You Might Just Be A Semi-Deist If…

Chalcedon said:
I side with Got Questions below on the issue. Did God create evil ?

God did not create evil, but He does allow evil.
Click to expand...
Chalcedon said:
Did God Create Evil?…

…God did not create evil…
Click to expand...

We can all agree that God did not “create” evil. This is not the point of contention that the OP is addressing…

Chalcedon said:
…The Bible recognizes that evil does exist but God did not create evil.
Click to expand...

Let’s first address this so that we can move on to the point of the OP.

We all agree that God did nor “create” evil but the false assumption is that something other than God did “create” it.

This is also not true. If it was it would also contradict scripture such as…

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Col 1:16)

But since we can all agree Sin/Evil are not a “created thing” it is not an issue in this thread and is not the point of the OP.

Now back to the point of the OP…

“Deism is essentially the view that God exists, but that He is not directly involved in the world. Deism pictures God as the great “clockmaker” who created the clock, wound it up, and let it go. A deist believes that God exists and created the world, but does not interfere with His creation…

Deists deny the Trinity, the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, miracles, and any supernatural act of redemption or salvation. Deism pictures God as uncaring and uninvolved. Thomas Jefferson was a famous deist, referring often in his writings to “Providence.” - GotQuestions


I don’t believe anyone in this forum is a full blown Deist, in the sense that they agree with the part in red,
but what are your thoughts on the part in black?

This is a question of Gods metaphysical relationship with his creation…

Are you, at minimum, a semi-Deist?


CCP​
 
Dizerner said:
It seems to me, everyone who believes God sometimes chooses not to intervene with laws he set in place would qualify for this specific definition.
Click to expand...

This is the point of contention the OP is addressing…

“Deism is essentially the view that God exists, but that He is not directly involved in the world. Deism pictures God as the great “clockmaker” who created the clock, wound it up, and let it go. A deist believes that God exists and created the world, but does not interfere with His creation…

…
 
Sketo said:
We can all agree that God did not “create” evil. This is not the point of contention that the OP is addressing…
Click to expand...



Sketo said:
Let’s first address this so that we can move on to the point of the OP.

We all agree that God did nor “create” evil but the false assumption is that something other than God did “create” it
Click to expand...
May I suggest you continue to point out things like this, to stay on-task?
 
Dizerner said:
If you are willing to call a free willer a semi-determinist than I am willing to call them a semi-deist.
Click to expand...

I have no problem with the titles. The problem is both titles have a problem with scripture.

Both would still contradict scripture because we are discussing the necessary metaphysical relationship between God and his creation.

How can even a semi view, in either direction, not contradict verses like…

Hebrews 1:3 “he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

Colossians 1:17 “he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Acts 17:28 “In him we live and move and have our being”


…
 
Sketo said:
We can all agree that God did not “create” evil. This is not the point of contention that the OP is addressing…



Let’s first address this so that we can move on to the point of the OP.

We all agree that God did nor “create” evil but the false assumption is that something other than God did “create” it.

This is also not true. If it was it would also contradict scripture such as…

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Col 1:16)

But since we can all agree Sin/Evil are not a “created thing” it is not an issue in this thread and is not the point of the OP.

Now back to the point of the OP…

“Deism is essentially the view that God exists, but that He is not directly involved in the world. Deism pictures God as the great “clockmaker” who created the clock, wound it up, and let it go. A deist believes that God exists and created the world, but does not interfere with His creation…

Deists deny the Trinity, the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, miracles, and any supernatural act of redemption or salvation. Deism pictures God as uncaring and uninvolved. Thomas Jefferson was a famous deist, referring often in his writings to “Providence.” - GotQuestions


I don’t believe anyone in this forum is a full blown Deist, in the sense that they agree with the part in red,
but what are your thoughts on the part in black?

This is a question of Gods metaphysical relationship with his creation…

Are you, at minimum, a semi-Deist?


CCP​
Click to expand...
I'm not aware of any regular posters who believe that, certainly not any Arminians on this board.
 
Dizerner said:
You think every time a physical law is followed it's a special miracle not derived from general law?!

How could one differentiate a miracle then?!
Click to expand...

Many falsely assume a “miracle” is God acting where he was not previously acting…

A miracle is God acting different than he normally does.

CCP

…
 
Chalcedon said:
That’s how you define a miracle ?
Click to expand...

Do you assume that God was not causing the water molecules in the Red Sea to function the way they were normally, before he caused them to function differently by parting it?

…
 
Sketo said:
Do you assume that God was not causing the water molecules in the Red Sea to function the way they were normally, before he caused them to function differently by parting it?

…
Click to expand...
No and I’m not talking about molecules and atoms but about miracles in general . Like the blind seeing , the withered hand restored , the dead raised to life etc
 
Chalcedon said:
You and I are closer then you think theologically. I'm just leaning more to the left then I use to be when I was a hard line C when you were on the left side of things before. I'm just a little more left then you are now. :)
Click to expand...
I agree. I think of myself as standing at the Fence on the Calvinist side with my foot on the rail between Calvinism and Arminianism. I used to tell davenoonan that he was on the Arminian side of the fence with his foot on the rail; and we were having a nice conversation...

I don't know if you would say you are that close to the fence; since Dizerner is an Arminian and he believes in God's Wrath at the Cross...
 
Chalcedon said:
No and I’m not talking about molecules and atoms but about miracles in general . Like the blind seeing , the withered hand restored , the dead raised to life etc
Click to expand...

All of these are part of the “all things” worked by God…

“… having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Eph 1:11)

Chalcedon said:
A Miracle by definition is something supernatural, not natural. Do you agree ?
Click to expand...

The only difference with a “miracle” is they do not have a “natural” chain of reasoning that can explain them.

This does not mean that God is not supernaturally working “all things”, it just means in these particular instances God is working them differently from the way he normally does.

…
 
ReverendRV said:
I agree. I think of myself as standing at the Fence on the Calvinist side with my foot on the rail between Calvinism and Arminianism. I used to tell davenoonan that he was on the Arminian side of the fence with his foot on the rail; and we were having a nice conversation...

I don't know if you would say you are that close to the fence; since Dizerner is an Arminian and he believes in God's Wrath at the Cross...
Click to expand...
I miss Dave he was excellent. I might have his email I will check . I’m more like Dave and Doug now .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top