Originally Posted by Guest

Oh, my friend, you have clearly failed to understand what I told you previously. I did not set out to convince you of anything, so I have no obligation to prove anything.

In fact, most of my remarks have been directed toward other readers who might be easily mislead by your specious reasoning. In fact, I am confident that until I directed your attention towards Socrates, you had never given a thought to doubting that he once lived.

For those other readers, here is a quick review of some evidences of the transforming power of God's love.

1. The Apostle Paul - Prior to his conversion after being stricken blind while on the road to Damascus, Paul had consented to the stoning of Christians. His mission in Damascus was to arrest Christians and take them to Jerusalem for judgement. His entire life changed after encountering Jesus, and he became the most active missionary for Christianity in the Bible.

2. The Twelve Apostles - All of the Apostles, including the one chosen to replace Judas, had witnessed the risen Jesus, and would die as martyrs (except John) rather than renounce him. John died in exile on the Isle of Patmos, after writing the Gospel of John, the Johannine letters, and Revelation.

3. John Newton - Newton went to sea at age 11 under his father, a British sea captain. Newton was a vile, obscene, dishonest man, who rose through the ranks to become a sea captain himself. He was Captain of a slave ship, transporting slaves from Africa to the Caribbean British Colonies.

After his conversion to Christianity, Newton continued at sea for a while, apparently unfeeling towards the slaves. Finally, after an illness, he gave up the sea. Several years later he was accepted into the Anglican priesthood. His revulsion towards the slave trade was finally complete and he worked with other English abolitionists to pass the laws that ended the slave trade throughout the British Empire.

He is the author of the song "Amazing Grace."

I'm sure Don won't be able to stand watching this video. The rest of you might find it illuminating and interesting. It explains the title of this post.

Wintley Phipps Sings Amazing Grace at Carnegie Hall - YouTube on Vimeo


Carl in Tampa


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