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A simple "Yes" would do, x.

You were utilizing that passage, I think, in an attempt to show Biblical support for "Free-Willism".

However, Calvinism also testifies that the individual "receives" Christ. That is not something that is exclusive to Arminianism.

The problem I was showing you was that this passage only shows what happens to an individual in the event that that individual "receives" Christ.

The problem for you is that this passage does not speak to or inform us of just ~HOW~ one "receives" Christ. It simply and only tells us that those who "received" were given the power to become the sons of God.

Therefore, in the attempt to support the "Free-Will" philosophical paradigm, you are once again guilty of an eisegetical interpretation of a Biblical passage.

Jean

I did say "yes" regarding its interpretation under a calvinist paradigm.

However, the nature of the word "receive" makes me wonder if its meaning isn't more purely preserved in a paradigm wherein one must "choose."

"Irresistible receiving" and "simple receiving" really are different. The definition of receive it seems to me is to permit someone to enter, or to welcome them to enter as in a "receiving room."

I don't think it's eisegetical at all. It operates under a more pure definition of "receive."

The bottom line is really this, Jean. We have 2 contenders for the understanding of salvation.

1. The person is moved all the way through regeneration by a specific act of God.

2. The person is enlightened by God and expected to make a choice to believe.

3. Little elves carry ideas in the shape of little lincoln logs into the person's brain and construct their doctrines into a salvation house.

The real issue is which seems to align better with scripture.