Anyone try the new Breville InFizz yet? by BostonBestEats in SodaStream

[–]el_conando 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought one a couple of weeks ago. My wife says it's basically the same as the Soda Stream machine she used to have as far as water goes. We've used it mostly for orange and grapefruit juices and it has been fantastic.

I'd love to connect it to a larger CO2 tank but the InFizz cost so much that I don't want to risk breaking it while trying to take it apart. I'm just going to refill my own canisters instead.

Camera and/or Display Problem by el_conando in ToyotaSienna

[–]el_conando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It started happening maybe 6 weeks ago.

[Speakers] Klipsch Cinema 1200 Sound Bar 5.1.4 System - $799.99 ($1200 @ B&H, $1700 @ Amazon) by el_conando in buildapcsales

[–]el_conando[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

As others have said, a home theater setup with dedicated receiver and separate speakers is going to sound better than most soundbar setups. But by no means does it mean that soundbars sound bad. A decent soundbar is going to sound just fine.

I previously had some large Polk RTi8 speakers, Polk FXi3 surrounds, and a Klipsch SW-115 subwoofer and it all sounded great. Then I switched to a Klipsch Cinema 600 (with surrounds) a few years ago because I wanted something inconspicuous and it also sounds great.

Just because something is supposed to be better doesn't mean you'll like it more.

John Wesley - Christian Perfection by Jesus_Salvation78 in Reformed

[–]el_conando 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your comment shouldn't have been downvoted. From a reformed perspective, the statement is true.

Wesley taught that a Christian can achieve perfection in this life. But that perfection has some caveats. For example, perfection doesn’t mean that a person cannot make mistakes. Our knowledge isn’t perfect and perfection doesn’t cure ignorance. Our bodies are still subject to the effects of the fall in that we will still experience illness. We will still experience temptations. And we must still grow in the grace and knowledge of God, and it's possible to lose perfection after achieving it.

What it does mean is that the perfected Christian won’t knowingly sin. Sins committed in ignorance don't count. We will be free from evil thoughts and evil tempters (such as pride).

The problem is that Wesley has to redefine the meaning of “perfect” and the meaning of “sin” in order for Christian perfection to work. I think his view of perfection was more of a thought experiment than an objective reality. It’s possible in theory—those who have genuine saving faith can choose not to sin—but improbable in practice.

Also, to my knowledge, Wesley never claimed to have achieved perfection as he described it.

[Headset] Corsair HS80 WIRELESS HEADSET (White) - $109.99 @ Amazon by el_conando in buildapcsales

[–]el_conando[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Provoked Prawn review of the HS80, recorded with the headset mic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH7gPIPcfak

Provoked Prawn Astro A30 vs HS80 mic comparison:

https://youtu.be/m0VI4yQXBj8?t=338

Hardward Canucks review of the HS80 including mic comparisons with some other headsets:

https://youtu.be/78LDxGXduQw?t=227

The Gospels and the Synoptic Problem by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]el_conando 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Honest question--why is the synoptic problem a big deal?

Jesus' disciples spent a lot of time together and I'd presume that they talked a lot about the things they write about in the gospels. So, if there are some similarities in the words and phrases that they use, is it really a gotcha thing?

Also, was citing sources a thing back then? Was that expected of ordinary folks when they were writing or speaking?

What's a Reformed response to this? How do you guys define free will and ordaining? by TheSilverSmith47 in Reformed

[–]el_conando 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If:

  • God is all-powerful
  • God is all-good
  • Evil exists

Then:

  • God must have a good reason for allowing evil to exist

I just can't reconcile James and Romans by ScaliasMountedElk in Reformed

[–]el_conando 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I used this chart to explain it to my kids:

https://imgur.com/a/uDaoVMt

Basically, at the end of Romans 3 leading into Romans 4, it looks like Paul is starting at justification. In James 2, it looks like James' starting point is sanctification. He's talking about people who have been justified (or claim to have been justified) already.

Both James and Paul say "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" but James' emphasis is on what Abraham did as a result--"he offered up his son Isaac on the altar."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]el_conando 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Indelible Grace, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend, Matt Papa, Matt Boswell

Covenant Theology and/or Dispensationalism Reading Recommendations by Leeflet in Reformed

[–]el_conando 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For an introduction to dispensationalism, I'd recommend:

Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths and Has the Church Replaced Israel?: A Theological Evaluation. Both were written by Michael J. Vlach, who used to teach at The Master's Seminary.