Chosen But Free.

Chosen but free by Norman l. Geisler give a good comparison about Calvinistic and Arminian with the use of Scriptures. According to Armenian “salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of and man, man’s response being the determining factor. God has provided salvation for everyone, but his provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, "choose" to cooperate with him and accept his offer of grace. At the crucial point, man's will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be recipients of the gift of salvation.” In Calvinism “salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them; the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation”.

I agree with Norman Geisler in many of the main points that he makes. One of them is when Geisler states that God is the one who is in charge of all things. I agree that is charge of this world including (humans, Satan, fallen angels). To support his point he uses a verse from the Bible. Isaiah 46:10. This verse talks about that God knows everything from the beginning to the end. Also he is the one in control do manage everything according to his will. I also agree with the point on extreme Calvinism. “Geisler engages in this redefinition not only with regard to the general term "Calvinism", but he also redefines the individual doctrines which are part and parcel of Calvinism. This is seen in his discussion of T-U-L-I-P”. He says that Calvin was not an extreme Calvinism because he did not believe in the points. Also he says on the total depravity point that most people who take this side are basically dead spiritually because they are not able to communicative to God.

I also agree when he discuss the point of Arminians. One point that Geisler makes is that extreme Arminians believe that God does not know everything because of all the freewill that is given. I agree with this view because it is stating that God does know everything when in scripture it states in Hebrews 4:13. I also agree in the point that what we believe or do have consequence good or bad. The point I think I don’t agree is when he makes that stamen that whether when we are saved if we will always be saved. For what I understand God give us free will to make the decision to be saved or not. Why do we have to accept Jesus or be a Christian when at the end we will be saved? If these was true there is no reason of going to thru world and teach the gospel, or just be like Jesus. You can sin and sin, and do not repent and still go to heaven. This point is very confusing, and is really hard to understand. But I don’t think is true because if it is true, them there not purpose in life.

Worship and Church....Theo202- Dr. Caner.

Worship in church these days, seems to be show. It’s the same thing every Sunday, music, prayer, offering, sermon and goodbye. I’m not a church person and I think must (all) churches are fakes. I think you can worship God without going to church. The Bible says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”.Mark 12:30. In my opinion pastor only want people in churches just because of money. I know what the Bible say about giving back to God, but it really pissed me off when I heard the pastor says “remember that God say to give back to church”, and is the first thing they always mention. The music “is the same music every Sunday”. It’s funny to see how people get so excited about music and they say it was the Holy Spirit. Well I feel the same thing when I heard a beautiful song; I get that feeling in my stomach, it is just the feeling of music, not Holy Spirit. The clear teaching of true worship is in the Bible: the center of worship is God. The fellowship, praise and intimate relationship with the sovereign God is the essence of worship. The Bible teaches that the l worship it has to come from the heart. It has to do with the relationship between yourself and the Holy God who can take communion. This is how I think you should worship: be in communion with God regardless of the location and circumstances in which the worshiper is. You must have a clear philosophy of true worship, at home and at church. Jesus is still looking for worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth not that cynic person in church who always goes with the bible of his/her hand and never actually read it. Worshiping God is not the performance or a rite, but a reality of intimate communion with Him. Man was created with the primary purpose of paying tribute to the unique, eternal and powerful God according to the truth that he has revealed in his Word. Such worship must be both personal and collective, but always in a way that pleases him. Sorry if offend anyone, but that’s how I see church today. I don’t want to be another liar who goes to church and pretend to be these perfect Christian, when I am not. If I want to worship God, I can do it anywhere, anytime. He gave us the Bible, and all we need.

MY TESTIMONY - JORGE RUIZ THEO202-003

I came to believe (know), that I was a sinner a year ago or so when I came to Liberty. I’m from Cuba and I was not raised in a Christian home. I never went to church and never heard of God. The summer before my freshman year I was already going to go to another university, until I got a letter from Liberty saying that I was accepted here, without even applying. I don’t how I change my mind but, I came to Liberty. The first weeks on LU were really overwhelming, because everything was God and God. In classes, convocations, church, hall meetings and prayer groups, everybody talked about God, and to be honest I was not interesting. One time I talked to my GNED professor and I ask questions like who is God, or who I am and he explain to me. So, one day I made the decision to accept Christ as my savior. I have to say that God put me with best roommate ever; I think if it was not for my best friend I would defiantly not be here. I have to say that I am not the best Christian in the world. First, I respect God and I know he is real, but I don’t follow his rules. I think I got tired of waiting for miracle. When I accept Christ I never felt anything and I never “change”. Even thought I did tried to be a Christian.