chesed

I think the underlying question in this matter is ‘are Christians perfect?’, or is there some remnant of the old nature that remains, e.g. pride, self sufficiency etc?

Yes it happens early… Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, but not by man’s devices, schemes, and agendas… John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

That would be your guess but if you look at the context of 2Pet3, Peter is mainly speaking of scoffers in the last days and last day events. So in context Peter is speaking of Paul's eschatology, e.g. 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. Nonetheless, we see not a word about predestination or even election in that chapter.

1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Quite a stretch, I wouldn’t do Bible exegesis that way.

Thanks, I hold that though the Holy Spirit authored the Holy Scriptures, He will not lead us in ways contrary to His Word.

I guess I left idealism back in my hippy days and now am more of a realist. Whatever God promises is possible with God though man may deem it impossible. The problem I see is that God hints at the opposite of faith as time goes on.... Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Paul also weighs in.. 1Tim 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Without faith there isn't much in terms of unity.

Again, my point stands, whatever is decided will have flack. There will be no Shangra-la here on earth until our Lord returns.

That begs the question and kicks the can down the road... Again, who will determine what are the 'core essentials of the faith'?

there's the rub...'who would determine what is the 'divisive, nonsensical fringe stuff'?

I guess my main point is that even in the basic essentials, there would be disagreement. Heck, 'I've seen disagreements over 'what is a born-again Christian?'. (note: I would view the virgin birth as a requirement because 1. As a miracle, it infuriates theological liberals. and 2. It necessarily establishes the sinlessness of Christ. Since all mankind is born in sin, the virgin birth would exclude Jesus...You wouldn't want a Savior who Himself had a sinful nature, would you?)

Even this would make some cringe. How about ‘sufficient for all mankind’? (i.e. efficient for those who believe, yet sufficient for all). Otherwise all mankind would be saved. Then there’s the Virgin birth…without which we would have a Savior tainted with sin. oh heck, why not just the Nicene Creed? We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

If we woke up that would imply we were asleep and surely some would nag us for not staying alert and being watchful. Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

great idea

Sorry, I didn't realize Coheir was God. I thought he was 'coheir'. ¿Did I miss something?

The word for evil in the Hebrew is'calamity'.

Oh. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. — Psalm 51:5 Ok.

Fine, in that case, I would say God doesn't create sinful souls (as stated in the OP) as He isn't the author of evil. They are under the bondage of sin, because of Adam’s sin.

The problem with that is why did He predestinate only 'some' of His family? just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love — Ephesians 1:4 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. — Romans 8:29-30

Perhaps, yet purgatory has no more basis in Scripture than, 'God helps those who help themselves'. If Christians insist on infusion, there's always that possibility.

As well as the ‘rescuer’, ‘ransomer’, ‘redeemer’ motif.

It has quite a bit to do with purgatory when it comes to the selling of indulgences. Paul speaks in terms of ‘working out one’s salvation’ in light of the fact that it is ‘God who is working in us. I suppose one could say ‘we are infused by the Holy Spirit’ but then we are in the realm of sanctification. I believe in Jesus, we have all the grace we need. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. — John 1:17 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9

I’d rather say that grace is the manner in which God deals with undeserving hell-bent sinners, all on account of the merits of Christ. How does that jingle go?… 🎶”He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away.🎶🎶

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. i'm not sure of what else to say.

That would be hard to say as it is not found in the 66 Books I go by. Yes, a guess at best. re:purgatory- Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. I never seen Christ's righteousness as imputed. I know Rome has a concept of 'infused grace'. no thanks.

I would have expected the reason we do not accurately speak of Divine things is due to the remaining sin nature, thus we are looking through a glass darkly. 1Cor13:12 God uses perfect words as His Word is perfect, no mystery is involved. Are you E.O.?