Why did God forgive our sins?

The ongoing question currently is whether it is important or not.Perhaps what it means to you is taking on the lessons that Jesus taught us and doing them yourself.To others, it may mean a get-out-of-hell free card. A license to sin. A guarantee.To others it may mean a regenerated mind versus a fallen mind.I'mn stating to lean more towards the idea that it means taking on the character that Jesus taught.

Everyone has beliefs. You dont know the final destiny of humanity, for example. Dont you believe that we will survive or find a way to do so or are you simply relying on facts and evidence....because if you are, there is no answer...only probabilities.

I suppose one could argue that monotheism that requires a choice is really dualism. I dont understand the distinction between being a Deist and a pantheist, however. Do you have any insights?

Lucky? Seriously? There is no such thing.

I'm talking probability. And there is a difference between measurable probability which has real criteria and a fanciful hypothetical probability of which there is no way to measure and thus quantify. The latter is incorrectly called luck or chance and there is no such a thing, in the absence of solid and verifiable numbers behind it.Let's take the Yellowstone volcano. There is measurable probability connected with forecasting a future eruption.
We have a range (600,000 to 700,000 years. )Contrast that with the probability of some event for which we have no solid data. My argument is that in the absence of data, there is no probability.And without probability, there is no such thing as luck or chance.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

If by luck or chance you mean random, consider that chance in and of itself has no power in and of itself to cause any sort of an outcome. Thus to say that something happens by chance is really saying nothing. Chance has no power.

What have you observed? (Apart from the quote in my signature) Give me a couple of examples.

How many of the preachers are Calvinists? Am I a Calvinist? What does one have to believe to be a Calvinist?

I found this interesting article by Sproul: The Fine Points of Calvinism So you have me off thinking again. Now lemme get this straight: TULIP=
Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints, right? Let me regroup my thoughts and see if I believe any of TULIP.

Hopefully I will continue this line of thought at my New Topic Once it gets promoted. To be honest, I never really realized that Calvinism was so prevalent in American Christianity.

im learning new stuff....putting pieces of the puzzle together... seems as if RC Sproul was also a Presbyterian at one time. One of those who came from England! He does have more education than most of them, however. Edited by Phat, : added

Yes, I agree. And earlier you asked me and my question is how many of the denominations would fall under this category?

I think that ICANT is on hiatus, but you are asking him some honest questions and i respect your POV after reading them.Seems as if you are somewhat like I am in that you read old archives when bored. Religion depresses me at times, and yet I feel as if I need to understand GOD.Just out of curiosity, have you been reading jar and my exchange concerning Calvinism and TULIP? It seems to go along with the questions that you are attempting to get Pastor ICANT to respond to.

Im not consciously deconverting, but after having thrown away the God of Calvinism, I am finding trouble comprehending the GOD Whom I believe exists.jar doesnt help matters much when he simply tells me to throw God away.If he simply expects me to quit creating the God that I want and to go get busy doing things for other people, he misses out on the fact that I NEED to have and get as much as I need to help and give. I simply don't have the strength in me to throw away the Comforter and to start comforting others.Im not sure that the old man from Deep South Texas understands what it means to need comfort.He was probably taught "awww tough! Grow up!"

Reassurance.Im honest enough and introspective enough to agree with much of what we have discussed over the years regarding GOD, God, and god. I understood the basic concepts and agreed somewhat with the likelihood that humans certainly can't really know GOD.In addition, upon critically examining the history of Christianity, I see where the whole Calvinist idea is certainly not above reproach. I won't let go of the idea, however, that GOD wanted a relationship with humans and sent Jesus.
Granted the idea provides a comfort and reassurance that everything will work out and that I won't be a victim of reality and of my previous mistakes in life.Compulsive Gambling was a harsh lesson in reality. Most gamblers struggle with the idea of entitlement, and being owed something...and this too was how I grew up. The fantasy carried over into my religious and spiritual beliefs regarding a personal God. Medically, this is being addressed. I am sober now and calmer.As I age, and as my health is challenged, I sometimes have fears that I wont end up as I feel I should have ended up. Prayer has always provided me with assurance, but lately, I have felt reluctant to pray...as if I am unsure Who is listening. In our conversations, you have been honest regarding your belief on such things, but quite frankly you have left me somewhat disappointed that you don't seem to see GOD the way I see GOD. Let's just get hypothetical a moment:

Why shouldn't GOD want to help me? Why can't I get blessed with money or better health?

Why dont you talk with GOD? Is it really that ridiculous? Why do you limit your meditations to how YOU can do better? Why not ask for help?

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Could it be that the idea that I had about my parents carried over into how I expect God to act towards me? If so, whats so wrong with expecting anything?

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Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Paul was probably SO soaked in prayer nobody else has ever equaled him.~Faith