[HarleyD]

I understand completely where Spurgeon is coming from. I read several short summaries of John Wesley autobiography and was also impressed with his commitment to our Lord Jesus. You won’t hear me bash John Wesley, the man. However, I don’t think I would have classified him as an apostle but that’s just me.

How does this square with Gal 1:8-9? The message of the cross is simple;

“if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” Rom 10:9

I look at “another gospel” as anything outside this statement. Anyone who wants to add anything to this is preaching a different gospel. Many Arminians (if I’m permitted to used that term) would agree.

Where Spurgeon has issues is in “…the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification”. The scriptures says:

“Salvation belongs to the Lord” Psalms 3:8

Yet people treat it like they have a decision. For the moment forget all the doctrinal interpretations. Try to think outside the box that we don’t have free will to make that choice; that salvation is given to individuals by God. We don’t even ask for it. From this perspective wouldn’t it seem, as Spurgeon says, that people who say they make a choice to follow God are assisting in their own justification? While it has nothing to do with the message of the cross, it robs God of what He has done for us.

God redeems all sorts of people in all sorts of conditions; Sprugeon, Wesley, etc. But in His great love to rescue us He tolerates our insolences.

[xzins]

Where Spurgeon has issues is in “…the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification”. The scriptures says: “Salvation belongs to the Lord” Psalms 3:8......outside the box...

Actually, Harley there is only one issue here and that issue is biblical authority.

I can easily think outside the box. I understand how the bible is constructed for you to arrive at your point. I even believe it is a biblical case that you make.

However, I personally believe that the biblical case is stronger for free will. It, too, can be researched in scripture and all of the bases are covered. I have compared the 2 and I still find the determinist position weaker.

You look at it and you find the free will position weaker.

If my position or your position were constructed based on "philosophy or the rudiments of the world and not after Christ" then that position would be wrong.

That is not the case with either of us, and that is why both of us are Christians. We are doing as required by the Bible and working "out our (own) salvation in fear and trembling."