Featured Biblical View vs. Pelagian View Part 1

Biblical View: Man dead to God



Pelagian View: Man not so dead



Biblical View: Sin serious like leprosy



Pelagian View: Sin a nuisance like cold sore

 

Biblical View vs. Pelagian View

Biblical View: Man chained to sin which he cannot break



Pelagian View: Chain broken by free will – like breaking a bad habit



Biblical View: Unbeliever under God’s wrath



Pelagian View: Unbeliever under God’s love

 

Hi Tony:

That was same opinion held by ‘Professor’ Flowers.

There are many on this Board who hold to that opinion.

It is our contention that if that were the case, then the judgment upon Adam which flowed through him to the entire human race is a lie.

The innumerable negative descriptions of man’s moral and spiritually corrupt state are superfluous and have neither relevancy nor meaning.

Dead does not mean 'dead', enslaved does not mean 'enslaved,' evil hearts do not mean 'evil hearts.'

Furthermore, those of us in the Monergist camp can testify to the fact that we were blind, lost, Christ-haters doomed to destruction had not the God of all grace intervened and done a miraculous work of redemptive mercy upon our sorry souls and hearts.

I did not choose Christ. He chose me and ordained that I bear fruit and that fruit would remain.

I realize the fruit I bear is hard to swallow for many.

But for those of us who have tasted the fruit of God’s grace, we will never ever claim we cooperated in grafting ourselves into the true vine, Jesus Christ.

To God alone be the glory, the author and finisher of our faith.

 

Tony,

God is the One who declares man’s duty which he rightfully owes his God.

It is the sin nature of man to respond, “But that’s not fair. How can you require of me that which I cannot do?”

The fault in not in the command to ‘repent and believe.’

It is the righteous, holy and truthful command which leads to eternal life.

The fault in not obeying the command lies within man’s nature which is enmity against God.

Though man has the physical faculties to see, hear and emote, his sin has blinded, deafened and hardened him to eternal truth.

As I have stated previously, I was bewildered why I suddenly believed while my many family members remained in unbelief.

Discovering the true teaching of Romans 9 opened the Word of God to me, giving me the answer I sought:

I was among the Elect loved unconditionally by the Father, given the Son to die in my stead, regenerated by the sovereign will of the Spirit.

The knowledge of this truth has kept me forever humble and forever grateful.

My sins, which were many, were forgiven; as a result I love Him much.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but do you not hold to foreseen faith as the cause of Election?

Lazarus is a prime example of irresistible regeneration. Christ calls, 'Arise', and we respond as did dead Lazarus, having been quickened and made alive in Christ.

The Gospel is the call of Christ to His sheep.

His sheep hear His voice and respond positively.

They will absolutely respond at the precise time God wills to use the same omnipotent power used to raise Christ. (Eph. 1:19-20)

The many real-life examples of Christ's restoration miracles, as well as the numerous analogies and parables are all for a purpose: to teach the truth of salvation.

What is impossible with man, is only possible with God.

 

I say, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

 

Brother EWF, there is no way I can realistically walk in your shoes. I'd be a liar if I said I can feel your pain. I would also be a liar if I said I had an easy answer to comfort you.

I only know this:

Nothing happens without God's determinate eternal council.

That includes the health of babies.

I also know all things work together for good to them that love God, who were called according to his purpose [to save].

Furthermore, I know the saved are justified by His grace and by His blood. (Romans 3:24; Romans 5:9)

This would indicate that God's eternal purpose to save includes those who cannot profess Christ due to infancy, mental deficiency, etc.

In other words, they are incapable of understanding the fundamentals of the Gospel.

Yet they die in their sins.

Among these I believe the Lord has His Elect whom He justifies by His grace and by His blood.

My wife is a nurse who works with not only the sick, but with the dying.

God has given her a heart for those less fortunate.

I could never do the work God has called her to do.

No question but the Lord has given you a burden not shared by many.

That is reason enough to stay as close as possible to Him:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His might.