I plan on reading Pilgrim's Progress and I do read quite a bit of C.S Lewis. Plus i'm about to embark on an in depth study of "Institutes" by Calvin. I just got "Desiring God" by John Piper, i'm sure you are familiar with him if you are familiar with Lewis or Bunyan. Maybe you're familiar with J.I. Packer, Tom Nettles, and Baxter. Most of these are great writers . I'm not as inclined to state that "The message" takes it too far...as long as it's not used in the place of the Holy Scriptures, I don't see a problem with just reading it just for entertainment. As one who studies literature, I use the word entertainment in a loose sense as to describe any book that intrigues me. Just a sponge of knowledge, granted useless or otherwise. That's all that is meant. The NLT is an excellent source and a great translation that still holds to the original text and wording.  I see that point and can't argue against it. I've grown to study by the English Standard Version of the Holy Scriptures. I find it greatly easier to study with this version than my KJV, however I still hold dear to my King James. I'm slowly stepping into more and more of the early church's writings. those of wycliffe, darby, Edwards, Bunyan, Calvin, Augustine, Luther,and can't forget Spurgeon and Moody: as well as some 20th century such as Sproul, Piper, Packer, Lewis, to name a few. All great writers and deep theologians. So my entertainment list is deeply vast Just a few thoughts.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

The only thing "The Message" is worth is good reading. It's a quite entertaining piece of literature. If i remember right, the guy even says that it's not meant to replace the Holy Scriptures, but to put it into every day language and to convey basic ideas, and is no way meant to be a supplement to the real thing. Just thought i'd add that.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

I must brag on my college's singing troupe. They are called Joyful Sound and they are an excellent group of singers. They are from North Greenville University and they are by far the best college group i've ever heard. I enjoy listening to their songs!!! If you have a chance or can come across some of their music...grab it...it's excellent.

Joshua

Keep in mind that Scripture does contain absolutes truths GKB.

 I commend you for all you said in this post DigitGen. You are right on the ball. Keep up the good work.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

Otay. Kinda had me confused there...I'm all for charts, but I like a bit of text to go with my pictures :-D

Coram Deo,
Joshua

I'll reply with this: Who can know the mind of God? Simply put, the doctrine of the Trinity as well as the Sovereignty of God is a stumbling block for thousands. They try to wrap their minds around such an enormous concept that it is impossible to do such a thing. Hence why God reveals only enough to show us that He is still  a Sovereign God and that He is actively involved in our lives. Just a few thoughts.

Joshua

Question: What exactly are you sharing? For or against the King James Translation? Just curious    

I have a question. If Paul did not believe in a "trinity" or a triune God, then why did he write in Philippians 2 this:

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Is not Paul saying that Jesus Christ is God. If that is so, then it must also be asked, did Paul believe that the Holy Spirit was God? Of course he did. Paul understood that Jesus Christ was God, the Holy Spirit was of God and that God the Father was God. Thus, three-in-one or as Colossians 2 says "For in Him dwells the Godhead bodily" Just a few thoughts.

Joshua

Pastor Roger:

Let's just chalk this one up to speaking before thinking? LOL. It's quite allright with me brother.

Cris...I will choose not to answer your question because without fully explaining it and possibly taking up 15 pages of threads, and still would not be finished explaining I cannot fully  answer that question. Sipmly because I do not feel it necessary to do so. I will simply respond with: Who knows the mind of God? I will not say for certain whether someone is or is not created to go to hell. I do know God's nature that has been revealed in Scripture, therefore I will not conjecture to make such an absolute statement because it will spark a fierce debate over calvinism and armenianism and I have read your remarks concerning calvinists, so you will come to the table with such pre-suppositions that will be impossible to respond with. Thus. I refrain from answering this question you have posed. I apologize if I have disappointed you.

Coram Deo,
Joshua

Pastor Roger:
LoL...is all I can say. I am a Calvinist and am not afraid to state as such. However, first and foremost, I am saved by Grace through faith in JESUS Christ. It is His blood whereby which I am justified and sanctified. There is no dispute over that. While I hold to the doctrines of Grace, that has little bearing in that I trust my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as my intimate bridegroom. I seek truth according to Scripture. I tend to agree with Calvin's writings, but that's not to say that I am closeminded to what anyone else has to say on the matter. No disrespect taken Pastor Roger. You know me by my statements and you know that when it comes to Theological discussion (and I use discussion because discussing is what I always do) I will present my stance, and back it up with Scripture that support each other, as well as the truth given from the study of the Scriptures themselves. I know you don't mean to single out Calvinists, however, you as well as I do know that not all are the same. That individual you referred to is known as a hyper calvinist which is completely different than traditional calvinism and it often leads to fatalism. Hence why he makes that statement that you have just produces. I follow the teachings of God first and foremost, and I will give heed to the teachings of man ONLY after I have searched the Scriptures. You might call me a reformed calvinist or a supporter of reformed theology. However you wish, I am the same person I was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. My spiritual gifts have not diminished nor has my calling been affected. So no worries brother. I knew I would get a bit of a response, however, I had to speak up because I won't sit by while other calvinists, who are just as dedicated to the Word, if not more than I, are labeled as these harsh people who think they know who is and who is not going to hell. You see where i'm coming from... So no worries brother, no dis-respect recieved.

Now Cris:

I noticed you said that I am not unlike the Calvinists you have known. Again, I am first and foremost a Beliver in the Lord Jesus Christ, secondly, I am a disciple, thirdly I am a calvinist, and 4thly i am a southern baptist. Now does that make me any less of a believer than anyone else on this forum? I have to ask the question because it seems that many have a major grievance against Calvinists that is often unfounded. You'll find that there are more hyper-calvinists than there are biblical calvinists. And I use the term biblical to distinguish us from the hyper calvinists that believe in fatalism. If I were a hyper calvinist, I could care less about missions, or evangelism, however, the point is, I do care for missions, and evangelism because it is not for me to decide who goes to heaven or hell, it is up to God. My job is to spread the Gospel, and TEACH them to go out and be witnesses. If i fail to do my job, I shall reap the consequences. I am a calvinist because I tend to agree with Calvin's writings, but I do not base my theology solely on his writings, that would be fatalistic in and of itself. This is why I hate using the word calvinist because it often provokes emotions that are not charitable to those who assume the position of a calvinist. I'm sure as you read my posts, I go to the Scriptures above any thing a man has to say. I only include essays and quotes because i believe they will convey better what I am trying to say than I can. I do not mean this as a rebuttal, but to maybe clear up a few issues that may be running through your mind. I'm sorry if you have had bad experiences with a "calvinist" or someone who has assumed that position and been reckless with their words. Re-read what it says at the bottom of my posts: "Language is a powerful tool. It can build up and destroy. How will you choose to use this tool?" I hope that I can be a blessing to you in the future and that God will continue to guide you in your day to day walk with Him. Consider no harsh feelings from me to you as well.

I think this will about wrap up my reflections on these previous posts. God Bles

Coram Deo,
Joshua

BTW I'm calvinist...

Joshua

Very good synopsis of general revelation of Scripture Rogers...Could not have said it any better.

Joshua

I was here during the last portion of that catholic/protestant war. You'll notice that my statements about those revelations...keep in mind that what I am speaking of are those revealed to us by GOD. If it goes against the general tenor of scripture concerning an issue it should be discounted. For example...grace. The general tenor of Scripture is that we are saved by Grace. Even some 'christians' deny this. Also, the difference between now trying to discuss a point of doctrine and then discussing a point of doctrine is that in i'm not referring to just one place in Scripture where that truth is displayed. I will not stand on just one scripture when concerning a biblical doctrine. Those who have read my previous posts in the past, know that i will seek out and study to make sure what I say is biblically sound. i to have thought about the past catholic/protestant war that raged on this site. However, this is a completely different set of circumstances and personally, i am responding and challenging at the same time, to study it for yourselves. That's the one thing that lacks most often is people just take what is said at face value instead of doing the research themselves. Nothing against anyone on this forum, it's just something that I am trying to guard against. Again, I will hold to the statement "Scripture supports itself." Just a few thoughts.

Coram Deo
Joshua

When I say hermenutics, I'm simply saying any serious student of the Word. Never said you had to have a grasp of hermenutics in order to be saved. If you can find a place where those words came out of my mouth, I will retract my statement. So did Solomon not have truth? He was counted wise. My wisdom (God forbid I even deserve it) comes from God. I count on Him for whatever wisdom He wishes to lavish upon me. However, in the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship, being a student of the Word has strengthened my resolve to seek God's truths in His Holy Word. Again, just because it does not say it blatantly in Scripture, does not mean that such a revelation is not there. Just a few thoughts.

Joshua

Naw that's not a problem at all. I havn't taken the time to learn how to post ver long urls in this forum. Or any HTML for that matter due to my studies. Speaking of which, i have a French final s o i'd best get outta here. Have a good one.

Joshua