GeorgeStGeorge

If you have a "dollar cinema," go there! So what if you see the movie two weeks later than everybody else? And feed the kids BEFORE you go! You can probably feed a family of four a decent meal for the price of one large popcorn and a coupleof drinks at the theater. George P.S. Buying in bulk isn't always cheaper. Sometimes the tougher packaging required for a large size may cost more. I've often found that two half-gallons of orange juice cost less that a gallon. If your store lists cost per unit (ounce, pound, whatever) next to the price, that will tell you which is a better deal.

Alden does appear to be a fine young man. And he's preaching a worthwhile message. I use Ad-Aware regularly. Let's hear it for Bow + Son! George

This was just as much of a surprise to me when stumbling upon this, as it might be to you, but - No he ISN'T. Satan is NOT the "God of this World" - at least here in 2 Cor.4. This passage does NOT refer to Satan or "the Devil". At least the second-century early Christians I've read -namely, Tertullian of Carthage in his work against Marcion (Book V) - did not interpret "the God of this world" (or "Aeon") as "Satan". Tertullian, rather than rebuking Marcion for identifying the "God of this world" as "the Old Testament God (in contrast to the New Testament God) - merely shifted a comma _and actually agreed _ with Marcion, that the "God of this World" was - at least to Tertullian's view - the one and same God of both the Old and New Testaments. So we've one proto-orthodox dude and one heretic here who are agreed on one thing - Satan is not the "God of this world" in 2 Cor.4:4. Danny I must admit that I'm not up to speed on Marcion or Tertullian. Correct me if I'm wrong, But I seem to recall Marcion equating Jehovah (i.e., the Old Testament God) with Satan, in that he couldn't reconcile teh apparent hardness of the OT God with the love and light of the NT. As described by Bullinger, et al., OT declarations of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, sending plagues, etc., was an eastern expression of permission; i.e., God allowed such things to happen. (While I agree with Garth that the term "free will" doesn't arise in scripture, I find it inconceivable that God would take over Pharaoh and make him evil just so He could punish him with plagues!) Something else that must be considered is that at least three different Greek words are translated "world": ge, meaning the actual substance of the planet; kosmos, the inhabited world; and aeon, or age. The ge is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. God so loved the kosmos that He gave His son. The god of this aeon has blinded the minds of those who are lost. I don't have the time now to elaborate (my lunch hour is almost up); but I expect that a working of these words, and especially aeon, will show that the god of this world cannot be Jehovah and must be Satan. George

Happy Birthday! Any news on that OTHER stuff we're praying for? ;)--> George

By the way, Rascal, I hope you don't think I'm trying to guilt you into anything. My point is simply that those verses in Luke do not require repentance before forgiveness is given. George

All right, boys and girls, how about this? God tells the Devil that his seed will be at enmity with the seed of the woman. IN EVERY INSTANCE in the Old Testament, zera, translated "seed," refers literally to seed or figuratively to progeny. So even if "children" or "sons" can refer to followers, what is teh Devil's "seed," if not his children? George

TheEvan, These scriptures have been mentioned a number of times. You might want to check out p. 11 of this thread, among others. George

Perhaps you or Eagle could explain why you believe that to have seed someone (or something) must be God. I've got plenty of seed and no illusions of Godhood. And, incidentally, Satan IS the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4). George

Great post again, Socks. If you ever get bored with GSC, you could mediate peace talks in the Middle East! :)--> George

Am I the only one who finds it ironic tht a thread about forgiveness is so full of acrimony? --> Rascal, the scripture in Luke that you keep refering to DOES SAY that if someone repents, you are to forgive him. There are also plenty of scriptures, some presented by me, Oldiesman, and others, that say it's fine to forgive someone who doesn't repent. So forgive whom you please; it's up to YOU. ALL OF YOU -- PIPE DOWN and PLAY NICE! George

I remember years ago writing to VPW because I thought that "Uncle Harry Day" was strongly reminiscent of a RC feast day. I received a polite response from him, not so much answering my point as deflecting it. Starting the next year, however, it was now "Burn the Chaff Day." So maybe back then there was some willingness to listen. Years later, though, it wouldn't happen. I got booted from TWI for questioning LCM's statement that "the only reason for a space program is military dominance." Sheesh! George

And no one has to substantiate it, either. As I mentioned several days ago, people don't "go seed-boy" out of the blue. Assuming a reasonable amount of communication within his kingdom, the Devil does not need to be omniscient OR omnipresent to know when someone has been seduced into committing the unforgiveable sin, just aware. Secondly, even if we accept Eagle's premise that the Devil must give up some of himself in order to father someone, there is no way to know how much power he has or how much (or how little) must be expended to father someone. The number of his children is far less than the number of the children of God (praise God!). Incidentally, I'm not omnipotent, either, but I could have a WHOLE LOT of children if each one of my seeds resulted in a birth! George

I was tested in this manner years ago. Actually, questionnaires were given to several of my co-workers, and THEIR responses were used to determine my social style. I turned out to be an analytical-analytical, meaning I consider Spock to be impulsive! :)--> I do tend to stick with things that work, rather than trying something new. I AM, however, a lot of fun at parties! George

Valerie, Check your PTs. George

That's up to you, I suppose. LCM DID have some lucid moments, though. George

Dave, I tried to answer this early on: "To dmiller, LCM explained this. The devil was well aware of the promise of the seed of the woman crushing his seed. He was not able to copy the Christian new birth, of course, but was able to mimic natural seed. This spiritual "seed" left his "children" open to posession at any time. Having committed the unforgivable sin, his children would never turn to the true God." Does this answer your question? George

It seems to me, that if we are to take "children of God" in this verse literally, we must also take "children of the devil" literally. George

So it's not just TWI that you have issues with? George

Thirty in Way Builders, but only ONE in legal? George

Actually, the way LCM always described it was that the "seed" was a spiritual wedge that left the person open to spirit possession at any time. I never heard it refered to as any form of spiritual life whatsoever. George

To Templelady and Keith re point #3: Who said the Devil's seed is LIFE? It's DEATH, and Satan is the father of it. When one commits the unforgiveable sin, i.e., becomes a child of the Devil, he will not repent, so God can't save him. (To do so, God would have to override the person's free will.) George

Seafood? Fish bones? I thought this thread was about brownies!!! Seriously...great post, Socks. Where were you eight pages ago? George