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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 11:48 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Do you believe in eternal security? That christians were predetermined to be saved? If so what would be the consequence of a Christian committing apostasy?
Thanks. I believe in a key distinction between presumption and assurance. Some people reckon that it is presumptuous to say they know that God will accept them into his presence when they die. However, that thinking is based on being accepted by good works - what we do. We can be assured of being accepted by God because it is based on what God has done in Christ and our joining in with that in trust. Since it is not based on us, but on God, then it is not presumptous to be assured of heaven. It is merely taking God at his word - and he is reliable.
I believe that we who repond in faith and trust are chosen by God, but I also believe that we are responsible for our response in faith. Again, a strange paradox. A Christian who commits apostasy is a difficult question. Some who do so, return later to the faith.Others don't. God doesn't force people, but always long for them to return to him.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 11:10 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
As a Christian can killing ever be justified?
Thanks. Only in protecting another's life. We have to protect the vulnerable. A massacre of civilians in Bengahzi was avoided this year by Gaddafi's tank commanders being killed by NATO airpower.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:17 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
How can God permit believers to heaven if not all hear the word of his disciples?
Thanks. God welcomes people into heaven not through what they have done, but through what he has done in Jesus of Nazareth. He takes the initiative and relates to people through dreams and visions and healings as well as through preaching. Not all will be able to hear the word, but that does not mean that those who have heard and respond will not be welcomed by God. Concerning those who are in a context who can't learn about Jesus, have a look at:
http://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/?3
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:45 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Can an atheist ever be right (on any subject) or does their belief cause incompatibility?
Thanks. Yes. Dawkins is right about DNA - because God created DNA and even though Dawkins doesn't believe in God, God still created DNA. Atheists in the former Soviet Union systematically killed and imprisoned people for their beliefs, including millions of Jews. If God doesn't exist, any morality is possible. That raises many more complex questions...
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
06 Oct, 2011 01:31 PM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Do you believe in eschatological verification?
Thanks. Yes, but since eschatology involves 'now' as well as 'then' - for Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God and it will one day be complete -verification can begin now... BTW, someone once quipped: 'just because we don't know the meaning of eschatology, it's not the end of the world...'
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:21 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
Does life ever end?
Thanks. I believe that our individual lives end when we die, but that we are raised to meet God. That will be quite a meeting...Also, I believe that the whole universe, one day, will be recreated and that after that, life in all its fullness will deepen and deepen for ever.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
05 Oct, 2011 10:22 AM
Previously Gryphon School wrote:
When does life begin?
After the first cup of coffee in the morning, I reckon...
I believe human life begins at conception.
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Eleventh live discussion Wed 28 September 2011, Gryphon School, Sherborne, Dorset.
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
02 Feb, 2011 11:25 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Previously Bishop Graham wrote:
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What are your views on fertility treatment?
Thanks. God reveals the way he has designed the universe and people to scientists through their research. I don't see a problem with couples who sadly have difficulty having babies seeking fertility treatment and now some profound christians who have had children through IVF.
Ok, but do you think there are some exceptions to this eg an age limit?
Thanks. It does sometimes seem strange to me for women well beyond the usual age for having children to have fertility treatment eg in their mid 50s.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
02 Feb, 2011 11:28 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Previously Bishop Graham wrote:
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
Good morning Bishop, Its James, Steph, laura and Beth here, what are your veiws on the euthyphro dilemma?
Hi James, Steph, laura and Beth. Wow! I think this is to do with Plato's question whether things are good because God commands them or are good in themselves. Great question. God is utterly good and knows what is good for the universe and for people. He doesn't command things which aren't good. Maybe not much help, but all I can do in a crowded cafe at the moment...
So if commands only goodness, why is it that evil happens?
Thanks. This takes us back to the discussion earlier about the gift of free will given to us by God to respond to the good or not.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
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Bishop Graham
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last modified
02 Feb, 2011 11:21 AM
Previously Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne wrote:
What makes the bible right when it is written by men, not God?
Thanks. I think it was written by people and inspired by God's Holy Spirit. I agree that if written only by people, it would not be clear that it is worth taking seriously throughout the world, through various centuries. However, it is the best selling book, has transformed the lives of millions of people for years and speaks to people of all cultures when it is translated into their mother tongue.
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Fifth live discussion Wed 26 Jan 2011, Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
