Well said. Prof Ed Feser did a great takedown of DBH's "That all shall be saved" on his blog. The idea that Christ will return "like a thief in the night" should introduce some fear and trembling into the working out of salvation. As long as tomorrow we can look out the stars and see that they have not been rolled up like a scroll, we can say "So far so good!"
Thanks Scoot. I think with what the N.T. does say about judgment from God, it’s important not to presume our salvation. However, if I find out the majority of people make it to heaven, I’m not going to be upset that I strived to live a life of holiness or that these other folks made it too. We’ll all be gazing at the wonder that is the beatific vision.
I say let’s get as many souls to believe in the gospel of Jesus. It’s sort of like Hadden’s Wager.
In 2nd Corinthians 2;1-9,Paul explains that he speaks of "Christ crucified",verse 2,and not the "wisdom of the world,nor the princes of this world,that come to nought",but to "preach the gospel;not the wisdom of words,lest the cross of Christ should be made none effect",1 Corinthians 1:17
The context of 2 Cor 2:1-9 is Paul’s sadness of creating strife in the Corinthians community and the pain of that strife inflected on him.
Are you referencing First Corinthians? The context regarding Paul here seems to indicate that he used words to proclaim the gospel but the phrase “my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom,” is a reference to Greek rhetorical styles.
Instead St. Paul says his words were a demonstration of spirit & power. It might also indicate if you’re using Acts as a companion piece that many communities were converted because of signs & miracles.
Paul goes in the First Corinthians writing about how they do speak of true wisdom--which is the gospel:
1 Corinthians 2:7 Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,
8 and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Well said. Prof Ed Feser did a great takedown of DBH's "That all shall be saved" on his blog. The idea that Christ will return "like a thief in the night" should introduce some fear and trembling into the working out of salvation. As long as tomorrow we can look out the stars and see that they have not been rolled up like a scroll, we can say "So far so good!"
Thanks Scoot. I think with what the N.T. does say about judgment from God, it’s important not to presume our salvation. However, if I find out the majority of people make it to heaven, I’m not going to be upset that I strived to live a life of holiness or that these other folks made it too. We’ll all be gazing at the wonder that is the beatific vision.
I say let’s get as many souls to believe in the gospel of Jesus. It’s sort of like Hadden’s Wager.
Thank you Phillip for writing on this topic. It is very much needed and I appreciate the information here.
Thanks Jonathon. The Pope Gregory the Great quote I came across during my Patristics class . It’s simply logical and profound on the matter.
In 2nd Corinthians 2;1-9,Paul explains that he speaks of "Christ crucified",verse 2,and not the "wisdom of the world,nor the princes of this world,that come to nought",but to "preach the gospel;not the wisdom of words,lest the cross of Christ should be made none effect",1 Corinthians 1:17
The context of 2 Cor 2:1-9 is Paul’s sadness of creating strife in the Corinthians community and the pain of that strife inflected on him.
Are you referencing First Corinthians? The context regarding Paul here seems to indicate that he used words to proclaim the gospel but the phrase “my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom,” is a reference to Greek rhetorical styles.
Instead St. Paul says his words were a demonstration of spirit & power. It might also indicate if you’re using Acts as a companion piece that many communities were converted because of signs & miracles.
Paul goes in the First Corinthians writing about how they do speak of true wisdom--which is the gospel:
1 Corinthians 2:7 Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,
8 and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.