I hope this answers you mainly re: what you say is "most peculiar" to you: Assuming the continuing discussion re: assurance, reflecting on Scriptures like 1John3:3 and the idea of purifying ourselves in light of the future He has clearly communicated to His sons, I see the biblical relationship as cooperative: God provides assurance and works in us through His Word, Spirit, and in Christ, and we live that out by actively responding, pursuing holiness, and purifying ourselves. This lived relationship is part of the assurance, which also speaks, in my view, to the nature of biblical faith.
Assurance of Salvation
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I hope this answers you mainly re: what you say is "most peculiar" to you: Assuming the continuing discussion re: assurance, reflecting on Scriptures like 1John3:3 and the idea of purifying ourselves in light of the future He has clearly communicated to His sons, I see the biblical relationship as cooperative: God provides assurance and works in us through His Word, Spirit, and in Christ, and we live that out by actively responding, pursuing holiness, and purifying ourselves. This lived relationship is part of the assurance, which also speaks, in my view, to the nature of biblical faith.
So because you feel that your assurance is not false that means you have the "right Jesus" but others who you believe have a false assurance have a "wrong Jesus".
Am I correct?
And that is why truthseeking (humility, openness to learning and changing one's mind) is prior to finding faith in God
as the Author of Truth for those whose opinions are entrenched/over-confident
I see TSing as choosing to believe/have faith in/trust God and to cooperate with His will/word/seed as led by His HS.
IOW, God initiates; sinners cooperate--or not.
Yes, that is true they have assurance and some have tremendous confidence, however is what they have trusted reliable and authentic or have they been deeply indoctrinated through the use of repetition.
I would also agree Christians also allow themselves to be indoctrinated with false teachings through repetition.
The way to avoid having false assurance is start with first principles and build from them.
Yes, and that is what I do in the first lesson of our website:
Introduction Regarding Truthseekers [TSers]
TSers seek to learn the best belief and most logical answer to questions concerning ultimate reality. (Matt. 7:7, John 8:46, 1Cor. 2:6&13)
TSers are grateful to all people including both famous philosophers and anonymous acquaintances who help answer these questions. (Acts 17:26-31, 1Pet. 1:10-12)
TSers share their fallible faith with others, hoping they will find what they have learned helpful for understanding ultimate truth. (1Pet. 3:15b, 1Tim. 2:3-6)
TSers hope the Christian view is correct, because there is no better (credible and desirable) way of attaining heaven than NT theism. (Acts 7:51-53, Rom. 1:16-17)
TSers use logic, because they believe God is One/Logos, so right reasoning leads to all truth, both scientific and spiritual. (Isa. 1:18a, Acts 17:17)
TSers want to learn the best belief, so when a contradictory view is deemed to be better, they change their opinion. (1Cor. 13:11, Heb. 6:1-3)
TSers love everyone and thus want to share knowledge with other truthseekers, so they may fellowship (2Tim. 4:3-4, 1John 1:3).
Part I: Beginning (Unavoidable) Beliefs
My reason for writing this lesson is simply to share my fallible faith with others, hoping they will find what I have learned helpful for understanding ultimate truth. I am grateful to all people—famous philosophers and anonymous acquaintances—who have helped shape my beliefs.
I believe reality is interconnected or unified, so that it is not necessary to worry about where to start exploring, but I will begin by asking the following philosophical question: Is there some truth which is not debatable; which everyone believes at least implicitly and uses as a common point of departure in discussing ultimate reality?
I think there is such axiomatic truth, because in order to study reality it appears that one must (logically or implicitly) begin by assuming at least the reality of the student. Thus, absolute skepticism in philosophy is like absolute zero in physics: it serves as a hypothetical point that is not actually achieved or else nothing would happen (even in ice
.An “ism” affirms some valid part of reality. The truth represented by skepticism is that finite human beings cannot know absolutely, infallibly, perfectly or objectively. I find this truth expressed by the apostle Paul in the NT book of 1Cor. 13:9&12, “We know in part . . . We see but a poor reflection” (as in a fogged mirror).
The element of uncertainty does not prevent would-be skeptics from talking as if knowledge with some degree of confidence were possible the moment they attempt to communicate their doubts. An agnostic has “certain” assumptions at least implicitly: that truth is believable, rational and meaningful, even though unprovable or subjective.
These three affirmations seem to be a priori truth or unavoidable (beginning) beliefs:
1. Truth or reality exists. The classic expression of this belief was by Rene Descartes (d.1650): cogito ergo sum: “I think, therefore I am” (cf. Rodin’s sculpture; thinking is believing). The OT says in Exo. 3:14 that God is “I am” (the essence of existence).
2. (Objective) reality is subjectively known by seekers. David Hume (d. 1776) was a notable proponent of this opinion, and 2Cor. 5:7 expresses this truth by saying, “We live by faith, not by sight” (or proof, cf. 1Cor. 13:9&12 cited previously).
3. Reality is meaningful and communicable or able to be discussed rationally in fellowship with other truthseekers. As Isaiah 1:18a (c.735 B.C.) says, “Come now, let us reason together.” Perhaps whoever invented language should be regarded as the founder of this fact, because the discussion of reality uses language as the means, and in order to communicate sufficiently for attaining agreement or unity, it is necessary to have a common language and cultural context. (I hope that as Earthlings using English these needs are met for you and me
Is it a different word?
Seems the same to me. I think like all the rest of scripture (which you probably disagree with) is that saved people do not always live out they life that God desires they live and God let's that happen
I am not a determinist.
It is not neat and clean, spend time at a downtown mission and you will see how hard it is for some born again believers to live out their salvation with no money, home, family support system they fall back into old habits and one person's escape from a life of sin/anxiety/fear//worldliness does not make it the norm.
The scripture is filled with exhortations to live out one's gift but not everyone does.
4100 [e]
pisteuousin
πιστεύουσιν ,
believe
V-PIA-3P
Yes, and that is what I do in the first lesson of our website:
Introduction Regarding Truthseekers [TSers]
TSers seek to learn the best belief and most logical answer to questions concerning ultimate reality. (Matt. 7:7, John 8:46, 1Cor. 2:6&13)
TSers are grateful to all people including both famous philosophers and anonymous acquaintances who help answer these questions. (Acts 17:26-31, 1Pet. 1:10-12)
TSers share their fallible faith with others, hoping they will find what they have learned helpful for understanding ultimate truth. (1Pet. 3:15b, 1Tim. 2:3-6)
TSers hope the Christian view is correct, because there is no better (credible and desirable) way of attaining heaven than NT theism. (Acts 7:51-53, Rom. 1:16-17)
TSers use logic, because they believe God is One/Logos, so right reasoning leads to all truth, both scientific and spiritual. (Isa. 1:18a, Acts 17:17)
TSers want to learn the best belief, so when a contradictory view is deemed to be better, they change their opinion. (1Cor. 13:11, Heb. 6:1-3)
TSers love everyone and thus want to share knowledge with other truthseekers, so they may fellowship (2Tim. 4:3-4, 1John 1:3).
Part I: Beginning (Unavoidable) Beliefs
My reason for writing this lesson is simply to share my fallible faith with others, hoping they will find what I have learned helpful for understanding ultimate truth. I am grateful to all people—famous philosophers and anonymous acquaintances—who have helped shape my beliefs.
I believe reality is interconnected or unified, so that it is not necessary to worry about where to start exploring, but I will begin by asking the following philosophical question: Is there some truth which is not debatable; which everyone believes at least implicitly and uses as a common point of departure in discussing ultimate reality?
I think there is such axiomatic truth, because in order to study reality it appears that one must (logically or implicitly) begin by assuming at least the reality of the student. Thus, absolute skepticism in philosophy is like absolute zero in physics: it serves as a hypothetical point that is not actually achieved or else nothing would happen (even in ice
An “ism” affirms some valid part of reality. The truth represented by skepticism is that finite human beings cannot know absolutely, infallibly, perfectly or objectively. I find this truth expressed by the apostle Paul in the NT book of 1Cor. 13:9&12, “We know in part . . . We see but a poor reflection” (as in a fogged mirror).
The element of uncertainty does not prevent would-be skeptics from talking as if knowledge with some degree of confidence were possible the moment they attempt to communicate their doubts. An agnostic has “certain” assumptions at least implicitly: that truth is believable, rational and meaningful, even though unprovable or subjective.
These three affirmations seem to be a priori truth or unavoidable (beginning) beliefs:
1. Truth or reality exists. The classic expression of this belief was by Rene Descartes (d.1650): cogito ergo sum: “I think, therefore I am” (cf. Rodin’s sculpture; thinking is believing). The OT says in Exo. 3:14 that God is “I am” (the essence of existence).
2. (Objective) reality is subjectively known by seekers. David Hume (d. 1776) was a notable proponent of this opinion, and 2Cor. 5:7 expresses this truth by saying, “We live by faith, not by sight” (or proof, cf. 1Cor. 13:9&12 cited previously).
3. Reality is meaningful and communicable or able to be discussed rationally in fellowship with other truthseekers. As Isaiah 1:18a (c.735 B.C.) says, “Come now, let us reason together.” Perhaps whoever invented language should be regarded as the founder of this fact, because the discussion of reality uses language as the means, and in order to communicate sufficiently for attaining agreement or unity, it is necessary to have a common language and cultural context. (I hope that as Earthlings using English these needs are met for you and me
You do have lots of good content for sure!
When you have the first principle "saved is saved" I will be thrilled.
My first inclination is to modify this a bit. He implants > we are accountable/responsible > we evaluatively seek when able > we choose to believe or to reject/suppress > assuming believe, then continually seek.
From what I recall, you had the benefit of early guidance for your point/time of ability. That's quite a blessing I'm sure you value.
Yes, real believers do struggle in various ways for various reasons. But my question is about how the text itself classifies the belief in Luke8:13. Jesus describes it as temporary and without root, contrasting it with belief that endures and bears fruit (Luke8:15). So, do you think someone can truly believe in that full NT sense of pistis and then turn away from it, or does that temporary belief indicate it wasn’t genuine pistis to begin with? And more broadly, would you say the Bible itself defines pistis beyond a basic lexical meaning of the word?
You do have lots of good content for sure!
When you have the first principle "saved is saved" I will be thrilled.
You do have lots of good content for sure!
When you have the first principle "saved is saved" I will be thrilled.
Well, the wonderful thing about Truth, is that it is interconnected or unified, so that it is not necessary to worry
about where to start exploring, but I began by asking a philosophical question "Is there some truth which is not debatable?",
following the example of Paul witnessing to the Athenians (Acts 17), because the readers I mainly have in mind in Lesson 1
are atheists, who would not be thrilled with "saved is saved" as a first principle, although given how closed-minded most are,
it is as good a starting place as any to be sure.
As a person who has the gift of synonymity, I have no problem agreeing with your modification.
Implants? Why not just use the correct Biblical term of regeneration or made alive in Christ? Reveals Himself? Spiritual revelation?
By Jesus describing this belief in Luke 8:13 as temporary and without root, then contrasting it with belief that endures and bears fruit in Luke 8:15 speaks for itself. Belief that saves continues and is not some shallow, temporary belief that has no root and bears no fruit. The Greek word for believe "pisteuo" used in Luke 8:13 is also used in James 2:19, in which we read that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe "pisteuo" in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. So, depending on the context, "pisteuo" can describe a belief that falls short of saving belief or describe a saving belief.
So saving belief is the one that endures?
There is only belief in scripture, one cannot believe in and accept the Gift of salvation Christ Jesus offers and not be saved.
And there are no amount of works which can prove that spiritual reality, the works are a testimony and yes they are a choice that is what James was addressing with his Brothers in Christ Jesus.
When I give a gift to someone, they don’t have to work for it or even deserve it.
They can misuse it, abuse it, but it doesn’t change the gift or the giver.
Whenever we get man’s work into the equation, then we have to decide what type of works and how many. And frankly, the Bible doesn’t give us any quota. This confusion would obviously lead to great doubt, spiritual weakness, and fear.
Salvation is by faith alone, by God’s grace alone, His gift alone.
13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
"They believe"
I accept to mean what it states.
The real question is what are they falling away from?