Jerry

I understand the point you are making - and for primarily English-speaking people, the KJV is certainly better and more useful than translations into other languages (referring specifically to TR-based literal translations). However, superior implies better quality - and that is how some people use it today as well in reference to the KJV - though the TR and the Masoretic Text are exactly the same in quality and content, so one cannot be "superior" to the other. Yes, more useful and profitable to individuals who only understand English or that is their primary language.

The term election is in the Bible - however, what Calvinists teach about election is not. The Bible nowhere teaches that ANYONE is elected to Heaven or Hell, to be saved or to be damned. The Bible does teach that the elected - those who are saved in Christ - are elected to be conformed to the image of Christ, to be glorified, to be given an inheritance in Christ. My response to the Gospel determines whether I am saved or not. If I trust Christ, I am elect in Christ, I have eternal life in Him. God foreknew who would choose or reject the Lord Jesus Christ. The elect are those that chose Christ. God's foreknowledge is not the same as predetermining something or making something happen. He foreknew our response and then made certain promises and determinations to those who come to Christ.

I and many others on these boards have refuted Calvinism and all its degenerate doctrines many times on these boards. If you care, do a search on these boards. If you are just here to push your heresies, rest content in your ignorance. While I do not have any problems discussing a specific aspect of Calvinism, it does get tiring to always have to debate the whole realm of its doctrines every time someone new comes to these boards. Pick one specific doctrine and we can discuss it. How about Jesus only dying for the elect? Hm, my Bible says otherwise. In fact, my Bible says this - other Scriptures can also be given than those listed below: For Whom did Jesus die? He died: 1. For all (1 Timothy 2:6; Isaiah 53:6) 2. For every man (Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 4:10) 3. For the world (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:19; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14) 4. For the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) 5. For the ungodly (Romans 5:6) 6. For false teachers (2 Peter 2:1) 7. For many (Matthew 20:28) 8. For Israel (John 11:50-51) 9. For the church (Ephesians 5:25) 10. For me (Galatians 2:20)

Funny, how every single Calvinist's answer when refuted is ALWAYS "You do not understand Calvinism." Ever stopped to think if your system of theology is soooo hard to figure out that perhaps it really is not from God or His Word? 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. I do understand Calvinism - maybe not as much as a worshipper of John Calvin/Augustine. I have studied a lot of it out - and compared what I have heard and read of it to God's Word (as I am commanded to do in the Bible itself, and as I do with every other doctrine/professed Bible teaching I encounter along the way), and frankly I am convinced it is not of God nor in line with His Word. I understand the Word of God - I don't need to 100% understand every little nuance and version of Calvinism (or any other system of belief) out there to know it is heresy and false teaching, pure and simple. When you study the genuine until you know it as thoroughly as possible by studying it year in and year out, then the counterfeit is easier to spot. You don't need to study what is false, you keep studying what is true and you will spot the false as you come across it and compare it with God's Word. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. These are all promises from God in His Word. If we diligently do our part to study and apply His Word, He will teach us truth from error, whether something lines up with His Word or not.

1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

God doesn't contradict Himself or teach contradictory theology. For many or most on these boards, we are convinced Calvinism is not of God. As we dig into the Word of God for ourselves and study it out, we are not convinced of those doctrines - and believe truly that it is a heretical system of beliefs. It cannot be of God and not of God at the same time. I am convinced it is not of God as too much of it contradicts the rest of the Bible or overlooks certain passages and principles. Better to stand SOLELY on the Word of God, rather than try to force the Bible to fit some system or line up with some denomination or preacher. Calvinism does not come from the Bible alone - it comes from overlooking some passages or from reading things INTO some passages. Taken at face value, neither Calvinism nor Arminianism fits the Word of God.

We don't need to know what is in his heart. He has rejected the Bible's commands to be sexually pure and abstain from all sexual activity outside of the marriage between a husband and wife. The Bible teaches sodomy is an abomination to God. Someone that turns to that lifestyle - especially openly (as opposed to struggling with it due to past abuse) - is someone that a true believer should reject and refuse to fellowship with or endorse in any way. Romans 1 speaks of those who knew the truth and then turned to abominable lifestyles as being under the judgment of God. I don't need to know their thoughts or their heart - I have God's thoughts on that person because I have God's Word on that issue/lifestyle.

Quietness And Confidence I come to Thee, O Lord, to-night, A glad and trustful child; Thy light has made my darkness light, Thy love my heart beguiled. I came to Thee by sin oppressed, Now many years ago; And I have found that perfect rest Thou only canst bestow. My hand is placed in Thine, my Lord, Thou canst not lead me wrong; I stay my soul upon Thy word, My pilgrim-way along. Some call our life a wilderness, A desert dark and drear; To me this life is nothing less Than Heaven begun down here. They surely cannot know the grace Which from Thy presence flows, Which makes the solitary place To blossom as the rose. They cannot know the joy there is, Which I have claimed as mine; The joy - nay, more, the perfect bliss, In this great love of Thine. Oh! Thou, who to the mire and clay Hast stooped for one like me; Thou who hast washed my sins away, When nailed to Calv'ry's tree; Oh! set their feet upon the Rock Who wander from Thee still; At their dull hearts, oh, louder knock, And bend the stubborn will. Thou who hast put the glad new song Within my mouth to praise, Oh! let me all my way along, Fresh Ebenezers raise. And let my life more wholly be Conformed to Thy pure word, That those who are observing me May glorify my Lord. E. J. Carr From Hand In Hand With Jesus, And Other Poems Published 1877 Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Isaiah 30:1-5 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. Isaiah 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Feel free to start one or more threads discussing these issues. I do feel this is too much to explain in one thread though, as there are multiple ways the conversation regarding each issue can go, and it can get confusing to tackle too many issues in one thread, unless only one or two were addressed at a time. My point was to point out where I strongly believe he is off, and to warn others who do not accept those doctrines or viewpoints as Biblical. If you do believe them, that is up to you. If you care about the truth and want to discuss what the Bible does say on each issue, I look forward to the new threads you start to discuss each one in.

Why are you refuting people's perceived attitudes and random statements from two or more years ago? Also, there is certainly nothing wrong with calling something like it is - such as calling Calvinism heresy.

And how does God call someone? Through the Gospel - which they can either receive or reject. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Good thing I am not a Calvinist, nor forced to believe in some specific creed. The Bible is my source of truth, not some creed or ancient preachers/church. If a creed, a preacher, a church, a denomination, contradicts the Word of God then they should be rejected inasmuch as they do so. If the whole pot is full of poison (ie. if there is death in the pot), then I reject the whole mixed up stew. If it is just a few (especially minor) matters that they are wrong on, then I can reject those issues and points and still glean from them, but if their whole pottage is filled with error, I am going to look for solid meat elsewhere. Yup, those He did foreknow, He predestined to certain things. Foreknew what? Foreknew that they would receive the Saviour, believe the Gospel, trust in the Lord. Those that did so are predestined to be made like Christ, predestined to be glorified, predestined to have an inheritance in Christ and a home in Heaven.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Um, what Bible are you reading? Neither the Bible, nor that passage specifically, teach what you just said. The Bible teaches that the Lord God provided salvation for the whole world, Jesus paid the penalty for the whole world, but salvation only comes through repentance and faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many will not accept that, will reject the Saviour, His Word, His Gospel, and therefore WILL perish. God's desire is that they turn from their sins to the Saviour, but He will not force anyone to be saved.

You are making the Bible contradict itself. 2 Peter 3:9 says He is not willing that any perish - but He does give everyone the choice to receive or reject the truth. Matthew 7 is not stating God's "will" (ie His desire) but stating what is going to happen eventually.

BOTH Calvinism AND Arminianism ARE heresy as they both contradict the Bible. On some doctrines and issues, the solution is somewhere in the middle, and on some other issues they are nowhere close to the truth. Better to steer clear of both sets of doctrine and search the Scriptures themselves, without trying to force each passage into a particular box. If I understand what was posted in a thread or two before mine (I skimmed over it and did not read it all), election and predestination have nothing to do with us being or becoming saved - but have to do with being God's people once we have trusted the Saviour, and in having an inheritance and certain things predestined to happen to us (like being conformed to the image of Christ and having a home in Heaven), not being predestined to Heaven or Hell or being predestined to be saved or lost.

Why settle for Calvinism OR Arminianism? Neither are Biblical. A steady diet of Arminian doctrine will eventually have someone questioning their eternal security in Christ when they struggle. Better to fully know what the Bible teaches about election and salvation, know why we are saved, then trust the Lord to keep us saved forever - better than worrying if I think I am a true believer but I crossed a line and now there is no hope for me or I lost my salvation and don't know if I can ever get it back again, or thinking that I need to persevere to keep it and never being sure I persevered enough in this life.

Yes, I would agree that James Knox needs to be read very carefully. James Knox does teach different salvation in different dispensations, the gap theory, against tithing, fallen angels mating with mankind in Genesis six creating the giants. He might have some good stuff, but he also teaches the same falsehoods on those areas that I avoid by the other hyperdispensationalists mentioned. I find some of those same heresies in his writings and videos. To me, that makes him very undependable and not worth my time or effort any longer - as I have to reject a percentage of what I read or watch of his.

Gene Kim is very much like Robert Breaker (and is in the same crowd) - a hyperdispensationalist, a sensationalist, who adds to the Bible. I have watched some videos of his where he defines (or redefines) a word (such as meta, which is a word meaning beyond or after), then shows you that word in a Bible passages, and says "See, the book of Revelation is prophesying about the Metaverse!!" Very dangerous and outright heretical. You would seriously get sidetracked if you follow or listen to him. James Knox does teach different salvation in different dispensations, the gap theory, against tithing, fallen angels mating with mankind in Genesis six creating the giants. He might have some good stuff, but he also teaches the same falsehoods on those areas that I avoid by the other hyperdispensationalists mentioned.

Good focus. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

I added this to the poem page by way of explanation: Less people must read and study the Song of Solomon than I previously thought. Instead of digging in deeply to this poetic allegory that presents an awesome picture of our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, they neglect this book completely or quickly read through it without attempting to understand it - which is sad and frankly discouraging. If we can study and trace out the symbolism of the book of Revelation through the rest of the Bible, surely we can do the same with this book. It is a blessing to understand the picture and how it fits our walk with the Lord, our struggles, and our victories, ending with the longing for our Beloved Bridegroom to take us home to be with Himself - just as the final book of the Bible ends with (Revelation 22:20). I challenge you to compare what is said in this poem with chapter five of the Song of Solomon. Do not be afraid to dig in deeper or make others (like me) seem to be out to lunch because you personally haven’t bothered to take the time to see what this book of the Bible says for itself and have only the wacky words or comments of some carnal or unsaved preacher to go by who tries to make this book about sex. The believer in the book is not even married to the Shepherd yet (see Song of Solomon 3:11 and Matthew 1:18). The whole Bible warns against fornication and adultery (and the New Testament word for fornication is porneia - which we are commanded to flee from in 1 Corinthians 6:18), and we are commanded to be pure and holy in our walks with the Lord; therefore God is not going to write a pornographic sexual song for His people. If you have that viewpoint and this book makes you uncomfortable because you are bringing sin and your carnal thoughts into it, then the problem is with you - not with this devotional Song of Songs, which many sound believers of the past have referred to as the Holy of Holies of the books of the Bible. I know I am standing on good ground in my interpretation of this book because I have taken the effort to trace out much of its symbolism through the rest of the Bible (as I do with any symbol or type found in its pages - which I might add is always consistent through the whole Bible), and I have studied out some of the great preachers of the past on this book - Charles Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, Hudson Taylor, and some others - and have found them standing in the exact same place as I am - or to put it better, I have found I am standing in the exact same place as they are. Don’t take my word for it, check out their writings, their commentaries and books that touch upon this poetic book, and see for yourself. Don’t neglect this wonderful book because you don’t understand it yet. All Scripture is holy, pure, and written for the benefit and blessing of all God’s children, from the youngest believer to the oldest saint (therefore God would never allow or put anything impure or unholy in it), and it all teaches about our Saviour (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 3:14-16; Luke 24:25-27; Psalm 40:7 and Revelation 19:10). Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh I sleep, but my heart waketh – my Shepherd is near – The voice of my Beloved is knocking; ’ve grown so comfortable here in my room – Outside, in the cold, I hear Him talking. “Arise, and come away with Me, My love,” He tenderly calls to me, but I waver. Though due to my sin, He withdraws Himself; Yet, in the night air, I still smell His savour. Slowly, I rise, but can’t feel His presence: The dark street seems so desolate and empty; I cannot find where my Beloved has gone – My own lukewarmness made Him depart from me. The watchmen of the city wounded me sore, They tore my veil away and left me senseless; Stripped of my covering, there was nowhere to hide; My own compromise had left me defenseless. My heart leaped in anguish and I cried out in fear; Repentant, I sought Him whom my soul loveth; No longer desiring to be left on my own, Quickened again, I called out for my Beloved. “What is thy Beloved more than another beloved?” The daughters of Jerusalem wondered, “Where has He gone, that we may seek Him with you?” And then, within my heart, the answer thundered: “My Beloved is gone down into His garden,” Feeding among His children, He meets with them there – I am still my Beloved’s, and He is still mine! Rejoicing, restored, I seek Him now in prayer. May 9th, 2022 Jerry Bouey In the Song of Solomon, Solomon, the Shepherd, is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and the woman in the song, the Shulamite, represents the believer. This poem is based mostly on Song of Solomon chapter five, with some references to other verses within that book. That chapter covers a time of backsliding in the believer’s life until she gets her focus back upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and is restored to her Shepherd and Saviour. For a study based on this theme/chapter, please read: Is Your Armour On?

I have not thought much about "humanistic" terms specifically in modern versions, though their approach to choosing manuscripts and translation choices certainly qualify as humanistic - bringing the Bible down to the level of any other human writings, believing certain parts are inspired and others are not, believing there are errors and things that need to be corrected, believing God did not really preserve His Word so they need to find the missing parts or correct the errors using their own humanistic judgement.

I guess you can't read then. I posted part of my reply in reference to that. Are you here to fellowship with other believers or just stir up trouble and slam those who aren't as "woke" or politically correct as you? And people here aren't slamming the victims or stating we should not pray for or be concerned for them - they are responding to you slamming fundamentalism (which as used on these boards means those who take the Bible at face value and believe it fully)* and the believers on these boards. *If you do not believe the Bible is the Word of God and every word of it is true, if you do not believe in the "fundamentals of the faith", then you are not saved and you will find you will not fit in here at all.

The word "perfect" in the Bible means complete or mature (ie. spiritually mature when referring to believers). Believers are considered "perfect" in Christ already (look up the word in all its New Testament uses), and Jesus was "completed/perfected" by His sufferings during the years of His earthly ministry (specifically referring to His suffering and death upon the cross, but may also include His time in Gethsemane) - we are not waiting for the "perfect" Jesus to be here, He already was. Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; The New Testament was "perfected/completed" in about the year AD 96, when the final book of the whole Bible was penned by the Apostle John.