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To: fortheDeclaration
The point of contention is not the 'drawing' but the resisting which the Calvinist says is impossible.

I'll accept this change in tactics, even though the article was sweating over the word "helko", trying to convince the world that it meant something other than "drag".

I don't think that I am the only person who has reminded those schooled in Wesleyian soteriology that this very same question of "resisting" is smacked down rather hard by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9 (see your question asked in v18). Since the usual debate on predestination works on Romans 9, and fearing that there would be mission creep and all of the "Five Points" would come under fire, I tried to go the scenic route and ask those who like the prospects of free-will take a trip down Memory Lane and read Job, particularly the part where God reminds man where man's place in the Universe is. I would think after that humbling experience it would be difficult for the Free Will Theorist to thump his chest and say "my decision", despite the word of the Apostle John (1:12-13), which clearly states that salvation is not something you inherit, or forced upon you by men, or something you choose on your own.

Moreover, it is the Calvinist who consistently overlooks Jn.12:32 where Christ said that He would draw all men to Him.

So the Wesleyian thinks that "Man's Will" is the Almighty Creator God's kryptonite. You would think that God's only weakness, His Archille's Heel, the point of vulnerability, the part of His own creation that escapes His control and defies His power will get a bit more recognition than through some wresting of John 12:32.

Well, I don't consider myself a "Calvinist", because "Calvinism" is more than just TULIP, it is a whole systematic understanding of theology that happens to include T,U, some 'L',I, and P. And these days, the label "Calvinist" is treated by others in the same way the KKK considers the word "nigger". Keep in mind that Spurgeon and John Gill, both Baptists, believed in the Doctrines of Grace, and yet it is the presbyterians in larger part who have taken Calvin in as one of their own. But if you like the modern day pejorative "Calvinist", then that's OK.

John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."

There is that word "draw" (helkuo) again. The problem is that you have created a double standard, and that is why there is no chance to persuade you through word studies alone. As the thread started, the Weslyians have rejected the original meaning of "helkuo" and have redefined it with a word of their own preference, and we have already been around that tree. Now the Greek says "pántas helkúsoo prós emautón", or rough word for word translation: "'all' 'will draw' {men} 'unto' 'me'" The word "men" is inserted because the context of the passage makes 'pántas' mean, based on whether we are speaking individualy or collectively to "all people", or "all peoples". And there is a difference between the two, the former seems to be your preferred translation "every person of every land and every time without distinction", and "some of all types". If I say that "pántas" is presented as a collective and therefore yields a "some of all types" translation (as the New King James translators have read it), then the Weslyian, in defense of this proof-text, will attack my defintion (which in this case has basis). If you don't attack my choice, then the redefintion of "draw" to mean "persuade" (which, if "persuade" was the author's intent, the author would have used the word "peitho") is moot since God could be said to only effectively woo some people, but not everyone without distinction.

I could give you plenty of passages in Scripture where "pás" (root word) does not mean "everyone without distinction" (example: Mark 1:5, did everyone with absolutely no exception go to the river Jordan and become baptized, or where some from all classes of men represented?). Granted, "all" could mean "everyone without distinction", and so the argument would continue to be between "absolute all", and "representative all".

This is where it gets difficult to discuss these things with the Free Will Theorist. The FWT will be free and loose concerning select words and be irrationally dogmatic about a single specific meaning on another. In a vacuum, outside of context, and isolated from any doctrinal biases, "pántas" can mean absolute or representative and no one can be reasonably dogmatic about either view. But the word "helkuo" is specific in meaning and clearly means "to drag". If "woo", "persuade" or "influence" was the intent then John would have used "peitho". You have stolen John's ability to actually say "to drag" because you have hijacked the meaning of "helkuo" to be a synonym of "peitho" and have left us with no word to say "to drag". It is dishonest to do so, and is even made worse when one treats the proof-text like a bottle rocket and shoots if far away from its context.

But let's reinforce a point made earlier. Romans 9 must be one of those chapters torn out of the Weslyian Loose-Leaf Bible because you ask this question:

And God chose you to be saved and rejected others the basis of what?

Clearly the FWT is hung-up on merit. In FWT soteriology, it is by merit that one is saved. For example: "I am saved because I chose Christ". The word "because" says that the "cause" for being saved is "I chose", or "I did a meritorious thing" (since we can't say "work" even though "work" is implied). How is it meritorious? Because by doing it, one has received a benefit - that is "eternal life". In contrast, by NOT doing "it", then one receives the default, which is death. Classic cause and effect equation. By doing a good thing, in "choosing Christ", the consequence, or the reward is eternal life. Just like a job, the employer extends the employee the opportunity to do a good thing (make the employer some money), and if the employee does the right thing, then the reward is a wage. The good work in this case is nothing to strenuous or time consuming, just do the right thing and "choose Christ". This makes salvation contingent on merit. This same meritocracy is polluting the question you asked. The Bible keeps telling us that salvation is not based on merit. (Eph 2:8-9) nor is it based on some alleged free will choice of man (John 1:12-13). What Romans 9 does indeed teach is that "we don't know" why God made some people as vessels of mercy and made other people vessels of wrath. We do know why we have both types (to show God's Glory) , but we don't know why "Jacob I loved and Esau I hated". It is the Potter's choice to create vessels that suits his purpose. And your question that you have posed is just as defiant against God's arbitrary means of choosing one over the other as the hypothetical questioner in Paul's "conversation".

So to answer your question, is to admit that God operates salvation based on merit, and I and the Bible categorically deny that such a system exists. And I am equally offended that you consider God's soveriegnty and His infinite wisdom to be "willy-nilly". I would expect that kind of language and sentiment to come from the mouths of scoffers. But in your "willy-nilly" treatment of the Wisdom of God, there is a reflection of the overall attitude shared by the anthropocentric doctrines of the FWT.

Luke 15:7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

What is the point, you ask? Simple. If the FWT believes that Man is sovereign over his own salvation, and the ultimate decision belongs to Man, then when the FWT uses his (alleged) free-will to "choose Christ", then the cause of joy in heaven will be due to the Man and not God. The reason that heaven is rejoicing is not because of God, but the focus and purpose of their joy is about You. Am I the only one seeing the blasphemy here in that Man is receiving the Glory that is really due only to God and God alone?

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

Before you get puffed up and think that God's Plan requires Him to let you take control, be reminded of this: The only thing made by man that will be in Heaven are the scars on the Son of God. It ain't something to brag about.

In regards to your slander against "Calvinists" by ridiculing Jonah and distorting the reason for his demeanor, it is more indicitive of a troubled mind that has contempt for God's Wisdom and seeks to replace the perfect and Holy God's wisdom with the egocentric and corrupted desires of the flesh. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God

13 posted on 07/05/2003 9:47:11 AM PDT by Dr Warmoose
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To: Dr Warmoose
Couldn't have said it any better myself. Thanks for the Greek lesson; God hasn't given me the gift of language studies . You mentioned you wouldn't call yourself a "Calvinist" per se-- do you have disagreement with others of the 5 points, or is it over something less important? I, for example, hold completely to the TULIP, but don't agree at all with Calvin's theocratic designs for his Geneva, I believe there was only one theocracy, and that was set up, and set down by God directly.
17 posted on 07/06/2003 4:56:57 PM PDT by John_burchett
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