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To: FactQuest
So, I accept what the Bible says on it.

I do not think you really know what the bible says on it, because as Arminians we "skimmed over " the tough passages and then forced others into our meaning .

That God is sovereign, and that He has given us free will.

All Calvinists believe in free will, we just do not think an man will freely choose God or choose to repent , or choose to believe all of that is a gift of God as taught in scripture

Arminians SAY they believe in the sovereignty of God, but they really have to twist the meaning of sovereignty to make it fit

The fact is that Armenians believe God is only sovereign over what MAN allows God to be sovereign over.

So who is REALLY sovereign then?

That, though totally depraved, He calls us by the Holy Spirit, (John 1:9, John 12:32, John 16:8-11) quickening us to a point where we have a free will choice to accept grace. If we reject His grace, He judges us.

How can a spiritually dead man hear a call, can a dead man answer with out Gods grace first opening his ears to hear?

We ask can a dead man floating reach for the life preserver , or does He need to be pulled into the boat and given CPR?

Those who will accept grace are foreknown by God, and are called predestined, or the chosen. (Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 1:2).

The problem with this theology is you have removed grace .

If you make foreknowledge the method of election that you make God the debtor of men that act correctly. God is them the debtor of man, not extending mercy , but paying an earned wage.

The other issue with that is it means that the Arminian insistence God does not truly want all men saved can not be true , because He made men knowing that they were never going to be saved and were bound for hell yet choose to do nothing to see to their salvation

32 posted on 05/10/2004 3:57:07 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7
I do not think you really know what the bible says on it, because as Arminians we "skimmed over " the tough passages and then forced others into our meaning .

That may have been the case for you, but not for me. I find your assumptions offensive. I dwell longest over the tough passages, and try out lots of different possible interpretations, including Reformed.

All Calvinists believe in free will,

As laid out in this thread's parent, yes. But, in the matter of the absolutely most important decision in a person's life, whether to follow Jesus or not, no, Calvinists do not believe in free will. This, despite the fact that we are held accountable before a righteous and just God to judge us, - yet how could a righteous and just God punish us for something we had no control over whatsoever? Calvinists claim there is a higher mystery to God's justice that we can't fathom, but have to accept. Well, in the end, they may be right, but this is quite contrary to our God-given sense of justice, and most importantly, it may not be the best way to interpret the scriptures.

Arminians SAY...Armenians believe

Who is an Armenian? Someone whose theology is very close to that of Arminius, or anyone who disputes any of the teachings of Calvin?

God is only sovereign over what MAN allows God to be sovereign over.

God is only sovereign over what He chooses to be sovereign over. If He chooses to allow free will, that is His prerogative. If He does not allow free will, then He is the author of evil.

We ask can a dead man floating reach for the life preserver , or does He need to be pulled into the boat and given CPR?

I'd have to ask, how is that any more or less miraculous that God giving life to the dead man without involving the man's choice?

The problem with this theology is you have removed grace .

I see no less grace, and I certainly don't see that it has been removed. There is nothing I can do to merit salvation - salvation is offered as a free gift from God. If that wasn't enough, God also "revives" me to a point where I can accept the gift, when my total depravity disables me from accepting the gift.

If you make foreknowledge the method of election that you make God the debtor of men that act correctly. God is them the debtor of man, not extending mercy , but paying an earned wage.

Men that act correctly? None act correctly all the time. God the debtor or men? God is a God of covenants. God sets the rules. Was God the debtor to man, when the Israelites offered a sacrifice? God would forgive them of their sins if they offered the sacrifice properly. So, if you wish to say that God was indebted to the high priest, to pay them the wage for a proper sacrifice, said wage being forgiveness of sin, then I guess you can say that, but I think that is a mis-characterization. By the same token, God, by grace, has made the payment for our sins. God, by grace, grants us a temporary repreive from our depravity, during which time we can accept His gift, or not. If we accept the gift, He is not indebted to us - the gift is salvation, and that which you would call "indebtedness" has already been "paid". No debt remains.

The other issue with that is it means that the Arminian insistence God does not truly want all men saved can not be true , because He made men knowing that they were never going to be saved and were bound for hell yet choose to do nothing to see to their salvation

Chose to do nothing? He sent His Son to die for them all, and all have at least one opportunity. (I'm not sure I qualify for Arminian-hood - I believe that God would like for all to believe). It was their choices. Anything more, and He would have to remove free will in the matter. Which brings us back to square one, I believe.
37 posted on 05/12/2004 11:34:29 AM PDT by FactQuest
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