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CP, it's funny that you attribute certain attitudes to Free-will types, and no basis for the generalization. I grew up and am strongly Full-Gospel Pentecostal, but even that is stereotyped. For me, my free will and relationship to God is such a personal responsibility to daily walk in faith(Romans/Hebrews), showing my works in that faith(James), knowing this faith originated and strenghtened by God alone can be chosen to be weakened and lost by sin and disbelief (God to Cain, Ezekiel 18, Hebrews 4).

With that said, Jesus said we're to be the salt of the Earth - "If the salt has lost it's savor, what good is it, it is tossed to the ground and trampled on". As I humbly seek God's strength and walk in His Spirit daily (Gideon, David, Paul: Romans 8) He can use me. If I try to perform my 'religiousity' in the flesh, I reap that reward also (Paul speaking of one being saved - just barely through the fire, although fleshly works being burned up).

I was convicted many years ago to stop battling back and forth with some of the ardent Calvinists that frequent here. The Lord showed me that Satan loves the derisiveness and division (Proverbs full of these cautions, likewise Paul). There is such an arrogance and puff-uppedness (sp?) as well.

To respond specifically to your assumption in the post - my 'Free Will' choice way of Biblically thinking and living is exactly why I don't believe Big Gov should nanny people - it appeals to the laziest and most selfish parts of human nature. Just think of all the verses that God and Jesus speak of giving and being generous and helping others - ALL by one's personal choice. Read in the book of Acts the story of Annanias and Saphira, husband and wife. God struck them dead - not for withholding some monies on the sale of property when giving to the church, but for lying to the Holy Spirit about it. Peter even said "While it was yours, you had the power to do as you chose". With free will, Love, Giving - it's all the same - if one's heart isn't in it - then it's not real - thus the need to want to choose - but, to tweak the Calvinists - the wanting to do what's right only comes from the Spirit leading us to follow the law that God has written on our hearts.

time4good,

I do not endorse self-righteous doctrinalism. That's why I pointed out that even the most astute of theologians may not know Jesus Christ. For all I know, there may be more Arminians who make up God's elect than Calvinists.

I am not sure if you watched the video, but I don't believe the people in it carried a haughty or judgmental tone at all.

The great debate is not over whether, from a human perspective, we are accountable for our choices. The debate is over whether GOD has predestined those who will choose Him.

"As I humbly seek God's strength and walk in His Spirit daily."

This verse only testifies to Calvin's conclusions: reliance on *GOD's* strength, not on your own. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it sounds as if your ethic stems from your faith in a great and almighty and worthy GOD and not in belief in the merits of your own efforts, or the strength of your "will."

Let me ask you: if we are not strong enough to lead holy lives on our own, how could we be strong enough to "help God" in saving our own souls? Calvinists believe that salvation is a supernatural miracle wrought on by the Holy Spirit. It is on level with that of the Creation of the world itself. As Paul Washer put it, "Salvation is so hard, only God can do it."

I am of the firm belief that the Bible establishes this truth.