The problem of the statement of “never saved to begin with”

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studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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"Nor anything created" is a better translation. You and I are created. So we cannot separate ourselves from Him. We are His Body. We cannot disembody the Lord Jesus Christ.
Still would be good to know what translation is being used. And part of my response was not paying close enough attention, so my apology.

The language is about others separating us from God's love. It's really forcing the language to include our separating ourselves.
 

Kroogz

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Dec 5, 2023
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Still would be good to know what translation is being used. And part of my response was not paying close enough attention, so my apology.

The language is about others separating us from God's love. It's really forcing the language to include our separating ourselves.
Nah, it's forcing the language of "Nor anything created" to include something created. Pretty simple......But not to one who forces loss of salvation in the scripture.

Nothing created can separate us from Christ. That includes created beings like me and you.
 

studier

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Raised as a OSAS Baptist, I was chagrined to learn that my favorite HS senior English teacher had been a Christian minister but was now "agnostic" and a year later (1968) in college when a friend became an atheist, so I asked my parents for a modern English Bible for Christmas and they gave me a NEB that was recently published, which I read through taking notes in the margins and repeated that study in the TEV, NIV and ASB Bibles through the years--thusly I learned from my own studies.

My church was not dogmatic about OSAS, and my dad was an engineer who when I asked him why he was a Christian said simply, "because it is the best belief"--hence the title of the first lesson on our website, which I created with the help of my son Paul in 2005. This is why I take a logical and scientific or systematic approach to interpreting Scripture, which I find the apostle Paul advocates.

Unless Bob Wilkin is my age, I think I probably learned what is on the video before he did, so I have not watched it yet.

Re RBT, yes I replied on CC with info learned from him three times recently regarding how God answers prayer, spiritual breathing and that the Greek precludes viewing Peter as the foundation of the church.
You use language like "spiritual dynamics" that RBT uses. Maybe coincidence but most of the time I can spot someone who has been taught by him by some phrases he used.

Interesting how some of us came to a point of walking out of the traditions and just studied the Text.

I'm familiar with Wilkin and some who became involved in his group. Within the first minute of the video, I was done, but I watched all of it. I'm sure you know the interpretive patterns of these traditions. They're all repetitive in disagreement with one another. I found it better to be a free agent and agree or disagree with anyone based upon a read or some exegetical effort in the Text. It seems that's where you went also.
 

studier

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Nah, it's forcing the language of "Nor anything created" to include something created. Pretty simple......But not to one who forces loss of salvation in the scripture.

Nothing created can separate us from Christ. That includes created beings like me and you.
I understand the thinking, but the language is something separating us from God's love and not us separating.

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 (command) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21 NKJ)
 

Kroogz

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I understand the thinking, but the language is something separating us from God's love and not us separating.

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 (command) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21 NKJ)
Doesn't negate the fact that nothing created can separate us......That includes created beings like me and you.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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You use language like "spiritual dynamics" that RBT uses. Maybe coincidence but most of the time I can spot someone who has been taught by him by some phrases he used.

Interesting how some of us came to a point of walking out of the traditions and just studied the Text.

I'm familiar with Wilkin and some who became involved in his group. Within the first minute of the video, I was done, but I watched all of it. I'm sure you know the interpretive patterns of these traditions. They're all repetitive in disagreement with one another. I found it better to be a free agent and agree or disagree with anyone based upon a read or some exegetical effort in the Text. It seems that's where you went also.
Yes I did. Based upon my disappointment that my church education left me unprepared to defend my faith, I felt my calling was to do what I could to help others also become better apologetes so they would not fail to persevere (like my teacher and friend).

Maybe I did learn the term spiritual dynamics from RBT. Did he also teach that in EPH 1 what is predestined is God's plan to save all who repent and become "in Christ"?

Being a free agent also means being a black sheep or lone wolf (saying this is risky) and not being on the same wavelength as those who are content with pastors who entertain more than teach and with home fellowship or prayer groups rather than wanting Sunday School to do systematic Bible study--which is what I think would be the solution to my perceived problem, but I have had limited success leading folks to that water, much less getting them to drink it.

(Some on CC seem to think it is kool-aid :^)
 

studier

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Yes I did. Based upon my disappointment that my church education left me unprepared to defend my faith, I felt my calling was to do what I could to help others also become better apologetes so they would not fail to persevere (like my teacher and friend).

Interesting to know what you experienced that helped turn you. I had a few things myself that made me look seriously into the Word for answers to things I'd been taught that had never made sense.

Maybe I did learn the term spiritual dynamics from RBT. Did he also teach that in EPH 1 what is predestined is God's plan to save all who repent and become "in Christ"?

I don't recall. But FG certainly does not see predestination as Reformed does.

Being a free agent also means being a black sheep or lone wolf (saying this is risky) and not being on the same wavelength as those who are content with pastors who entertain more than teach and with home fellowship or prayer groups rather than wanting Sunday School to do systematic Bible study--which is what I think would be the solution to my perceived problem, but I have had limited success leading folks to that water, much less getting them to drink it.

Agree. It seems few will just be content with what the Word says. The draw by worldly things and social enjoyment is powerful and in our time well-integrated into the model of church.

(Some on CC seem to think it is kool-aid :^)
Response interlineated.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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Response interlineated.
I invite you to help lead the systematic study of Ephesians on that thread if you are interested.
(I envision my role to be that of editing everyone's translation and commentary into a conflated
version that makes everyone happy :^)
 
Feb 15, 2025
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Above in bold.

The loss of salvation crowd will overlook this. They say they can walk away. They can "jump" out of the Lord Jesus Christs hand....Like they are not part of the CREATION.

They like to call themselves His Sheep. But His sheep NEVER perish. An oxymoron to the utmost.

We CANNOT call ourselves His sheep if we think we can perish.
I would wonder how anyone could ever insist,but they do none the less, that their will to return to damnation is always in all ways going to be mightier than Gods will to eternally redeem and save them to life.
 

studier

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I would wonder how anyone could ever insist,but they do none the less, that their will to return to damnation is always in all ways going to be mightier than Gods will to eternally redeem and save them to life.
Isn't it obvious to you that even some who read that someone can fall away does not mean they think that all will?

There are interpretive choices being made one of which says the warnings and commands in the NC have real meaning and are not just for effect.

Among those who see the warnings and commands as real there are some who know that apart from Grace and what God has done, is doing, and will do, there is no way for a Christian to reach the goal of glorification, let alone having such a goal set before them as a gift.

When we read of the elders casting their crowns at His feet in Rev4, do you think that men cannot know and revel in the knowledge and understanding of how they came to have crowns to cast?

We have become way too enamored with our cliquish denominational camps.
 

studier

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I invite you to help lead the systematic study of Ephesians on that thread if you are interested.
(I envision my role to be that of editing everyone's translation and commentary into a conflated
version that makes everyone happy :^)
Was reading it when you & @PaulThomson were getting started. Decided to not jump in because for one reason I'd want to stay focused and not be moving to other threads where there is so much of whatever it is that's there.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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Was reading it when you & @PaulThomson were getting started. Decided to not jump in because for one reason I'd want to stay focused and not be moving to other threads where there is so much of whatever it is that's there.
I think you mean because Cameron was taking up your time? :^)

BTW, you might be interested to know that I know how Augustine preserved free will for the elect although not love for the non-elect.
He said God foreknows what choices souls will make and presented the elect with choices that they would freely choose to believe and become saved. Unfortunately, God did not do that for everyone, but Calvin did not even teach volition.
 
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Too bad. I was going to ask you for the prescription. Now it just sounds like you're working for your salvation:)
Yes, just like Peter did per 2PT 3:17 and Paul per 1CR 15:58 & 16:13, 2CR 1:21&24, GL 5:1-5.
(Have you asked CC for the Bible lookup yet? :^)
 

studier

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Apr 18, 2024
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BTW, you might be interested to know that I know how Augustine preserved free will for the elect although not love for the non-elect. He said God foreknows what choices souls will make and presented the elect with choices that they would freely choose to believe and become saved. Unfortunately, God did not do that for everyone, but Calvin did not even teach volition.
That's quite the theory he came up with. The proponents of such an Election probably think it makes sense. Seems he may have made a good political progressive in our time.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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That's quite the theory he came up with. The proponents of such an Election probably think it makes sense. Seems he may have made a good political progressive in our time.
Well, he influenced Calvin who makes sense to many posters on CC in our time,
(but it is problematic to call that progress IMO :^)