Russian women and religion

[WmGo]

... in response to Just to liven things up, posted by philb on Feb 16, 2002

That is a good question. That is one of the mysteries that is really beyond man's understanding. The Bible clearly teaches that even though receiving God's grace is a personal free will decision, even before the creation of the world God predestined us to believe in Him.

This theological mystery, which seems to be paradoxical to those not well versed in the whole Scripture, led to some really big debates throughout history, particularly during the Reformation era. Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox and Erasmus all had a thing or two to say about it. The subject was debated in written exchanges by these and many others during that period, and by many since.

Suffice to say that the extreme Calvinist view of absolute predestination, which would necessarily negate free will, has been virtually universally rejected as contradictory of the whole Scripture. I have dozens of Presbyterian friends and none of them, nor their preachers, subscribe to it.

The majority view is that God has predestined all of us to receive His Son, but he has left us with a free will to accept or reject. So everyone has been elected. But not everyone will accept the office. Given the fact that it is free, it is truly sad some decline what we could never earn and certainly do not deserve.

Regards,

WmGo

[BarryM]

... in response to Re: secular country.., posted by WmGo on Feb 15, 2002

From the Orthodox rubrics, the Sacrament of Baptism is being "born again". The Sacrament of Chrismation is "receiving Christ". Accepting and receiving Christ is part of the creed and is affirmed at every time we partake of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The Sacrament of Confession is also accepting and receiving Christ.

We accept and receive Christ at every Orthodox Liturgy. It is very detailed in both the Liturgies of St. John Chrysotom and St. Basil the Great as well as the "Book of Needs" and has been part of the Church since the 3rd century.

-blm

[WmGo]

... in response to You have a protestant perspective..., posted by BarryM on Feb 15, 2002

Barry,

It is called *Biblical* perspective. But we probably have a different use in terminology here.

You can only *receive* Christ as Saviour *once* (and truly this is a matter of common sense). . Yes, when people go to a Christian worship service they are *affirming* their faith, but not re-receiving Salvation. God does not go rewrite the Believer's name in the Book of Life every Sunday (nor does he ever erase it).

Concerning baptism, if you read John 3:16 it does not say anything about baptism. Baptism is a *work*. And we are not saved by works. See Ephesians 2:8-9. But baptism *is* an outward symbolic public confession of what has *already* (at a moment in time)(born again) occurred on the inside of the Believer (Spiritual regeneration upon recieving in our heart Christ as Saviour): Collosians 6:12; Romans 6:4-5. So although baptism is important, it alone does nothing. It is just a physical act. If the person has not already sincerely received Christ in their heart, they can be baptised a thousand times and it will do nothing to alter their Spiritual status.

Likewise, reciting the Confessions (which I like to do also  - Nicene and Apostles minus the "Catholic" reference) does not save. Perhaps you are referring to *affirming* one's faith, as opposed to *receiving* Christ. In the Christian world, "receiving Christ" refers to the moment in time that the Believer confesses Christ as their Saviour (see John 3) and thereby immediately attains all of the promises and standing associated with being a child of God, most importanly eternal life.

Hope this helps. There is no substitue for personal Bible study. It is a Biblical command: II Timothy 2:15

Regards,

WmGO

[Richard]

... in response to Russian women and religion, posted by terry on Feb 15, 2002

When something is as important to you as this I think that you need to discuss it with the woman involved.  I sugest bringing it up early as this may be a show stopper on one side or the other.