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First, I dont think you understand the Biblical concept of a “covenant.” A covenant is an agreement by two parties. God is always faithful to his end of the covenant. Yet that doesn’t mean that human beings are, or have been. We may be faithless but God is not. This doesn’t mean that we do...

Again, I think there is a real tendency in this discussion from some to use metaphor in ways that stretch them beyond what they actually are intending to say. Yes, Jesus purchased us. Yes, Jesus redeemed us. This doesn’t mean that someone who ceases to trust and believe him cannot fall away...

Yeah, i hear you. Obviously some of this stuff is beyond our comprehension. I just brought it up because some were trying to use the 1:1 correlation of physical realities exactly describing spiritual realities. I thought this was a good example of that. Clearly “firstborn“ in reference to...

Id also add, I wasn’t trying to be disparaging. I just thought it was a strange turn in the conversation. Most cults tend to focus on the nature of Christ and turning away from the historic Christian view on the issue (i.e. man or angel, not God, one of many gods/brother of Satan, etc.)

I agree he was not always “the Son” and the begotten is also referencing his incarnation. Prior to the incarnation he is referred to as “the Word.” However, I think the primary meaning refers to him being the heir.

I dont think you read my response very closely. I said that the firstborn references to Christ have to do with his status as heir (firstborn in ancient times was the primary heir of the father’s estate) and not as his being “begotten“ in the sense of coming into existence.

The scripture is about God’s forgiveness. There is no salvation without forgiveness. There is no forgiveness without mercy. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. I believe Jesus means what he says and is not being hyperbolic or referring to the old covenant. He is...

It would seem that is what Jesus and scripture indicate.

I think this is a both/and type of situation. I understand what you are saying, that someone cannot accidentally sin one too many times and lose their salvation, etc. However, I do think most people lose their salvation unintentionally. I dont think a passionate believer just wakes up one day...

Well, Mormons and JWs would both claim to answer that question. JW’s deny the divinity of Christ and thus believe he was begotten in a literal sense. Mormons are not monotheists so they would also lessen the divinity of Christ in this case. I’ve found that most people who dwell on Christ...

Are you a Jehovah’s Witness? This is why I think there is real danger in making 1:1 comparisons between spiritual concepts and physical processes. Jesus being declared to be the only begotten Son of God is not referring to his coming into existence but his status as heir. There are plenty of...

Thanks for responding. I understand you have your convictions and that is fine. We will likely just agree to disagree. Let me just respond to two points you made: While certainly there are some spiritual things that are reflected in physical things, but I think it is overreaching to draw such...

Of course. I appreciate the dialogue. Let me try to answer the reasonable questions you posted… Can a person who has born physically be unborn? I agree someone cannot be physically unborn. However, a person who can be born again in Christ can walk away from Christ. Scripture is replete with...

I think the fundamental issue you are having is with regards to the nature of salvation and “who” is ultimately saved. There is one saved person. One firstborn Son of God. One person who has received the inheritance from God the Father. For Hebrews states clearly, Thus, an individual is...

So what do you think it means if God says someone can have their name blotted out of the book of life? It seems to me that their name WAS in the book of life (they had life) and it was blotted out (they no longer have it). Or, if someone “falls from grace” it means they had received grace...

Again, supporting your point with those Scriptures would be helpful so we can discuss the Bible’s teaching on these matters.

If you could post those Scriptures, that would be helpful. I’m not sure the teaching on this is as clear as you propose…as I certainly have never seen a Scripture that supports this position.

I am not trying to be mean. If you are reading it that way, I apologize. First, I dont think there is any biblical support for your distinction between faith and belief. In the Greek, faith and belief are the same word. The reason I responded the way I did is because my question was whether...

I am not sure the point that is being made. Church leaders are called to “oversee” the flock. This includes both feeding and sheparding. Paul called the elders to “protect the flock of God“ against “wolves” and other dangers. It concerns me that so many today are dismissive of the high...

Romans 10:17 - Hearing the word of God is not the same as receiving faith. Certainly someone must hear in order to believe, but the preaching of the word does not mandate or bestow faith. Belief is an individual‘s response to hearing. Many who hear do not believe. So it cannot be said that...