From: johnson@elec.uq.oz.au (Craig Johnson)
Subject: Re: Predestination and flame wars
Organization: Prentice Centre, University of Queensland
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 06:50:36 GMT


"(Glenn Radinsky S05152@doc.flc.colorado.edu)"               <S05152@DOC.FLC.COLORADO.EDU> writes:

>Dear All:

>     Recently we all have been watching the usual gang don
>the flame throwers and go at it over the topic of
>predestination v free will.  A word if I may...

...

>     I guess the argument could be made that this door is
>being left open to the sinner who has been called to turn
>from his wicked ways, but I personally do not feel that way.
>(I had better get the fireproof suit on now, the whole
>predestination crowd is after me...).

>     The point of this post is this:  God loves us all,
>sinners and wicked alike.  Eric is not likely to change the
>way he thinks because Tom says there is no other way to
>think.  Tom is not going to change the way he thinks because
>Erik says there is no other way to think.  We are having a
>huge pyrotechnic war over this and no one is about to change
>their minds.  To this effect, we have seen post after post
>along the lines of "You're WRONG, this is what the Bible
>R E A L L Y says.  If you get anything else out of it, YOU
>ARE WRONG!"

>     Enough already!  Let's start finding common ground
>instead of stuff to pick fights over.  As someone said in a
>previous post, we are arguing over whether the Army or the
>Marines are better equipped to fight satan.  Please let the
>list leaders put the Halon away and let's talk about
>something constructive.

>              Thanks for reading and God Bless,



>                            Glenn


Glenn,

	I must say that I am encouraged by your post, and
do appreciate your sentiments.  However (... why do "howevers"
always sound so ominous :-) ...), as much as I agree that
we ought talk over common ground (e.g. encouragement to
evangelise), it also appears to me that Christia seems like
a good place to forum issues of difference, as in the case
you are addressing.  Paul always prayed and encouraged Christians
to grow in understanding of the truth, and to attain unity in
mind and heart and all things.  While our Lord Jesus was on
earth, He also taught that we ought worship in spirit and in
truth.  Having said that, God also teaches us through His word that
there are right and wrong ways to approach differences and disputes,
and so I wholeheartedly agree with you when you speak of
"pyrotechnics".  Sometimes our posts do not always seem to
be in the love and gentleness that our Lord taught us, but
more in an attitude of judgement and contempt that Paul
condemned in Romans 14 and 15 (maybe we should all read
those passages again :-)).  Perhaps then if we can't tone
done and correct any wrong attitudes we should indeed change
the topics discussed!

	Again, I appreciate your concern, Glenn, and think
it quite timely!

"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be
like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."	Romans 15:5,6


				In Christ,
				Craig Johnson

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