Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 101

Hello Free,

No, I do not believe that God in His nature changes. All that He is as a self-existent, sovereign, infinite, and being always remains the same. Internally so, God is always perfect in all aspects of His nature therefore there is no need for any adjustment, improvements, or gaining of any aspect of any attribute.

God's actions within creation and history have a mutable aspect in that He can change what He will do in any situation as He sees fit. But this is different than His nature which never changes.

I do hope that Gerald will get back to me and respond. I always welcome people giving clarification to what they have stated that they believe as far as doctrine. We all have need for refinement of our understanding of the doctrines of the faith passed down to us by the Lord and the apostles. Discussing our understanding together in respectful and truly sincere interest does some of this refinement as the Holy Spirit guides our thinking to helps our minds, intellect, reasoning, knowledge, and convictions align with that of Jesus more and more as our time here in this life continues.

I did not grow up knowing much about the topics of election, predestination and what God decreed to come to be in eternity past. But as I read more and more of Scripture I came upon statements that spoke of "before the foundation of the world" too often to neglect seeking better understanding. Soon I will to post what I have grown to understand about these things. I am committing it all to prayer at present before I begin to post.

Free, sometimes it helps to read another's post a few times before we respond and also to read what our own responses back before we post to be sure that we are clearly communicating our thinking on the ideas presented. I need to do the latter more often, but I do usually re-read what someone posts before I begin to respond.

Thank you Free,

I am coping well with just a half pill of pain med during the day and I slept well last night, too.

Just have to not do too strenuous from day to day to get the healing going well.

I have to laugh at the way this injury occurred. Wanted to let my little Rosie down into her crib gently.

Hubby will need to do that part for a while so I do not strain the muscles and ligaments supporting the rib.

I do appreciate your prayers for me. I know that the Lord will bring healing in His way in this. He is faithful.

Dear Jesusgirl87

Good for you for inquiring on this topic for yourself. You are in my prayers over this tension in your marriage. I can only imagine how disturbing it must be to both of you.

My husband and I have never had that kind of rift between us in all these years as we think alike on matters that are truly important.

Here is a funny thing that happened many years ago. We were discussing some topic and my husband told me, "I know why I married you, because you think like a man. I laughed at that, was not offended at all, and said that what he said is probably true because if I thought like a woman I probably would want to slap him. We had a good laugh about that and revisit it every once in a while. I am sure he said that because I am very matter-of-fact, logical, and do not let my emotions get in the way of discussing topics. I guess being this way would be pretty similar to how men think they are but I do have women friends who are very similar to me. We laugh at this story, too.

I am so sorry for the grief you are experiencing. I pray that the Lord will give you a calm and peaceful mental and emotional state in these last few months of your pregnancy. Pretty soon your baby will be in your arms and then the joy of this new life and the reality of how sacrificial parenting is and will continue to be begins to gel for both Mom and Dad.

For me, parenting was so so enjoyable for me. I was able to stay home and "mom" our boys 24/7 until our youngest was 12 or so. The sacrifices we made to provide a loving Christian environment were valued by us and we were happy to do so for all those years. I even hated sending my kiddos to school every September to be taught by someone I did not really know. Perhaps I am not the norm in this. One of my friends was the same way raising her kids.

But you and your husband will find your own way to do this life work for the Lord and for the sake of your children. I pray that you can set this disagreeing on this topic aside.

Acts 2:38 is not your mail, it belongs to the jews only.

You must rightly divide the word... 2nd Tim. 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Our mail as gentiles comes from Paul...

Romans11:13

"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." - Paul's own declaration

Acts9:15

"This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." - God's commission of Paul

Acts22:21 & Acts26:17-18

"Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles."

"From the Gentiles-to whom I am sending you" - Reaffirming his mission to the Gentiles

Galatians2:7-9

Paul recounts: "James, Cephas, and John gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised [Jews]." - Church recognition of his distinct role

Ephesians3:8

Paul states: "to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" - Emphasizing his calling and the scope of his ministry

1Timothy2:7

"For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." - Paul's self-identification

Summary Table of Key References

ScriptureContextRole Affirmed

Romans11:13Paul addressing Gentile believersExplicit self-identification

Acts9:15 Commission by Christ to AnaniasDivine mandate to Gentiles

Acts22 & 26Paul recounting his calling in defense or testimonyRepeated confirmation of his assignment

Galatians 2:7-9Jerusalem Council fellowship and allocation of ministryRecognition by other apostles

Ephesians3:8Paul's summation of his divine missionPreaching "unsearchable riches"

1Timothy2:7Paul's declaration to a younger church leaderOfficial title "apostle of the Gentiles"

Hello Gigi,

And thank you for taking the time to respond to me!! I appreciate it very much. And definitely will be praying that the Lord will help me to deal with my Husband in a way that is honoring to him and the Lord. This whole situation started about 6 years ago when we were attending a Calvinist Church, by the way that I did love, but did not know at the time they were reformed, until we attended a Bible study at the Pastor's house. And he stated that they were all Calvinist but not hyper Calvinist. I thought in my mind, what is that?? And mentioned it to my Husband after and he didn't even recall the Pastor saying that. But from there I had to find out what it was about, which has lead to years of studying the Scriptures, listening to both sides and hearing/ reading about Calvinism from all different views. And coming to the conclusion that I personally can't support that view with my own study of the Word. I have absolutely no problem with people holding other views than me, I actually celebrate the fact of independent thought. But I also respect the fact that we all will not agree and I have learned in my walk with the Lord that you cannot force someone to believe what you believe. So if someone asks my opinion I will give it but I have also learned that my opinion is always needed or warranted so I try to keep things to myself. I love my Husband He is a great man, and I love his zeal, but it being aimed at me non stop is crushing my spirit.

Thank you very much for your answer "Chris", I agree. Hope that all churches can grow up to see this great distinction between one who has sinned, and a church that can judge. God bless you and yours. John 3

Hi, you have received many good answers here. I would still like to give you a few words.

If you want to give it time, it's nothing to worry about. You think differently, so what. Because in the context of faith it's about authority. Your husband should have authority. And then you should follow that. But then we have an important truth that your husband must take into account. If he is not the man the Lord wants him to be, what is there between you? True, think about it. Does your husband carry you through the days, does he honor you as a weaker vessel, is he kind and thoughtful. He lifts you up and supports you in your interests going forward. If not, he will not get answers to his prayers. It is clear and obvious. 1 Pet 3:7 When he then encounters resistance, what do you think he will do? You know not everyone agrees with the Lutheran position either. You are not that different. I get the impression that your husband demands that you believe as he does and then there are opinions that are difficult to deal with. You must always support each other and build each other up, never tear each other down or destroy. The two things in the world that are the most difficult to discuss are child rearing and religion. I advise you not to talk about it, as long as you two are so biased in your own confession of faith. Since this is not a new topic for you, I also believe that there may be a certain pride or selfishness to prove to the pet and the cretin that "I have something that you don't have, type". Everything that exalts itself is pride, we can pray against that. "Pride disappear into the deepest darkness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen". Then we are talking about childishness which also through the study of God's Word will make man grow in knowledge. I am sure that if you are willing to search in the Spirituality yourself, the answers will come. And I wish you luck, nothing is as valuable as having someone you can trust in this life. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Here is something to meditate about: Apostleship of Jesus covers heaven earth and lower parts. As a memorial we have the 24 elders before the throne.

"The 24 elders along with the four beasts form a body. These elders four and twenty in number are memorial to the gospel of God was preached in heaven, in earth and in the lower parts. (3x8=24). "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus (Heb.3:1)"

2.

The Scripture gives examples to apostleship prior to the Advent of the Son. When God appeared in a dream to Jacob on the eve of his departure to Egypt, His promise was this, "And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation./I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again(Gen.46.3-4)"

Jacob thus sent Judah first to Joseph in Egypt to inform of his coming. Judah in a manner of speaking represented Jacob. Judah was his apostle. With two sons born to Joseph in Egypt how many went with Jacob to Egypt? Seventy in all, is it not? The Holy Spirit gives us the same as the other disciples that Jesus sent to preach. ( Lk. 10.1)

This foreshadows the apostleship of his 'only begotten Son. The words that he spoke during his earthly ministry were not his own but of his Father. "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak (Jn.12:49)".

Correspondingly God separates people for service as St Paul was called to be an apostle. "The Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them ( Acts 3.2)". By principle of Association we are all His associates. (Mt.10.40; "6 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me,"-Lk.10.16)

We pray, dear God take away this pain in the ribs in Jesus name, Amen

Hello again GiGi, unfortunately I am too quick to answer. I have to calm down now sorry. And I have to add a word here, even though I have the total conviction that "Gerald" can answer for himself.

The selection God takes into account is the difference between hate and love. He cannot tolerate, see, injustice. We are talking about a selection that explains evil. Everything that stands against the Lord Almighty God. He cannot see. GB

Hi GiGi, peace. now I think you are writing a bit strange here. It is just as if you are describing God as changeable. Jesus brother James 1:17 describes God like this. For the Lord does not do, does not decide, does not make rules like we do. That means He saw us in His image when He created everything. Think about it, in all things it is so overwhelming that it is impossible for me to see how big it is. In the Old Testament we see that He could change. In the New Testament we see Jesus working, He can change things, but I am not so sure about that, not the basic things. But what is good to know is that He is in control. See: An answer to prayer when you talk to the Lord, and He knows all thoughts, motivates everything. And suddenly we are there one with Him. Believe then that is the most important moment for every christian. And know, get confirmation that the life of faith is alive. Stay close to Jesus Joh 3

Thanks for the answer, sorry I don't think manically like that. But I think it is important to have a lively debate about the Word of God. And what is said. I wish you a good holiday and that you get a full renewal and strength for new challenges for the Lord Jesus. John 3:8

Hello Free. The account given in 1 Corinthians chap 5 is only one example of a very sad indictment against the quality of believers in that Church. The way I understand Paul's response to that evil act & that man's ongoing relationship, was clearly to cast out (disfellowship) that perpetrator of evil so that the Name of Christ & His Church be not shamed.

And Paul actually condemns the Church as well, not as those engaging in such an act, but as being "puffed up" (v2), or becoming proud & aligning with such behavior. But the apostle lays his condemnation against that man who defiled his father's bed, by engaging with his mother, or more likely, his step-mother. Paul stated that rather than being proud of this deed, the Church should have consigned this sinner into Satan's domain (the world), that perchance he might come to his senses, repent of his evil relationship, and be restored into fellowship; or else, that he be punished that his end might be death. Remembering that in those days, as the Church was in its infancy & being established, the LORD took very strict & swift action for such sins; we can think of Acts 5:1-11 (of Ananias & Sapphira). Fortunately for the Church today, or maybe, unfortunately, judgement against sin is not so immediate, but we do have the Holy Spirit's persevering with us, or else we must suffer.

The sequel to 1 Corinthians 5 is found in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, where apparently the Corinthian Church did take action against that man, by way of some punishment. But now Paul says, that even though he had a very heavy heart in this matter & probably other matters concerning that Church, the matter most pressing now was that this sinner has learnt his lesson and needs to be forgiven & received that further sorrow should not overwhelm him. All this serves to us a beautiful example of our need to be watchful for creeping-in sin, but if we fall, expect discipline, be quick to turn away from sin, and be restored into sweet fellowship.

Dear believers in Jesus,

I am taking a break from this forum for a while. I have a vacation coming up and some editing to a work which I believe is all done inspired by God and by grace I have written down. May God of all mercies rule our hearts and minds keep safe for His kingdom,

Free,

Let these words do not hold you up, Pass over,. It made me meditate and it may work for some.

oopss, it is my lowest left rib.

It is late and I am getting tired. Will come here back tomorrow, Lord willing.

Pt.-3

It seems to me that if God did indeed, in eternity past looked ahead into history to see who would believe and then elected those, God's choice was dependent on the choices of individual persons and therefore, God would have had to gain knowledge from history to make His choice, which goes against Him being omniscient, knowing all things at once, and never needing to gain any new knowledge that what He possessed prior to creation. And if His election of persons was dependent on what creatures would choose this would go against His sovereignty-that His depends on nothing created, being outside of Himself.

Since Scriptures clearly teach that unregenerate persons cannot CHOOSE to believe without grace which is given when one who is DEAD in sin is made alive in Christ (regenerated) and thus brought to faith and repentance after becoming alive from being dead in sin and enemies of God. So, no unregenerated person can ever choose to have faith in Jesus. It is impossible. We must be born again and given all that is needed to be brought to belief and salvation by God and Him alone.

I guess it may just come down to some of the questions Paul posits in Romans 9 as to whether God is just, whether He has the absolute right to do as He pleases with the same lump of clay (all humanity) as to election and reprobation, and our response to Paul's answers to the questions he posited. It also comes down to whether or not we truly trust God to make all these decision without ay input from any of us and whether we believe that He is truly good in all thing and all that He chooses is truly good and is truly all-wise and right in His own counsel, and if His choices being based on His good pleasure for His own glory is something we gladly embrace or fight against. Also, I think that it comes down to whether we will sacrifice our insistence of possessing a will that is free to choose to believe in Jesus or not, our own autonomy and authority to be our own boss to submit to God.

Gerald,

Pt. 2

I believe that election, predestination, and salvation is all monergistic, which means that God is the only one who works these things and He does so without any willingness to be saved on the part of any human. It was all according to God's eternal decree and purpose that was all from God and none from man.

God does all things for His own glory as a primacy for His will and action. By decreeing all who would be elected according to His good pleasure, freedom, and wisdom completely without any aspect of man's will or willingness to believe, what He decreed will surely come to pass because of His omniscience and omnipotence.

It took me a very long time to come to accept these things but the more I read Ephesians and Romans, I came to know these things to be true. Our sinful nature rises up in defiance against a decree that is completely irrespective of what man may choose and made completely independently of any aspect of any human action of will. But I did come to this belief by studying Scripture on this subject. And this happened to me long before I ever had read anything on what Calvin taught or Luther or Arminius.

My recent studying of Calvinism and Lutheranism and Arminianism (since 2020) only confirms what I had already come to believed from studying Scripture alone. Prior to this I really did not know much about any of these "isms".

I know that you do not believe as I do and I believe that there is room on this forum for us to present our own understandings of doctrines and Scriptures. We are all growing and learning over time because the Holy Spirit does have a good end for each of us so He builds us up in the faith taught in Scriptures. If you can show me where in Scriptures it teaches that God based election on looking down into time to see whom would believe the Gospel, then I may give your perspective more consideration and prayer.

See Pt. 3

Hello Gerald,

In regards to Peter, it always comforts me to know his response to Jesus in John 6 (I believe) when asked if he (Peter) and the other apostles would leave Jesus just as many were because of Jesus' teaching in that chapter. Peter said, "To whom else shall we go, for You have the words of eternal life." This is a conviction and truth that helps us to stay with Jesus even when things look "twisted" or uncertain or difficult. We stay with Him because we are the elect of God and cannot be snatched out of His hand because the Father has drawn us to Jesus and the Spirit has regenerated us. We truly have no one else to turn to but our Savior!

I respect your point of view on election, but I do not find anywhere in Scripture that teaches that God in eternity past ever chose to elect anyone because He foresaw the one who would believe.

In fact, Rom. 9:10-13 says that Jacob was loved (and chosen), not Esau, even before either had done anything good or evil. Several verse later ( Rom. 9:15-16) Paul tells us that God's choice of whom to show mercy was not based on the will of any man or anything in man but solely based in God's own counsel, as Eph. 1:1-11 tells us. And later in Rom. 9:20-23 we are told that God elected some to salvation and others to wrath for the purpose of to show both His wrath to those not elected and mercy to those He chose to elect -decisions that He made beforehand. This was decreed not because of foreseen faith but because of God foreknowingly loved before creation ( Eph. 1:3-6) None of these verses teach that election was made based upon foreseen faith. And Romans 3:9-11 clearly teaches that no one prior to regeneration and faith is able to choose salvation nor seek after God because all unregenerated people are unable to do so due to our will being enslaved to sin. ( Rom. 6:17; 7:5) Apart from God's grace, unregenerated humans can only choose NOT to believe the Gospel but can ONLY choose that which is sinful.

See part2

Dear Richard,

I will continue to pray for all your requests made here. It is such a good blessing to be able to use this forum for building one another up, but most importantly, to bring glory to God.

I have a prayer request.

Yesterday I injured my lowest right rib while placing my granddaughter, Rosie, in her crib for a nap. Being as short as I am (4'10") even with the side being at its lowest possible level, it is hard for me to lay her down easily while reaching over the rail as it does not come to my waist/hip level like most people when they bend over a crib rail. So my left rib caught caught over the top of the rail and it was pulled out from my body. It was sore by evening and was painful throughout the night.

I went to Urgent Care this morning and thankfully the x-ray did not show a significant break in the rib. The doctor was relieved at that because a compound fracture could easily puncture a lung and cause it to collapse. What he concluded was that the rib is either bruised badly or there may be an unseen hairline break. The bruise case would take about three weeks to resolve, if that is the case, but a hairline break would take about 6 weeks to heal. So, the timing that it comes to as far as relief from pain will indicate which of the two is the case. Thankfully, the pain meds given helped to day with pain relief. I am only taking a half of a pill as I only have 18 and I hope that half a pill will give enough relief so that I can have enough to cover a few weeks ad see if things seem to be healed by then. If not, I will be going back in to the doctor.

The doctor said I need to be sure to keep taking full breaths as often as I can even if it is painful to prevent build up of fluid in my lungs that ca lead to pneumonia. Such a case would present with a cough, fever, or shortness of breath.

Please pray for a quick recovery without complications and that my husband truly steps up in lifting and carrying Rosie and with putting her down for a nap.

Hello again,

I meant presented to you, not resented in my first response to you.

Dear Jesusgirl87 again,

I wish to continue here as I ran out of room on my first post.

Asking your husband to refrain from beating you up with his Calvinism and instead trust the Holy Spirit to help you to understand the topic better. Also, you can let him know you are willing to talk about what you are thinking about what you learn when YOU are willing to converse about it using your Bible and notes you have compiled with your "AHA's" and questions. Ask him to treat your opinions with respect and to also give you credit for having a good mind that the Spirit is sanctifying to become the mind of Christ just like he has. And tell him that you commit to doing likewise to him. These remarks spoken in a calm way with sincerity and honesty may open doors to better communication.

And lastly, ask him to study your theological approach for himself so as to gain understanding of why you believe as you do. In this way, you both will be honoring one another's thinking processes under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and also each will grow in your openness to another's viewpoint that you at the present disagree on. I cannot say what you both will eventually embrace as a theological mindset based on the Scriptures but I do know that the Holy Spirit will increase your harmony as

a couple and will bring to your relationship movement towards consensus on doctrines that truly matter as believers.

I will be praying for you, your husband and your baby. Do not chock up your high emotions in this matter to being pregnant. That is a cop-out that too many use to excuse behaviors that really should be tempered by the Holy Spirit. But I do understand your concern for your baby. Just know that the things you disagree on in this situation do not need to be "solved" right away or even before your baby is born, or for quite some time when your baby is very young. What need to be solved over time is how each of you react to one another that leads to screaming, hurt feelings, and anger.

Dear Jesusgirl87,

My husband ad I have been married 45 years and both of our spiritual understanding of Scripture principles have grow and changed over the years. God is at work in each believer to bring them to correct knowledge of the truth of His Word. This also is in store for you and your husband as you continue to love, honor, ad submit to one another as you walk as one in the Lord and agree together to live a life of obedience to God and His Word both individually and as a couple who has been united in marriage.

My suggestion to you is to pray for the Lord to give you a heart of submissiveness to your husband as he has been given to you to be your spiritual head. It is not always easy for us women to submit to our husband but we are instructed to do so in God's Word. However, this submission is a mutual affair. We are to submit to one another as the Lord leads and guides us by his Spirit.

So, neither you nor your husband are the ultimate "head" in your marriage, Jesus is.

When we disagree within our marriage we personally should pray for God to humble us, to give us a meekness that does not attack the other or their viewpoint, to have a teachable spirit, and to be driven to God's Word as the final authority.

I also would like to suggest that you begin to study Calvinistic theology from Calvinists. There are many sites that you can use to search what Calvinism truly teaches. Most people who oppose it strongly have not done this but just go on distorted perceptions of what this theological approach teaches. I suggest that you pray for a mindset that will set aside you strong points of disagreement and give this approach a truly fair chance to be resented to you. You may come to still disagree with it or you may be convinced on what Calvinism presets on some or many points.

As for your husband, instead of getting into a battle over this, you can inform him that you are going to study Calvinism for yourself and ask him to give you room and time to do so

There is more that I could say and add as to Calvin's own behaviors; and that of Luthor also; they weren't exactly congenial if you have done any research on it. Also Calvin actually didn't come up with the whole TULIP anacronism; and there are some doubts he seemed to have on the limited atonement business.

I was in a rather hypercalvanist group for a while when I was still in Pittsburgh. It was a home church; which if you were in the area you'd probably recognize as they were very faithful in regular evangelism and taking trips to other cities on occasion. I have seen anger issues over the subject and again; that fits into my statement where people place election and predestination as something idolized and elevated above the overall context of scripture.

I have a suspicion but this may just be my own experience in the past; but there is a tendancy to have a Post Millenial point of view in this situation. It was on my mind today as there is in general a "religious" spirit that allows for certain obsessive mindsets to develop.

If I have to surrender my own convictions on the subject to maintain communication here; that is your call; I pretty much believe in the concepts in scripture of Predestination and the five points. Proper context as to what something actually means is important and I would also say that I don't think God has a problem with people having the ability to make choices or "free will" within certain parameters. Of course we don't know all the secret counsels of God ( Deut. 29:29) a good verse to remember.

In short for me it gives me assurance with those I and others have tried to reach that God knows at least who comes to Him and who doesn't. In no way should that stop prayer or evangelism.

I will pray you find some local fellowship. Discussion among other men can be helpful; also check out other home Bible studies.

Hope I haven't said too much and hope to continue to hear from you.

Agape; Rich P

Hi Jesus Girl,

Like you, I do not believe Calvinism is true but I don't see it as such a big deal as you. You made it this far to marry and have kids- maybe you never discussed it before, proving that it already wasn't that important of an issue to you before. Many Christians have differing views on this and many are married and attend the same churches. Do you know if you disagree with all 5 pillars or just some? I think the 2 biggest are them believing they don't have freewill and not believing Jesus died for everyone like 1 John 2:2 says. You probably disagree with way more than just that if you actually read through the whole Bible together and line by line compared your interpretations. But why assume you have to agree on everything for a marriage to work? No two Christians will agree on everything and that's normal because we're all individuals. Why not instead focus on the main things you have in common? You're both Christians, believe in Jesus, and probably have more in common that you are realizing.

Maybe the real question is why are you choosing to have such a strong reaction to this of all things. You mention you're even worried for your family, but isn't your choice to view and react this way the real threat, instead of the viewpoints themselves? "extremely frustrated, devastated" are not normal reactions to just a difference of opinion. Did you really yell at your husband and call him a tyrant?! That's in violation of the Bible's teachings, probably marital vows to him, and that's unacceptable for a wife to treat her husband that way. That's the only thing shocking about this. Women sometimes have amplified emotions while pregnant. What if the opinions of Calvinism are simply a distraction from the real attack from the enemy deceiving you into resenting and disrespecting your husband? Ephesians 5:23-33 God bless you.

Thank you Richard I truly appreciate and do believe in the power of prayer He might be doing this because of stress from the new baby, he has a very demanding job we both worked for the same company I recently left due to the pregnancy so I understand and can sympathize with what he deals with there. But he listens to podcasts or sermons while on the road as did I while I was working too. But he started listening to Calvin's institute's and from there no offense, it has went downhill very fast! He is relentless. We do not have a church unfortunately, because of this very issue. We cannot agree on where to go and what we have available to us is not the greatest selection. It is what he is listening to that is driving him. I came to the conclusion a long time ago about 6 years that this has been going on, but that I would not bring up things I know we do not agree on or that I know will start fights, that are not worth it. But he is the exact opposite... It truly is sad...

I could say more about this but it is sufficient to say that the God who designed His plans ahead of time also made a covenant with a husband and wife which sadly many Calvanists and those in the Reformed movement in general don't like to adhere to the one spouse for life mandate. What is of course going on is the enemy is trying to wreck your marriage; which is more than a contract between two people.

There are few on either camp when it comes to Arminianism and Calvanism who disagree on certain fundamental issues; namely that some scripture indicates God's predestined plan for many things. If indeed that was being argued against I can understand the frustration.

The first major problem here is whenever a doctrine comes up like this is when it overshadows the basic Gospel truths common to all parties concerned; namely that Christ died on Calvary to bring atonement to all who would believe in His name.

The next issue is why he is so obsessed; is it something he is preaching of his own volition; or is he surrounded by those in church; fellowship or friends who align with this sort of militant campaign in that direction? It would help to understand in order to pray for your situation.

You shall know them by their fruits. This should indicate love; joy; peace; longsuffering; etc. and should follow the guidelines of 1 Cor. 13. This is something you may be able to seek on your own. Of course a child is innocent; even if we argue about being born in sin; I look at Psalm 8:2 and other verses that show that God saves them out of grace much as He does for others above the age of accountability. Having angels beholding the face of God is something that we need to consider carefully; as well as the sanctity of the marriage covenant. Thus; I would advise that you tell him you are praying for these issues and see what happens. I hope it isn't the case but he may use things as excuses to disrupt the marriage with the stress of childbirth.

I'll Pray.

Hello,

My husband and I have been at odds for many years about Calvinism. So much so it really is a point of contention. I am currently 29 weeks pregnant and he has been becoming in my opinion Obsessed with this topic to the point where it has surpassed acceptable behaviors! He can not realize I will not ever agree with him on this topic, and I'm sorry to all the calvinist out there but he has become a tyrant and aggressive and I am worried all of the stress will effect the baby! Before I was pregnant I would debate him to a degree before you realize you have been sucked into a never ending cycle, and I would walk away or we would end up screaming at each other. Personally very disgusting to me to even think about. This is the work of the devil, Christ is not the author of confusion but of PEACE... And this is breaking my heart. I have contacted his Dad who is also a Christian and he won't even listen to him. At what point do I get other Christian men involved because he is putting me and the baby at risk with his constant barrage of Calvinism. I am extremely frustrated and devastated being pregnant I do not want to bring a child into this!! My heart breaks thinking about it. Thank you.

Hello all dear and chosen, all guests and curious. Know that you are called and that you are valuable!

Do you ever wonder if the Lord is literal? Read aloud and clearly Psalm 1:1-3 Notice if anything happens!

Hallelujah Praise be to our God and Savior Jesus Christ who is the Living God, Amen

Dear "Bennymkje" Why are you sharing this here?