From: Ken Reynolds To: "'heesendr@beloit.edu'" Subject: Re: God can't do a thing about it? Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 13:18:02 -0400 I disagree also. The word "can't" invalidates this statement. David Heesen wrote in article <6kjtlt$dfr$1@Jupiter.Mcs.Net>... > "You can of your own free will choose to reject Christ, and God can't do a > thing about it." > > The most famous evangelist in the world made this statement on his broadcast > last Sunday morning (May 24). I heartily disagree. Comments, scriptures, > diatribes? X-UID: 004ba52f Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 23:08:01 -0800 Subject: Re: God can't do a thing about it? To: heesendr@beloit.edu From: DavidE_Benedict@pmug.org (DavidE Benedict) He can make you wish you had not been disobedient!!! He controls lots of the circumstances in your life, do you think He cannot move mountains of things into it, and lots of love, too? When I think of how puny I am alongside the Creator,... well, whew! When I think of how patient He has been with me... I shook my fist at God for 40 years, and people prayed for me to be saved and have His peace... I was IN for IT!! He wailed on me until I cried out to Him who holds all power. Sure, in Jesus I am the second highest power in the universe and can free-will refuse God the desires of His heart for me... but God... still makes me wish I hadn't when I sin. But I'm glad for that in sooo many ways. I can finally love because Jesus loved first. D<:/d Benedict(R) X-Sender: alexcoh@pop1.ibm.net Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 20:04:52 -0400 To: heesendr@beloit.edu From: "Alex P. Cohen" Subject: God's Sovereignty Cc: ulmc@unionlife.org Hi David, Just a note to say I enjoyed your article on God's Sovereignty. (As you have no doubt guessed, I agree completely.) Even more, I enjoyed your PASSION. That is such a wonderful quality to have. A friend of mine, Michael Nevins, is also passionate about this subject. He is the director of the Union Life Ministry Center, and this is his ministry mission statement: "To present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, through the transformation and renewing of the mind, with the teaching of the total sovereignty of God, the New Covenant Message of the final reconciliation of man in Christ Jesus and the revelation of the Spiritual Kingdom here on earth." Anyway, I thought you might enjoy his article on the subject. It seems to me, on this subject at least, you two are of one mind: http://www.unionlife.org/SOVEREIGNTY.htm Enjoy! Alex X-Sender: ulmc1@modempool.com Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 20:34:59 -0400 To: heesendr@beloit.edu From: ulmc Subject: God's Sovereignty Great article on the Sovereignty of God. The arminian view is sure to make any true Christian spit bullets. My freind sent me your article and posted it on our server list. Thanks for the report. Michael Nevins Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 15:14:03 -0500 From: Heather Dalloul Reply-To: adventism@usa.net Organization: Adventist Beginnings To: heesendr@beloit.edu Subject: God Cant Do a Thing About It? True, God can do whatever He wants, but He lovingly gave us all the gift of free will (of course we have free will in only one matter, which master will we serve). He does not force Himself on anyone. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock;: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him..." Rev. 3:20, kjv. For God to force Himself on anyone would be at odds with His loving spirit. God did not force Satan and his angels to stop their uprising, He did not force Adam and Eve not to eat the apple... He gave all of them the choice. But what many do not think about when we talk about our free will is that we will have to face the consequences for our own actions. Satan and his angels were cast out of Heaven and Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Yes, God can do something about it, but He chooses to let us learn through our own mistakes (as parents do with children). He wants us to come willingly, loving Him. To force would mean to cause us to fear Him and His wrath. Isn't that at odds with our loving God? The sinful self wants salvation, but deems itself unworthy. When the Holy Spirit presents Christ to our hearts, we must let Him in. He won't let Himself in. Our sinful self cringes from His life, afraid of His redeeming light, like creatures of the night brought into the day. Yet when we make a conciuos decision to follow Him, He gives us the strength to let Him in. -- God Bless! Heather Dalloul Adventist Beginnings http://www.freeyellow.com/members3/adventism heatherdal@usa.net heatherdal@juno.com adventism@usa.net ICQ= 794877 From: "Chabot, Jeffrey A" To: heesendr@beloit.edu Subject: God Can! Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 13:14:04 -0400 David, You are absolutely correct--God can and does what he wants. In fact, Ephesians 1 (and other places) explicitly state that all history is the working out of God's plan which he instituted before the foundation of the world. Therefore our salvation rests entirely in his hands (Romans 9). Let me tell you: if you are in a church that teaches otherwise, you need to get yourself to a good Reformed denomination (Presbyterian Church in America, for example) where they understand God's sovereignty and grace. I struggled as a Christian for a long time thinking my salvation was up to me; I thank God that he made it plain to me that he was in charge from the beginning to end (as the Author and Finisher of our faith). However, this view is not the doorway to determinism or just sitting back and doing nothing in our faith. God has ordained that we should have the privilege of partaking in his plan of forwarding his kingdom. On a personal note, as I read your article on the preacher who says "God can't," I was in agreement and saying amen. Then I went ot the bottom of the page and saw you quoted "Batter My Heart." It is one of my favorites and perhaps the best description of how we live as Christians under God's grace. Too cool! Thanks and keep up the good work. Peace, Jeff