Tag: free will
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Did God Know Adam Would Fall? Why Would He Let That Happen?
Knowledge itself is a pretty interesting topic. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even possible to know anything at all. I’m part of a Facebook group in which people debate issues related to God’s existence, creation ex theos, and Darwinian evolution. In truth, there’s not much debating actually going on–just people posting pictures that don’t actually…
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Seeing the Kingdom of Heaven
Have you ever seen God? Some of you will answer by telling me how you see God working or how you see God in nature or people. Those things are not God Himself. I will venture to guess that you have never seen God. Yet, we believe He is. A vast majority of people on…
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Jesus as Prophet and The Personal Salvation Debate Among Jews in the First Century
In these notes, I first show the point of John 3:1-2 by offering a biblical apologetic for Jesus as having the authority of a prophet to reveal new revelation. Then, I explore the theological environment of First Century Judea in order to provide historical context for Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus. It is no surprise that…
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The Scourge of Calvinism Pt. 2- Total Depravity vs Free Will
I am looking at the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism because I have been asked to. From the outset, I want to remind my brothers and sisters in Christ that it is important for us to remain humble, not categorically making enemies of others based on whatever differences we perceive there to be in our…
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Daily Devotional: Romans 11:11-21
Paul explicitly makes his audience known, here. He is writing to gentiles. He is explaining that many Jews believed in their own works rather than the works of God. They are branches broken off from the olive tree because of their unbelief. Even though Paul stated previously that they did not believe because they are…
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Daily Devotional: Romans 9:14-21
Paul has now claimed that the people of God are chosen from the womb, before they can do anything good or bad so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls. Salvation is the choice of God, not people. Paul immediately answers the issue…
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Prodigal
Over the course of the previous few weeks, we have been talking about the dangers of self-will and self-interest. Last week, we saw that Saul’s self-interest and worry led him into sin and led him to drag others into sin with him. This week, we see how David’s worry leads him in a way similar…
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God’s Sovereignty and Human Will
Last week, we got at the idea of Christian liberty. Today, we are going to consider the liberty of the human will, or so-called free will. God’s sovereignty and providence as He works all things together in order to establish His own throne within His creation through Israel are the key focus in 1 and…
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Is Change Part of God’s Plan?
Last year at this time I was at a church preaching. It was my first Sunday preaching at the church that would become my home. The Church at Sunsites really has become a home for Kati, Elijah, and me. This group of people looking for a preacher has become part of our family and has…
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Is Arminian Doctrine Heresy?
As your questions using the contact form on this site or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. This question came from a church member of ours and I want to answer it in three parts. First, we will define what is meant by “Arminian.” Second, we will see how Arminianism has been developed and treated…