Outcome of Gooning Despite Christian Efforts to Resist
The Outcome of Gooning Despite Christian Efforts to Resist
The concept of gooning, or demonic influence, is a significant aspect of Christian theology, particularly in the context of spiritual warfare. According to Matthew 17:21, Jesus taught that certain kinds of demonic possession "go not out, but by prayer and fasting" [1]. This verse suggests that Christians can resist demonic influence through spiritual practices.
The Bible teaches that Christians will face persecution and spiritual opposition, but it also assures them that they are not alone in their struggles. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 13:2 that those who resist the authorities ordained by God will receive judgment [2]. However, Acts 5:39 warns that resisting God's will can lead to fighting against God [3].
In the view of Reformed theologians like John Calvin, Christians are engaged in a spiritual struggle against evil forces. Calvin argued that Satan and other evil spirits are under God's control, and that God uses them to test believers [5]. According to Calvin, believers must persevere in their faith despite the challenges they face, and they can do so through the power of God's Spirit [7].
The outcome of gooning despite Christian efforts to resist is not always clear-cut. While some Christians may be delivered from demonic influence through prayer and fasting, others may continue to struggle. The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, has grappled with the question of whether Christians can be delivered from eternal punishment. Aquinas noted that some have argued that Christians who receive the sacraments will be immune from eternal punishment, but he rejected this view as contrary to Scripture [4].
The Patristic tradition, as represented by Augustine, also addressed the issue of resisting evil influences. Augustine argued that the Catholic Church must resist heretics and schismatics, even if they claim to be Christian [6]. In his view, the Church must maintain its unity and truth in the face of opposition.
Reformed theologians like Charles Hodge have also discussed the issue of perseverance in the face of spiritual opposition. Hodge argued that the reason why some people repent and believe the Gospel while others do not is due to God's sovereignty [8]. According to Hodge, God's grace is not resistible, and those who are elected will persevere in their faith.
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 17:21 (Geneva1599) — Howbeit this kinde goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.”
- Romans “Romans 13:2 (ASV) — Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.”
- Acts “Acts 5:39 (BSB) — But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.””
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of God's Mercy and Justice towards the Damned, Art. 4: Article: Whether the punishment of Christians is brought to an end by the mercy of God? I answer that, According to Augustine (De Civ. Dei xxi, 20,21), there have been some who predicted a delivery from eternal punishment not for all men, but only for Christians. although they stated the matter in different ways. For some said that whoever received the sacraments of faith would be immune from eternal punishment. But this is contrary to the truth, since some receive the sacraments of fai”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: therefore, he has of himself, and his own iniquity, that he eagerly, and of set purpose, opposes God, aiming at those things which he deems most contrary to the will of God. But as God holds him bound and fettered by the curb of his power, he executes those things only for which permission has been given him, and thus, however unwilling, obeys his Creator, being forced, whenever he is required, to do Him service. 18. God thus turning the unclean spirits hither and thither at his pleasure, employs them in exercising believers by war”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 51.--THAT THE CATHOLIC FAITH MAY BE CONFIRMED EVEN BY THE DISSENSIONS OF THE HERETICS. (part 1): But the devil, seeing the temples of the demons deserted, and the human race running to the name of the liberating Mediator, has moved the heretics under the Christian name to resist the Christian doctrine, as if they could be kept in the city of God indifferently without any correction, just as the city of confusion indifferently held the philosophers who were of diverse and adverse opinions. Those, therefore, in the Church of Christ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 39: good will is still weighed down by the burden of the flesh, and prevented from rising, it is added, that, to meet the difficulties of the contest, God supplies the persevering effort until the effect is obtained. Indeed, the Apostle could not otherwise have said, as he elsewhere does, that “it is the same God which worketh all in all,” ( 1 Cor. 12:6 ); words comprehending, as we have already observed (sec. 6), the whole course of the spiritual life. For which reason, David, after praying, “Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in t”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 139: Paris, 1608, vol. iv. p. 420, d. Here the main principle which distinguishes Augustinianism from all other schemes of doctrine is conceded. Why does one man repent and believe the Gospel, while another remains impenitent? The Augustinian says it is because God makes them to differ. He gives to one what He does not give to another. All Anti-Augustinians say that the reason is, that the one coöperates with the grace of God, and the other does not; or, the one yields, and the other does not; or, that the one resists, and the other does not.”