Do you Believe in FREE LOVE?

[Russell Roberts]

The notion of love stripped of freedom, as the doctrine of irresistible grace teaches, has disastrous consequences for our concept of God. John the Apostle declared that "God is love". Love without volition implies a god who has neither and this is a god created by man, not the God who created man and came to die in our stead. No one could take from him what he voluntarily offered. His blood was his gift to us and he had said long ago that life was in the blood. In stark and vivid terms the cross shows what God is really like. Voluntary, sacrificial love.

For man to have the capacity to love requires freedom, which requires a choice, which in turn requires the possibility of evil. That is why there are two trees in the garden and not just one. One is forbidden, the other is freely offered. We still choose to eat from one tree or the other. Paul and Peter both referred to the cross as a 'tree'. In loving obedience to his Father, Jesus hung from the tree of his choice, the tree in the midst of a garden. The tree that dripped with scarlet love. The tree that is still freely offered to us and it looks suspiciously much like a cross.

[Mike Vande]

No, and I don't believe in free lunch either.

[Gerald Creasy]

My ex-wife certainly did.

[dolfan]

Gerald, I love you, man.

[Pastor Gary]

My ex-wife certainly did.

Gerald, I'd go so far as to say she went way past "free" to "generous." You have shown remarkable restraint in your reactions.

[Dr. Ron]

Yes .........I do believe in "free love".....Love not given freely is not love.

Now , what other philosophy do you want to discuss?

Nice to have you aboard.