Anglican Opinions

Discussion in 'The Commons' started by Br. Thomas, Nov 6, 2022.

  1. Tiffy

    Tiffy Well-Known Member

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    There is nothing 'unfortunate' about having the opinion you state, since it is absolutely true, I believe. I'm no Calvinist, tiptoeing through TULIPs. I, at first glance thought perhaps you were thinking I had been personally "Wandering around in free will, not following the word of God", but on further scrutiny of the text I realise it is a rhetorical statement aimed generally at the unconscious Arminianists among us, and very true it is at that. In fact, 'free will' does not even enter into the fact that we are chosen by Christ, because before being 'chosen' we had no 'freedom to choose', we were slaves to sin and death, and slaves have no choices until they are GIVEN their freedom by Christ, whose service is perfect freedom.

    In the case of infants, I think what is happening at the font is not necessarily ACTUAL regeneration, there and then, but rather the pledge and downpayment of regeneration ratified by God between Himself, the believing parents and the child. It is through faith that the process becomes a sacrament and the faith of the parents and the church will see that child cannot thereafter escape the Grace of God. God has promised that "He will be their God", just as He is the God of the parent(s) and the church. Sometime in the infant's life God will reveal himself in him or her (no matter how confused later they may themselves be about their own gender :laugh:). That experience we call regeneration. By faith, that moment already exists in the infant, his or her name is already written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
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    Last edited: Nov 23, 2023
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  2. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    God will raise up everyone at the last day. Absolutely everyone. Some will be raised to everlasting life in God's glory, and the rest will be raised to everlasting destruction & separation from God.

    My, what a rant!

    If no man has free will to choose to believe or disbelieve God, then I guess you're saying that Adam and Eve lacked free will to choose to disbelieve God. Ergo, God made them commit sin. And God makes every atheist, every agnostic, etc. commit the sin of unbelief. Which means that God is the author of sin! Since that cannot be true, your concept is proven false. :tiphat:
     
  3. Tiffy

    Tiffy Well-Known Member

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    You are mistaking 'choice' with will. One can only choose between available options. Sinners don't have options, they are lost. The lost sheep didn't put out a distress call and wait for rescue, it was hunted down. :laugh:
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  4. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    Free will is only evident in the ability to make choices and in the making of choices (within the realm of choices realistically available to a person, otherwise I'd choose to come by today and have tea with you).
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2023
  5. Rexlion

    Rexlion Well-Known Member

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    I certainly could be on board with that sentiment. Most of the language in our 2019 BCP's baptism ceremony is consistent with it, too. :thumbsup:
     
  6. Shane R

    Shane R Well-Known Member

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    Someone was asking on Facebook about the REC and APA being in full communion not more than a few weeks ago. Bp. Giffin (APA) answered that the concordat is still in effect. It also includes APCK if I recall correctly.