Given that one is saved by faith, not good behavior, sacrifices, karma, works, reincarnation, et al, how does one get this faith? The Bible’s answer is ‘not on your own ‘cause you’re not even trying’ Psalm 14:2 says “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if…
Read moreGod is in hell
Given God is omnipresent, (i.e., God is present everywhere) and given that hell is somewhere, God is there. The damned are not separated from God while in hell, but they are separated from God’s mercy, subject only to his righteous justice. God is there, seeing to the right, just, and eternal punishment of those who…
Read moreWe need saved from…God?
Given the choice, and wanting to avoid fire and brimstone or perhaps what some misguided people, even Sunday school teachers, present as a state of perpetual nothingness, I would choose to be saved. Saved from a judgement proceeding during which I will certainly be found guilty. Old Testament prophet Hosea says of people at the…
Read moreWe are saved from hell by Works
The shock of this statement by Calvinist leaning Christians shouting Sola Fide! gives way to a scolding finger wag and head shake once the literary trickery is revealed. I assert we are most certainly saved by works,..
Read moreCan there be salvation without God taking the Initiative?
After the encounter with the rich young ruler in Matt 19:25, Jesus’ disciples ask “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” John 6:44 says it is completely out of our hands as Jesus says “No one can come to…
Read moreWhat must I do to be Saved?
As a student of the scriptures, I have come across a number of answers to this question in my readings. The purpose of this essay is to capture references that explicitly refer to salvation in hopes of having a clear and complete answer to this most important question. Did the requirements change over the course…
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