What Christian thinker has influenced you the most?

RandyDawson said:

Are you arminian?
I just saw this after serching on Francis Schaeffer

Francis Schaeffer expressed antipathy towards calvinism, particularly its deterministic views, and often emphasized the importance of human freedom in his teachings. While he initially identified with some calvinist ideas, his later works suggest a shift towards a more arminian perspective, focusing on free will and personal choice.

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I find it interesting when Paul says, 'I am determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified'
This becomes evident when I read his letters to the Churches. It is not evident when I listen to most preachers. The variation on religious themes knows no end.....but where is Jesus.
I have concluded that if a person's writings do not draw me closer to the one I love, there are better things to read.

Matthias said:

Jesus, the Christ (or Messiah), is a Jew. (As are the apostles.) What does that infer?

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fwiw . . . the speaker implies, the listener infers.

quietthinker said:

I find it interesting when Paul says, 'I am determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified'

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Paul said a lot of other things too such as warning those who live in sin that they are no longer righteousness
Some do like to only quote certain verses and ignore all the rest.

quietthinker said:

I have concluded that if a person's writings do not draw me closer to the one I love, there are better things to read.

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That's the point of God's warnings is to help people not offend the Lord and get back in to right standing with Him.

marks said:

fwiw . . . the speaker implies, the listener infers.

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Good to see the grammar po po on the job!
If they keep that up you'll have to put them in the pokey

RandyDawson said:

Paul said a lot of other things too such as warning those who live in sin that they are no longer righteousness
Some do like to only quote certain verses and ignore all the rest.




That's the point of God's warnings is to help people not offend the Lord and get back in to right standing with Him.





Good to see the grammar po po on the job!
If they keep that up you'll have to put them in the pokey

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Is it possible that 'right standing' with God from God's side is a given, namely he has forgiven us all our sins and committed to us the message of reconciliation?
....but....
man's side insists on alienation of some sort

quietthinker said:

Is it possible that 'right standing' with God from God's side is a given, namely he has forgiven us all our sins and committed to us the message of reconciliation?
....but....
man's side insists on alienation of some sort

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There sure are a lot of Christians living in sin so they obviously don't believe they are alienated.

quietthinker said:

I find it interesting when Paul says, 'I am determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified'
This becomes evident when I read his letters to the Churches. It is not evident when I listen to most preachers. The variation on religious themes knows no end.....but where is Jesus.
I have concluded that if a person's writings do not draw me closer to the one I love, there are better things to read.

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Paul said he knew nothing AMONG YOU but Jesus Christ and him crucified — because the Corinthians were carnal.

Among more mature believers, Paul spoke of deeper truths, the wisdom of God in a mystery.

1 Corinthians 2

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.




1 Corinthians 3


3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?