I don't think you misunderstood me, as I really didn't explain myself, and I'd like to do that now.
You quote St. Ignatius of Loyola who was admirable in so many ways, and whose Spiritual exercises are excellent.
Here's how I see things:
When a person prays, it is as Rev. Spurgeon describes, he or she reverts to the brogue of his native land. He or she confesses what he or she really believes.
When a person prays in this manner:
"Dear Lord, please give me the strength to accept this loss, to suffer through this grief, to face this fear, to go the distance in this marathon. Dear Lord, please give the Grace to stop despising so and so, to see her instead as you see her, Dear Lord."
He or she is admitting that the power to accomplish these does not lie within him or herself.
In my view, then, the attendant argument that it's 100% God and 100% you is superfluous, if not meaningless, following such a naked admission of inadequacy.
I do not think it unholy to give God all the credit. It is, in fact, the honorable, just and holy thing to do, and it taxes me not in the least.
When I was a senior in high school, one of my final projects was to write Judas Iscariot's suicide note. It was the only natural A I ever received. Even my teacher was taken aback, as I had been nothing but an unremarkable student up to that point.
When I sat down to write the note, the mingling of sentiment and language moved through me and my pen like lightning. It was only a few paragraphs long, and took me almost no time at all to complete. It was God that moved through me, I am absolutley convinced of it. And I've read the quotes of professional musicians who say pretty much the same thing.
I never quite knew how to explain it then, as I never even considered that God considered me anything but the blackest of one of his sheep. But, I was wrong. He does love me, and I really know that now.
As this thread was originally posted to discuss the differences between Luther and Erasmus's view on free will, I feel compelled to confess my affection for Erasmus, as I become acquainted with some of his works. He was a humble servant of God.
jo kus, I will give you the last word here, as I'm not one who is inclined to go 'round and 'round without amendment.
I'm not likely to alter this particular view of mine, and I'm perfectly content to accept that the same holds true for you, without thereby concluding that your differing view falls under the condemnation of God. Is that the driving force behind religious debate; that the person holding an opposing view must needs fall under His condemnation? It sure seems that way.
I bid you peace, jo kus, and a Blessed Easter.
Thank you. I admire the Rev. Spurgeon's works. He was a very powerful preacher in an age where man was placing himself on a pedestal WITHOUT realizing that God was more than a "voice in the ear". I agree that God is instrumental in what we do in our own lives. However, I don't think one can KNOW how much exactly He does and what we do to "do" something. Human subconsciousness is quite subjective. I don't think it is a matter of God doing 87% or 99%. But I also don't see it as I have no choice. In every moral situation in where I am conscious of a decision, I feel within myself the "war" to choose one or the other. I do not feel an inexorable drive (as if I was a puppet) to do good. I normally choose good in these situations because I mentally am trying to show my love for Christ. I realize that God put that desire within me. But during those moments, I also feel that I COULD say "No". Thus, these discussions on free will.
Your quote, at first, appeared to belittle Christians who held to free will by misrepresenting their view as if they believe that man does EVERYTHING to achieve God. That is certainly not what Catholics believe. I don't know about Armianism. But we are taught the middle road, so to speak. We try to balance what Scripture tells us - that God moves within us the will and desire to please Him - AND - that man has free will and is expected to choose the good and not the evil. He is held accountable for THAT choice.
Your comments regarding religious discussion are refreshing and make good points. I also hear that "voice" in me that tells me it is time to stop and let it be. I admit that this thread has become a bit lengthy, and we are, frankly, pretty much where we started. Has anyone (perhaps besides Forest Keeper) come away with a different opinion regarding this question? While I don't condemn people for having different opinions, I am wondering about how people come to these conclusions. Certainly, people must be wondering about how I came to my conclusions. Quite frankly, I doubt whether God will judge us based on how much we know, or how correct our knowledge is, but what we do with what we have been given. The parable of the Talents (Mat 25) should be a guiding rule for us.
Best wishes this Easter