Jason,

The direction this thread has taken is not edifying, IMHO, and therefore it is being locked. But for the record, the topic is clearly stated as being, <span style="background-color:yellow">"Atonement non-essential?"</span>. You acknowledged that the topic was the "atonement" when you wrote:

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While this is an important issue, it isn't an essential doctrine. The doctrine of salvation is an essential doctrine.
And then William continued on topic when he asked specifically:

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I contend that what was accomplished by Christ's death is essential. What do ya'll think? Essential or non-essential?
However, you switched horses in the middle of the stream by attempting to bring in the topic of "predestination", when you replied from here:

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If you are saying it's important, then you are underscoring what I have said. If you are saying that one's belief on the subject of predestination will effect their eternal destiny, then you have distorted or misunderstood the gospel message (http://gospel.jcsm.org) and you are incorrect.

Now, if you would accept a bit of advice from a fatherly <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/gramps.gif" alt="" />, doubtless it would have been prudent to simply ignore those posts which you found offensive and which asked you to reply, even though you did say this topic and one other would be better discussed in a separate thread, to which I certainly agree. You could have simply stated that you have no interest in discussing anything of these other topics and nothing more and I do believe that would have been the end of it. "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So, as a stranger and one whose theology is antithetical to that on which The Highway is established as well as the majority of members of this Board, may I say with all sincerity, acknowledge that you have walked into the proverbial "lion's den" and it is not very wise to make an sudden or aggressive moves lest you end up being devoured. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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