I do have an uncritical approach to Reformed Theologians, and I don't really care about your perspective. I care about the doctrine you teach. I do not base my beliefs on Reformed theology, even though I recognize that its tenets have heavily influenced by beliefs. I base my beliefs on the witness of the holy spirit vis-a-vis the word; the same thing the reformers did.
It is the spirit that gave me witness when I first read your comments that something was seriously wrong. The reason I say that yours and Finney's beliefs are in many respects identical is because when I first read some of Finney's doctrines, I said to myself, 'That's skinski'. IMO you are really desperate or in denial to say otherwise.
I don't argue from a position of reformed theology; you do. I base my arguments on what the word says as witnessed by the spirit. You apparently are helpless in that regard because you have only been able to argue from the perspective of your contrived theological framework that requires reams of text to make the simplest point. Your are completely lost without the laundry list of talking points and dubious theological connections built upon fallacies that you have devised. I don't need a framework; I have the spirit of truth residing within me who witnesses to the truth in the word.
As this thread progresses, we will see if your claim that your and his beliefs aren't virtually identical.
I am very interested to hear your perspective on what "having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" means?
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
My understanding is that when we come to Christ through repentance and faith we lay aside our old way of doing things and therefore submit ourselves to God. Thus we are no longer being led around by the natural passions of the human body as our god but rather yield our body as a living sacrifice to God.
Thus...
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he
no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For
ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that
our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also
we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
In all the time I have posted on this forum I don't believe I have seen a single response ever address "having escaped the corruption in the world through lust." The reason for this, in my mind, is that most people believe such a thing is impossible whilst we are in flesh bodies due to an underlying belief of inward depravity inherited from Adam thus they simply ignore all the verses in regards to a manifest state of the old man being crucified with the passions and desires.
Care to address it? Or will you let it slide off and speak about something else?
