Biblical Christianity 101, a study of the book of Romans

[Drich]

By the way, I want you to pause and think about what you're really doing, here.

You're sitting there, lecturing a group of atheists about how Paul says people who reject God after being witnessed to only do so because they choose the evil over the good, and expect us not to notice that Paul is saying "everyone is like this, except for those who are saved?"

Show me where Paul says Everyone is Evil who is not saved. Paul in Acts 17 Shows us that their are those who do not know God yet try and worship what they do know of God. This group like the saved Group is not considered Evil, just sinful. They are in sin and need attonement, but are not evil with no hope of salvation.

So again, two groups, one evil/no hope. one sinful still hell bound without salvation, but not 'written off' by God. The 'save' even though 'saved' are still and always will be so long as we draw breath are sinners, just like the group in acts 17.

You want to split hairs to make it sound like Paul is saying that the nature of the Saved persons is different. He doesn't say that. He's only saying that the power of Christ's salvation is transformative. He is not referring to someone else, but to "there but for the grace of God go I."

Not saying that.

Pointing out that this position is not really found expressed in the same way in Acts (written by others) versus what he wrote himself is what I would expect of any honest Biblical scholar. You are not on that list, I'm afraid. But go on, continue to split hairs in an obvious way to an audience who has been blasted with that very message since we came out as atheists to our religious friends/family, and tell us we missed the real message because of a fine point about grammar which you contend and we do not see... and keep insisting that we "just don't get it".

Then go read a copy of How To Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie, because you're doing it wrong.

The truth is you don't get it because you believe christian is a shade of black and white that you think you know. fact is just by what youve written today you believe this is all about good believers and evil non believers. and me trying to subdivide this grouping of your is somehow splitting hairs, it's not.

It's about evil people, and sinners. we are all sinners. Evil people love the sin they are in. Their are no 'good people.' So again, Paul subdivides the sinners into those who heard the gospel and believe and those who have not heard. something Paul discusses at length in chapter 10 and 11 if we are allowed to get there. this is what was recorded in Acts 17 from a 3rd person perspective. Paul in practice teaching the greek scholars what he will be telling the romans in his own words in chapter 10 and 11.