Recent content by Derf

Profitable to what end? Are you saying it is profitable to make sure we are saved? Why not just profitable to please our Lord? Maybe if we are faithful in these little things, like being holy like He is holy, then He will put us in charge of greater things. Why just in a metaphorical sense...

This has been a delightful conversation, Vlad. Just wanted get that out there. In general that's what I believe, because God is outside of us. But I'm ok with it not being some kind of stuff, a "someTHING" that exists apart from us. Rather it seems to me to be the power of life that is imparted...

The Young's Literal Translation puts it this way: The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Mighty doth quicken me. [Job 33:4 YLT] "Quicken" is mostly used to indicate enlivening someone who is dead or dying. If that's true here, then it gives both an original life-giving and a...

I agree it is parallelism, but the whole of each line parallels the whole of the other. So "the Spirit of God had made me" parallels "the breath of the Almighty gives me life," but taking a portion and comparing it with the other portion doesn't necessarily work. "Has made me" isn't an...

Not if the result is known before they exist. Their own will doesn't exist if they don't exist. But God says he was still testing Abraham. Calling it anthropomorphic doesn't allow you to say it means the opposite of what the text reads, but that's how you are taking it. God's foreknowledge in...

Careful what you ignore: Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. [Pro 8:33 NLT] If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. [Pro 13:18 NLT] Perhaps...or Perhaps not. Here's what most people will get out of it: Any...

Not if you read the book of Acts--which shows it was used during Paul's ministry and referre to those to whom Paul preached. I know you will ignore what I'm saying here, but you've made a claim that is false--that the term somehow only applied to those involved in Christ's earthly ministry to...

Seems like "under the altar" would have significance. The phrase is used in the sacrificial system thusly: And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: [Lev...

None of which addresses the word "disciple(s)", so I still don't get your point. But here is one place where "disciple" is used in relation to Paul and his ministry, curiously where he warns of those who preach false things to the church: Acts 20:30 KJV — Also of your own selves shall men...

I never saw that before. Funny that the authors of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, and Revelation ALSO never used the word disciple. They are soooooo different from the 12. Now, what were you going to say about that difference? Edit: I forgot Jude. He never used it either.

Under the altar? Why are they held prisoner in such a place? It appears to be symbolic language of people that are dead, not living in heaven.

What is authority, if not the power to force someone to do something? So power to decree is a force ("power" and "force" are synonyms. Decree and force are synonyms). But I agree foreknowledge is not a force. However, to know infallibly someone is going to do something before that person exists...

Could be. That's why I prefer the misplaced comma explanation.

Actually, the phrase could be read, "I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise." The commas are added by the translators. In this option "today" modifies the verb "tell", rather than "be". But if the thief is not conscious after his death and before his resurrection, then it will seem...

You are assuming that the eternal soul is something that is integral/foundational to Christianity. But it has been debated for thousands of years and still is today. If it can be debated with all of Paul's writings available to us, why would you think the Thessalonians got it all verbally before...