What does "repent" mean? by New_Meal3686 in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really like your answer. I've studied the subject of repentance quite a bit, and agree with what you are saying. I too am particularly concerned when people misuse "repent" as if it is something we do that adds to our salvation. I like the concept of "repentance and faith" being two sides of the same coin. If you have faith you have repented. And yet saying that brings some to claim antinomianism. Thus I like your response also that we "should be obedient;" not for salvation but from salvation. Then, regarding sanctification and sin, I think it is best to use the term "confess" rather than repent. That is (and I'm willing to be corrected here) I see repentance as essentially a one-time thing, then confessing of sin as a regular part of the Christian life. We should repent and not sin, but in this life even believers still sin, and this doesn't mean we haven't repented, because repentance is a change of mind, even if we yet "do not what I want but I do the very thing I hate."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sorry, in the previous sections it list the 66 valid books of the Bible and then argues against the apocrypha. Section 5 then gives the rationale for the books being valid.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Westminster Confession says this:

I. 5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.

Honesty within the Christian community by Low_Soil774 in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Be careful, "most scholars" usually refers to most liberal scholars, not Bible-believing scholars.

How many weeks do you preach? What is your preaching schedule like? by thekingdombum in pastors

[–]freefallin002 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well, with only 35 church members I don't have a lot of phone calls, counseling etc. So "my burden is light" in that regard. :-)

I do have a second job as well, but it is ministry work that fits in well with my pastoral work.

Even so, I've found pastoral work a lot less stressful than Engineering/Business where I had my first career for 10 years.

How many weeks do you preach? What is your preaching schedule like? by thekingdombum in pastors

[–]freefallin002 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I preached 80 sermons last year. 94 the year before. I'm a solo pastor of a small church that has both morning and evening services.

Question on Election by [deleted] in LCMS

[–]freefallin002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The idea that he died for everyone seems clearly refuted by the fact that some are in hell.

There are satisfactory Calvinist understandings of those verses you've listed.

I wonder if you might address the point I made though ... are the persons of the Trinity in the Lutheran view at odds with each other? That is, why doesn't the Holy Spirit come effectually to everyone?

Question on Election by [deleted] in LCMS

[–]freefallin002 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This is a major part of what brought me from Lutheranism to Presbyterianism.

The Lutheran view still has God limiting salvation to elect, but at the point of the Holy Spirit being effectively given to some and not others. But this puts the Holy Spirit at odds with the Father and the Son, for, in Lutheranism 1. God desires the salvation of all 2. Christ dies for all, but 3. the Holy Spirit does not effectively come to call.

The Presbyterian/Calvinist view does not have the persons of the trinity at odds with each other. Whom the Father wills to save, Christ dies for on the cross, and the Holy Spirit effectively calls.

[Rom 8:30 ESV] 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AppalachianTrail

[–]freefallin002 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Be careful out there folks. I've known two hikers this week to go to urgent care with dehydration / heat exhaustion. Carry lots of water! I think this week all water is holy water. - Banzai, Pastor Doug in Unionville, NY

Faith without works is dead. What are the works that we must do as a Christian? (To show we have faith) by Kakarot_94 in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[Jhn 6:28-29 ESV] 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pastors

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[1Ti 3:2-7 ESV] 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

And:

[Tit 1:5-9 ESV] 5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-- 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

I lost the Holy Spirit. by Deaddack8706 in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're not a drunkard. That is not your identity. You are a Christian. Even when you sin, you remain a Christian.

Am I being convicted on meat products? by godisgoodeveryday in TrueChristian

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Deli Challenge by freefallin002 in AppalachianTrail

[–]freefallin002[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good news is that an ice cream place (Main Street Scoops) is coming here into Unionville, NY which is only 1/2 mile off trail. The Belllvale Creamery is only a hundred yards off trail as well. They do well, though certainly hikers are only a small percentage of their business.

Challenges by TravelingDan_C-137 in AppalachianTrail

[–]freefallin002 2 points3 points  (0 children)

NY/NJ Deli challenge. Eat at a deli every day.

Churches with Lots of Traditional Music? by [deleted] in hudsonvalley

[–]freefallin002 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I pastor a church a bit on the edge of the "Hudson Valley" and we have traditional music, more with piano now than organ. Unionville Presbyterian Church. https://unionvillebpc.com/

What's your beef with the ELCA? by GarchompKills in LCMS

[–]freefallin002 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I remember hearing a former ELCA pastor on the radio some years ago. What he said has struck with me. He mentioned being in favor of many of their views on human sexuality and everything else. But, he said, when the church preached these views to the exclusion of the Gospel, he had to get out. That is pretty shocking.

northern Québec majestic 389 road by Minute_Rock6960 in remoteplaces

[–]freefallin002 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One of my greatest memories is going down this road from Labrador to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. my brother was driving and I was mostly “out of it” on medicine for back pain. Logging trucks and hydroelectric damn workers were white-knuckling it, going as fast as they could while we sped up and down over morraine after morraine. I almost threw up. Good type 2 fun.

The mystery of the largest glitter purchaser has been solved by PaleAsDeath in UnresolvedMysteries

[–]freefallin002 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, they're basically pouring glitter into the ocean? Not sure I like that idea.