[CCWoody]

I agree that I am responsible - but then, I'm not a Calvinist (or hyper-Calvinist as some refer to it.)

No, the Calvinist affirms man's responsibility. If you refrain from calling me a hyper-Calvinist then I will refrain from calling your beliefs rabid foaming at the mouth Arminian heresy. This way, we can countinue to discuss in a reasonable, although strained, manner.

The issue is, does God control everything or does He chose to allow us to exercise our will? If He controls everything, then He is responsible for my sin, not me. If He allows us to exercise free will, then why does anyone claim He allows it for everything but the one thing that counts?

I have maintained that God used Pharaoh's own free will to harden his heart. I maintain that man has absolute free will. You simply refuse to believe the scripture that say what man does with his free will; only of evil continually. Until God changes a man's want to only sin and to do evil into God pleasing actions, even the God pleasing action of repenting and believing, then man will only use his free will to sin and do evil.

The issue is does man thwart God's will in any way? If you think so, then you believe that man is more powerful than God in whatever way man can thwart God's will.

[jude24]

Ya know, I wish someone was able to that rationally explain the balance of free will and Calvinism to me in high school. That way, I'd likely never have flirted with Arminiansm.

[xzins]

me a hyper-Calvinist then I will refrain from calling your beliefs rabid foaming at the mouth Arminian heresy

Woody, so we got Hyper-Cal's and Rabid- Arm's? LOL. (And Foaming Mouths...)

We need something for "Calminians." (I'm afraid to suggest something for mormons and catholics 'cause I can't say "bash-worthy" things about them. (Let's see, halfway between the "hyp" (hip) and the arm is the belly, the love handles (for those like me....I'm sure you don't have any), and other fat deposits. Let's call them Squishy....the Squishy Calmins

[MEGoody]

I only use the term 'hyper-Calvinist' to differentiate between the types of Calinvist views. No offense intended - I actually got this term from Calvinists. LOL

It seems to me that God has implanted a desire for Him within every human being. The vast majority of people try to fulfill that desire with worldly things (unsuccessfully, but they try, none the less). Some of us are blessed enough to be saved so we are able to fulfill that desire for God with God. In reading scripture, it just seems so clear to me that God calls all, but allows us the choice to come to Him or not. Perhaps he screams at some and whispers at others, but He calls none the less.