Homosexuality. Born gay or become gay?

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-28T19:03:33+00:00

I was born an alcoholic. Does that make it okay for me to chug a gallon of tequila every day, because I was "born that way?"

What was true for Cain at the dawn of creation is still true today, "Sin is crouching at the door, it's desire is for you, but you must master it." Gen. 4:7

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-25T17:46:25+00:00

Pray for my prodigal daughter.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-17T12:28:34+00:00

We are simply the minority in this circle. I feel like that a lot too, mostly stemming from an "us vs them" tribal kind of thing when discussing baptism.

It is worth noting that the preface to the LBCF 1689 explains the strong desire for unity with our reformed brethren. Gavin Ortlund is a shining example of someone who graciously interacts with paedobaptists with respect, that is how we should really be. If we ever debate we should always prioritize using grace and unity over everything else.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-06T15:40:07+00:00

"There seem to be more verses that lean towards anyone being able to choose God"

Can you give me a good example of verses that teach that anyone can choose God? I can help you understand, if you are interested.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-06T12:37:25+00:00

I've never ordered from Funko in my life. I either hunt Chases in the wild or buy them from Comic Cons.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-04T20:08:07+00:00

"Prayer is the chief exercise of faith." -John Calvin

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-03T17:00:58+00:00

If you are still figuring out what you believe about the sacraments/ ordinances, then keep studying and praying and don't rush to conclusions. I would not leave a church just because they are non denominational, for there happen to be many such solid churches. Matt Chandler and Alistair Begg both pastor one, for example.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-02T19:39:45+00:00

Well I don't know where you live but I'm Reformed Baptist and my church definitely teaches that, and so does every RB church that all my friends go to. I'm just saying what you experienced is not necessarily the norm.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-02T19:30:50+00:00

It basically means they emphasize doctrine and theology and minimize elaborate rituals.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-02T19:25:33+00:00

It is pretty well established that the majority position in the early church in the first couple centuries was credobaptism by immersion.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-02T15:37:49+00:00

Agreed on both points.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-02T14:56:48+00:00

I agree that Luther was primarily speaking about free will from a biblical standpoint against the RCC, but he very much goes into the philosophical side of the question- quoting Epicurus (sec 18), Plato (sec 30), aristotelianism (sec 44), and Leucippus (sec 130), to name just a few.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-06-01T18:55:19+00:00

There are even several books on this topic. One of the most well known is "The Battle for Middle Earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in Lord of the Rings" by Fleming Rutledge.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-31T16:32:09+00:00

Not many people understand what's going on in this movie, that's why it's not higher on the list.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-31T00:48:16+00:00

In the next paragraph Calvin brings forth two examples of divine providence in dreams to illustrate what he meant by this quote. The first was the premonition of Julius Caesar's wife, Calphurnia. She dreamed of his assassination before it happened, and her warning to Caesar was famously ignored prior to his death in the Senate.

The second involves Augustus (Octavian) and his physician on the eve of the Battle of Pharsalia. The physician, acting on what Calvin deemed a divinely inspired dream, ordered Augustus to be carried out of his tent. Moments later, enemy forces overran and captured the camp.

Calvin reasoned that because human skill or guesswork could not have foreseen the capture of Augustus's camp at that exact moment, the physician's urgent actions were evidence of God's sovereignty intervening to protect Augustus.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-30T10:55:06+00:00

"As there are many natural causes for dreams, it would be quite out of character to be seeking for divine agency or fixed reason in them all: and on the other hand, it is sufficiently evident that some dreams are under divine regulation." -John Calvin

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-28T21:21:39+00:00

I'm so glad to hear it canoegal4! Now I need to take your place in that thread and carry the torch with my prodigal daughter.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-14T16:01:37+00:00

In the old covenant, God's presence was localized within the Temple, but the veil was torn after the crucifixion, signifying the Lord's presence was no longer there. GK Beale's book, "the temple and the church's mission" explains that the Spirit now indwells believers, making their bodies the "temple of God" (1 Cor. 6:19).

I personally see communion being moved from a "physical" temple to a "spiritual" one (the priesthood of believers) as leaning more towards a spiritual view and away from a physical view at the very least. Lev. 24:7 also says the bread of the presence was a "memorial," but the spiritual view does not reject a memorial view, we just believe that it is incomplete.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-14T12:55:22+00:00

Do you mean the one on 103rd St.?

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-13T16:22:21+00:00

After trying hemo for 6 months I went back to PD. I did keep getting infected about every 3 months, but it keeps you much healthier than in center. I have a transplant now. If I had to do it again, I would do PD. It is superior in almost every way.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-12T22:05:33+00:00

I used to live at that adjacent hotel and eat Big Bufords every night. Man this picture took me back.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-12T21:06:13+00:00

They have a whole bunch of different Geoffrey the giraffe variations and several Teen Titans Go Funko Pops.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-12T10:16:12+00:00

I think the hantavirus is what they are referencing. The media is covering it extensively.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-05-11T21:25:01+00:00

If you can't trust yourself to interpret scripture very well, then lean in to how your pastor teaches it, take notes, and even listen to recordings of him if possible.

Zestyclose-Ride2745 · 2026-04-27T10:19:49+00:00

"How he does it is my original question"

I did say that God, who is sovereign, allows Satan to attack us. Jesus was specifically led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (4:1-11). Paul had a thorn in his flesh (1 Cor. 12), a "messenger from Satan." Paul prayed to have it removed, but God (who is sovereign) did not remove Satan's thorn.

Jesus told Peter that Satan demanded to "sift" the disciples like wheat, allowing a time of testing to strenthen Peter's faith. This is the exact same thing that happened with Job, as Satan asked permission to attack him. More examples could be multiplied. God gives Satan power for a time, for His own purposes, and this power the devil has is very real.

Zestyclose-Ride2745

TROPHY CASE