate - but I know of no Calvinist who would preach such words to an unbeliever.
Perhaps you are relying on the wrong sources.I would expect a clear unambiguous statement that summarises the essential elements of the good news.
Instead, we observe the opposite.
I like everyone. Even someone like you.
ThanksYou are, as usual, economical with the truth.
I would expect a clear unambiguous statement that summarises the essential elements of the good news.
Instead, we observe the opposite.
Limited atonement rules out, 'Christ died for our sins.'
I am a non-believer interested in knowing what the good news is. I ask because, in my experience, Christians do not seem to agree on the specifics. One might point to the issue of the scope of Christ's salvific provision as being particularly relevant.
If the Gospel isn't clearly defined then, surely, the non-believer may legitimately ask, 'Believe in what?'
Sonnet,
Your question is legitimate.
But your assumptions in asking it are false.
The first false assumption you make is that, as a non-believer, you can be interested in knowing what the good news is. Heb 11:6KJV. It's like a man who doesn't believe that water exists saying he is interested in learning to swim.
The second false assumption is that the good news can be understood without first knowing the bad news. The bad news must be believed before the good news can be appreciated. God begins by explaining the bad news in Genesis. But the non-believer does not believe in God or sin. Rom 5:8KJV
All Christians agree on vital specifics. They all confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead. The fact that there are differences of opinion on many topics is only proof of how far out of fellowship with our Creator each of us have strayed and how right the Bible is. Rom 3:23KJV. But why is it surprising that there is disagreement? Do all economists, politicians, philosophers, artists agree?
You are an outsider, a blind man, a fool who says there is no God - but please, tell me about His good news!
You cannot believe because you do not have faith. You do not have faith because you will not ask.
But if you do ask, from your heart, for faith, then you will already possess it because you will have believed that the one you have asked can give it to you. John 16:24KJV
I will respond - but I thought the thread had been locked?
In a sense, you have inadvertently touched on your actual problem, unaware that you have touched on it.
Your reading into a thing.
Case in point, Sherman wrote "I see you going around in circles again in this thread trying to divide TOL members against each other I am going to lock this thread."
But how a thing reads, or what it says, is not necessarily the same as what was meant by it.
Obviously, what was meant by what was said - even exactly as it was worded - was IF "I see you going around in circles AGAIN in this thread trying to divide TOL members against each other THEN I am going to lock this thread."
In contrast, you read into that "I am going to lock this thread. Period."
And yet, here you are, demanding all be on some sort of all on the same page to some sort of a satisfaction on your part - a standard you yourself have just proven even you can fall short of :chuckle:
Reminds me of the following - from some two thousand years ago...
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Nevertheless, Romans 5:8 towards you.
Why?
In what sense?
In the sense of...
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And you have just now proven how less then perfect you yourself are, at meeting the very standard you expect one and all to meet - that of all somehow being on the same page to your satisfaction.
Thank God for Romans 5:8, on your behalf :chuckle:
Sonnet,
Your question is legitimate.
But your assumptions in asking it are false.
The first false assumption you make is that, as a non-believer, you can be interested in knowing what the good news is. Heb 11:6KJV. It's like a man who doesn't believe that water exists saying he is interested in learning to swim.
The second false assumption is that the good news can be understood without first knowing the bad news. The bad news must be believed before the good news can be appreciated. God begins by explaining the bad news in Genesis. But the non-believer does not believe in God or sin. Rom 5:8KJV
All Christians agree on vital specifics. They all confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead. The fact that there are differences of opinion on many topics is only proof of how far out of fellowship with our Creator each of us have strayed and how right the Bible is. Rom 3:23KJV. But why is it surprising that there is disagreement? Do all economists, politicians, philosophers, artists agree?
You are an outsider, a blind man, a fool who says there is no God - but please, tell me about His good news!
You cannot believe because you do not have faith. You do not have faith because you will not ask.
But if you do ask, from your heart, for faith, then you will already possess it because you will have believed that the one you have asked can give it to you. John 16:24KJV
In a sense, you have inadvertently touched on your actual problem, unaware that you have touched on it.
Your reading into a thing.
Case in point, Sherman wrote "I see you going around in circles again in this thread trying to divide TOL members against each other I am going to lock this thread."
But how a thing reads, or what it says, is not necessarily the same as what was meant by it.
Obviously, what was meant by what was said - even exactly as it was worded - was IF "I see you going around in circles AGAIN in this thread trying to divide TOL members against each other THEN I am going to lock this thread."
In contrast, you read into that "I am going to lock this thread. Period."
And yet, here you are, demanding all be on some sort of all on the same page to some sort of a satisfaction on your part - a standard you yourself have just proven even you can fall short of :chuckle:
Reminds me of the following - from some two thousand years ago...
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Nevertheless, Romans 5:8 towards you.
Why?
In what sense?
In the sense of...
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And you have just now proven how less then perfect you yourself are, at meeting the very standard you expect one and all to meet - that of all somehow being on the same page to your satisfaction.
Thank God for Romans 5:8, on your behalf :chuckle:
The last few posts sum up salvation and why you should believe the Gospel message very nicely, Sonnet. You should be looking to scripture for your answers, not TOL members.
I see you going around in circles again in this thread trying to divide TOL members against each other I am going to lock this thread.
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You should be looking to scripture for your answers, not TOL members.
I am a non-believer interested in knowing what the good news is. I ask because, in my experience, Christians do not seem to agree on the specifics. One might point to the issue of the scope of Christ's salvific provision as being particularly relevant.
If the Gospel isn't clearly defined then, surely, the non-believer may legitimately ask, 'Believe in what?'