Steven Ward

@1LLoyd24 @1984_nate You’ve just acknowledged that Calvinism DOES NOT believe man has free will. You believe that we are unable to choose not to sin.

@1984_nate @stevebward Are we able NOT to sin? If we're able, why don't we not sin? “What can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” Romans 1:19 Shown to animals? No, mankind.

Yep, if Calvinism is true and man cannot and will not repent until God does a work of regeneration on them then it makes no sense to say that He's being patient with THEM. Logically He's just being patient with Himself. Calvinism makes scripture nonsensical.

@1984_nate @1LLoyd24 The lion always chooses meat because of its created nature. Should a lion be punished for not eating grass?

@1LLoyd24 @stevebward You’re missing the point. The point is about what we can or can’t choose based on our nature. Under Calvinism this is no different than an animal. Because of our nature we don’t really have a choice, we will always choose only by nature a certain thing, like an animal.

Interstates clogging up is one thing. Back roads were never meant to carry the traffic load we are now seeing in Knoxville and the surrounding area WE ARE FULL

@1LLoyd24 @1984_nate John Calvin stated that all things were decreed and ordained by God, including desires, including Satan’s conceptions of evil.

@stevebward @1984_nate Can you show me where God decrees desires? I feel that you don't understand God's decree.

@1LLoyd24 @1984_nate Unforced? God decrees the desires. God decrees the circumstances that influence the decisions. If Calvinism is true then we behave according to our programming. Compatibilism is merely a way to give God plausible deniability.

@stevebward @1984_nate That is only true if we are robots who can't decide anything. Calvinists know that men exercise free will -to choose according to their nature - to sin, unforced.

My message if the day before I get on the plane to come home.... You think you backslid a little and are away from God? You think you relapsed and are away from God? Think you need to hide like Adam and Eve in the garden after they sinned? Let me tell you a story. Jesus Found Simon (later renamed him Peter and called him his rock) as a fisherman. Simon had fished and caught nothing and Jesus showed him a miracle. Told him to cast one more time..... and the net nearly tipped his boat over with fish. Simon hit his knees and told Christ to turn away from him for he was a sinful man. Christ instead said, "Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men", the first of Christ's deciples. Now.... Fact forward to Christ on the Cross. Peter (Simon) has rejected him 3 times as Christ said he would, and Peter flees.... Christ dies. Peter is beside himself with grief even after the resurrection. Then Christ meets him at the Sea of Galilee... Peter is again fishing.... thinking he has failed and now must fish to survive... And what happens? Jesus says to him, "Cast that net just ONE MORE TIME..." and fills his boat again... Christ knew he would be weak. Christ knew HIS ROCK would crumble. Christ didn't turn from him. He filled his boat a second time and then asked him three times, "Do you love me"... and when Peter responded yes, he told him to "Go feed my sheep". (Three times, because three times did Peter reject him, so three times he must accept him) This man denied knowing Christ in his weakest moment. Left Christ to DIE on the cross.... and Christ didn't turn from him!!!! And you think just because you had a moment of human weakness that you cannot come back? You think Christ doesn't know you are suffering and doing your best? You think he doesn't see???? "DO YOU LOVE ME" Is all he is going to ask. That's it. That's all you will hear.... He's not asking for perfection. He is asking for your best. He is asking for your obedience. He is asking you to love him with all you have DESPITE the demons on your shoulder. You are not lost. You are just a little misdirected by your sin. He's got you. Just approach him. He will tell you to cast your net just ONE MORE TIME... and we both know the results will be a full catch. Have a great day! See you back in Knoxville.

@1LLoyd24 @1984_nate That He decrees for them to commit.

@1984_nate @stevebward God is being patient by not destroying them for their sin.

@modernisteo26 @AL_J82 noyam.org/wp-content/upl…

@stevebward @AL_J82 So Christ died on the cross to satisfy the debt to Satan, gotcha. Satan rules over creation and God doesn't? man your bible reading so bad, but your beard is cool.

Don't let people shame you for holding fast to the faith, even if they themselves claim to be Christian. Penal substitutionary atonement and original sin are foundational to the gospel message. If that makes others uncomfortable then that's a problem they need to work out, not you! Galatians 1 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

@modernisteo26 @AL_J82 Nope. Our first parents obeyed Satan and ceded their dominion over to him. The Bible in multiple places references Satan’s rule over creation in this present age. Part of that involves Satan’s right to our death. Satan messed up by seeking Christ’s death. He had no right to Him.

@stevebward @AL_J82 so God owed Satan His Own Son, Satan and God are equals?

@BoCamaro Praying 🙏

Welp. We are here. Hopefully we get some answers. My daughter hasn't been able to eat anything for months. She gets nauseous after just a few bites. Hopefully we find out why today.

@AL_J82 You’re the one insisting on PSA. You have the burden of proof.

@stevebward You didn't answer the question

@BethanyMcGrew @AL_J82 Exactly.

@AL_J82 @stevebward Whatever it was it had to be the same one that James & John drank according to Jesus in Matthew 20:22-23.

@AL_J82 What was in the cup in Matthew 20 that James and John had to drink? If it was the Father’s wrath as punishment then Jesus must have not died for their sins.

@stevebward What was in the cup I'm Matthew 26:39?

@AL_J82 That isn’t PSA. PSA specifically has God pouring out wrath on Jesus AS THE PUNISHMENT for our sins. That isn’t in the Bible.

@stevebward No, first show me where Christ didn't take on the punishment for our sins

@AL_J82 Where does the Bible specifically state the the Father poured out wrath on the Son to satisfy justice? And what do you do with Genesis 3:15?

@stevebward By reading the Bible in context

@1984_nate Ransom theory involves Christ dying for our sins and Calvinists should like it. Augustine held to the form of ransom theory that is my favorite. It involves Jesus using Satan’s own pride against him to result in him losing ownership over us.

Newsflash, the idea that Christ died for our sins is not strictly a PSA (Penal Substitutionary Atonement) teaching. Claiming people who disagree with PSA don't believe Christ died for our sins makes you either ignorant or dishonest.

For PSA advocates, how do you explain this verse? “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,” John 5:22 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/jhn.…

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/rom.…