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This is a good thing. I can't remember how many times on Facebook I got into a discussion and the other person because rude and hateful, only to delete the entire conversation and suddenly I'm finding friends involved unfriending me. Apparently, they deleted the conversation, then lied about what was said.

The following post is not intended to engage the prior discussion as a whole, but only to engage the idea that minds are already "made up." When I read that statement above, I thought - That is actually how it works most of the time with doctrinal positions. For most Biblical doctrine my mind is very firmly "made up" with heart conviction concerning the position that I hold, and it would require someone to provide a very thorough presentation concerning how my position is Biblically inaccurate or concerning how their position is more accurate in order for me to change. As an example for this (employed ONLY as an example, NOT at all as an accusation against anyone) - While Brother Hugh above accused Brother Jerry and Brother Jim of having their minds already "made up" on this matter (about which he is likely quite correct), it is also quite likely that Brother Hugh's own mind is also already "made up" concerning the position that he holds. As such, it is likely that BOTH sides already have their minds "made up." Thus in order for change on either side to be possible, it would require a thorough Biblical response from the opposing side; and it would require an honest consideration and examination of that response by the receiving side. Then it would further require the first side to honestly consider and examine any counter response that the receiving side might present.

BrotherTony, I agree with what you said above. I am not in either camp - I am a Biblicist. I strive to make sure that I get all my theology from the Bible. I can learn from a teacher, but I do not follow a teacher above the Bible - I follow them (if I do follow them in any sense) inasmuch as they follow Christ/the Bible. I will add though, there is a time and place to refute false theology, to stand for the truth, to teach others the truth. It's great that we believe (and are absolutely convicted) we are standing where the Bible would have us stand - but we need to also (when and where appropriate) help others to know where to stand. Endless debates for the sake of debates is of the Devil - refuting error and reinforcing the truth is of God. Of course, we also need God's wisdom to know which is which (James 1:5).

Thank the good Lord that I don't have to stand on either side of the Calvinist/Arminian debate...Too much time is spent on the "I am of Calvin" argument, as it does on the opposing side. It hasn't been settled in over 400 years, and it won't be settled on any forums on the internet. It's time wasted, and is divisive. I'm thankful to say the "I am of Jesus Christ." I'm a Christian first and foremost....

I find this quite true...especially on the Southern Baptists forum, especially when it comes to their discussion of Calvinism! I don't block people for the most part, but in the past six months on that forum, I've had to block four from the Arminian position, and at least seven from the Calvinist position. I'm a neutral there, and I try to be fair to both sides...but insults, ad hominem attacks, etc., get people blocked now in that particular forum. Christians should know better. I've found some of the same here in this forum, not necessarily over the subject mentioned above...but we do have our attackers.

GloryLand, it’s just like real conversations. Once you say something, you can’t just unsay it.

Last night it was kielbasa, peas and mac & cheese! It was the "left-over" night for them. One kielbasa or polish sausage lasts us two suppers, and we've always loved how economical it is! ?

Tonight I did my Shrimp Stir Fry, easily enough left over for another meal. Yay!

Yes, certainly. I wasn't focussed on that - but I agree. Man cannot respond to the Gospel until he has first heard or read the Gospel. Then the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convict him of his sins and his need for the Saviour, and the person is left with the choice of what to do with Jesus/the Gospel. When someone responds positively and receives the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting Him alone for salvation, then the Holy Spirit regenerates him and he becomes a born again child of God.

Literal virgin males on earth were sealed. 12,000 from each tribe, just as it was told to him. The Multitude he saw in heaven was a different group of slaughtered saints that came to heaven after the 144,000 were sealed on earth. The 144,00 are sealed on earth then go into the wilderness, where they are protected from death, for the last half of the tribulation. They don't go to heaven after being sealed but are gathered back to Jerusalem after the tribulation week is over.