Replies

re: “I pointed out that the Bible says God gives faith to the elect.”

Yes, but you didn’t show a verse the demonstrates that faith is ONLY available to the Elect.

On the other hand, how is it that Jesus lamented, “Oh, ye of little faith”, or “He was unable to do many miracles because of their lack of faith.”?

Why would Jesus rebuke those of little faith if it was outside the realm of their ability to exercise faith?

And another wonderful passage where Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion who told Jesus that He only needed to say the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus said he had not found such great faith in all Israel. Why would Jesus honor the centurion’s faith if the centurion was merely exercising a faith that he had nothing to do with?

Why would Jesus tell the woman with the issue of blood, “And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; YOUR faith has made you well. Go in peace.”? There is no indication in the text that she received her faith from someone else. It obviously means the faith came from her. She was able to exercise faith prior to her healing.

The clear meaning is that faith is available to everyone who chooses to exercise it. Otherwise, why would Jesus commend someone’s faith? Why would He honor it?

How is it that Jesus said of the woman who came into Simon the Pharisee’s home and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears,

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “YOUR FAITH has saved you. Go in peace.”

The simple reading of the text is that it was the woman’s own faith in Jesus that saved her. There is no indication that she received her faith from somewhere else. Also, notice that Jesus said her sins were forgiven, because she loved Him so much. How is that possible if she couldn’t respond from her own volition?

Further, her act of faith takes NOTHING away from the mighty power of God’s grace and love. He offers the gift and she gratefully received it in faith.

Calvinism limits God’s saving act, limits His love. I believe Calvinism is a besmirching of God’s character. God has clearly expressed love for the whole world. He desires ALL MEN to come to a knowledge of the truth, that ALL MEN may be saved. The Bible clearly teaches that God expects men to repent, to confess their sins, to obey because they are held accountable for their own acts. God does not fix it so that men cannot believe. God does not send babies to hell - the Calvinist God is a monster. Calvinism smears God’s character when it says He only died for a few, or that He only loves a select few.

Yes, God has selected people for tasks and His own purposes, but never does it indicate that some people were created solely for the purpose of eternal damnation. That idea is an abomination on God’s character.

You said I didn’t answer your post. I DID ANSWER IT!!! You just don’t want to accept my answers. Which is fine. Who am I? I am nothing - it is God that we must please.

So, please do not respond to this post as I do not wish to continue this circular arguing with you. It is accomplishing nothing.