@ghost-of-a-duke said
It wasn't 'my' understanding. It was the biblical understanding.

By the way, it's odd how much this post makes you sound like josephw and sonship.

@rajk999 said
To get the free gift into your analogy we can stick Covid in there. Covid stopped the world from flying. Covid is analogous to the sin of Adam which came upon all men – both those who sinned and those who did not. Lets assume that Pfizer came up with 100% perfect vaccine and issued it to everyone through one instantaneous act. All people were vaccinated and can now fly… that ...[text shortened]... said not all people will use it, as thee are things to do to use the free gift of the plane ticket..

This is a very interesting analogy.

@rajk999 said
Now back to your analogy. I would say that your analogy describes the gift of God, eternal life, there is work to be done and things to do before you get on that plane. It does not describe the free gift or that part of eternal life [justification] that man did nothing to earn.

The "work to be done", as you put it, in my analogy corresponds to "the packing, the taxi, the trip, the check-in, the departure lounge, and the boarding". This is analogous to walking the walk, so to speak.

@fmf said
By the way, it's odd how much this post makes you sound like josephw and sonship.

I made the statement as an atheist. Clearly (on account of my atheism) it is not my personal understanding/belief but what is clearly written in the bible and relating to the passages from scripture I presented you with.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
I made the statement as an atheist. Clearly (on account of my atheism) it is not my personal understanding/belief but what is clearly written in the bible and relating to the passages from scripture I presented you with.

Our interpretations differ. There are no "personal sentiments" in play. You can riff on that - as if it's a debating point - all you like.

Do have an analogy for the "free gift" in question?

@fmf said
Our interpretations differ. There are no "personal sentiments" in play. You can riff on that - as if it's a debating point - all you like.

Do have an analogy for the "free gift" in question?

I didn't mention personal sentiments.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
It was packed with personal sentiment rather than biblical understanding.

You mentioned them here. You've mentioned them over and over and over again over the last few days

@fmf said
You mentioned them here. You've mentioned them over and over and over again over the last few days

Then stop sharing them. (Your personal sentiments).

@ghost-of-a-duke said
Then stop sharing them. (Your personal sentiments).

I'm sharing my interpretation, not my personal sentiments. Riffing on this is just you deflecting.

@fmf said
The "work to be done", as you put it, in my analogy corresponds to "the packing, the taxi, the trip, the check-in, the departure lounge, and the boarding". This is analogous to walking the walk, so to speak.

Correct. The very little that one needs to do to benefit from the free flight is like the Christian walk and the good works one must do to get eternal life as Jesus clearly explained.

@rajk999 said
Correct. The very little that one needs to do to benefit from the free flight is like the Christian walk and the good works one must do to get eternal life as Jesus clearly explained.

This was more or less a key element of my Christian faith [and the Christians I moved amongst... and still do to this day!] for nearly three decades and I arrived at it through a holistic consideration of what the Bible teaches.

@fmf said
This was more or less a key element of my Christian faith [and the Christians I moved amongst... and still do to this day!] for nearly three decades and I arrived at it through a holistic consideration of what the Bible teaches.

Many have gone down your road and disagreed with the church dogma. Its interesting that you can disagree with the church and still be in line with what Jesus preached.

@rajk999 said
Many have gone down your road and disagreed with the church dogma. Its interesting that you can disagree with the church and still be in line with what Jesus preached.

I lost my belief in the things Christians claim about the identity of Christ and the significance of his death.

@fmf said
I lost my belief in the things Christians claim about the identity of Christ and the significance of his death.

I dont think that matters or matters very little. What is critical is that you clearly [judging from you posts over the years], hold the teachings of Jesus Christ in high regard, being a model for righteous living. This and this alone, provided you are able to live the life Jesus said, places you miles above church Christians who belittle the teachings of Christ as works salvation, and have cast aside these commandments.

@rajk999 said
I have no opinion on this matter.

Dodge noted.