“Pelagianism is the belief that man can save himself by his own work simply by following the example of Christ, with no need for supernatural grace.
Semipelagianism is the belief that man, by following the example of Christ, can do good works that will somehow earn him, or entitle him, to God’s grace of salvation.
Calvinism is the belief that man cannot do good even with the help of God’s grace - that grace consists of God forcibly making the elect to perform actions acceptable to Him by an “irresistible” compulsion.
Orthodox Christianity holds that man is deeply flawed by his very nature due to original sin and that he can accomplish no good thing unless God gives him the grace to do so. It likewise holds that grace is a free gift of love and that God asks man to cooperate with His grace - not because He needs man to do so, but because it pleases Him. In other words, we should be slaves (in Calvinist fashion) but He makes us sons by adoption.”
How does man “cooperate” with the sovereign grace of God?
Rom 9:15-16 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
If it is not of him that willeth or runneth, but on God who has mercy on whom He wills, how can what you say be true or “orthodox”?
And how can you claim that you are not semipelagianist, when you are asserting that God’s grace must submit to the whims of your will, albeit you say that you “cooperate”?
And as for the will. Can you show me where in scripture that anyone is ever described as being free or a slave based on their capacity to save their soul? Or rather, is freedom and slavery always in reference to sins? So that those who are in sin are slaves to sin, but those who are in Christ are dead to it and free in Christ?
(2) John 15:15 specifically addresses the distinction between being a slave and a friend.
(3) The entire message of the Gospel is that Almighty God empties Himself, humbles Himself, lowers Himself to man, even unto death on a cross, and enters into an intimate relationship with men, allowing men to share in His life eternally.
The Lord does not do our will, but he permits us to forsake our own for His.