Featured Where Is Free Will?

Can I take this one, from the Calvinist perspective?

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

"Draw" does not mean what you think it means. "Draw" means effectually drag.
"All men" does not mean what you think it means. "All men" means the elect.

 

Show the context and explanation

 

So, dozens and dozens of Bible translations toiled over by Greek scholars for decades have incorrectly translated this verse for centuries.

You don't say?!

 

The best scholars, the ones who make a living translating Bibles, seem to think Draw, not drag, is the appropriate English word.

 

Not if you understand Jesus' responce as to what it counters, John 11:48-53.

 

What amazes me about calvies is their ability to read minds and determine unspoken motives of people.

 

When Saul was on the road to Damascus and Jesus struck him blind, was Jesus drawing Saul or dragging him to do His will?

When Jonah exercised his rebellion (freewill?) and ended up in the belly of the fish, was God drawing Jonah or dragging him?

These are testimonies to God's willingness to have His will be done.

While my personal experiences are not as dramatic as these, they were as effective in God reveling His will for me, His elect.

To God be the glory!

 

I'm not going to get into a debate about definitions of a single word. Context determines the meaning. For example, "I want to go out hunting and bag a squirrel. I will put it in a bag and bring it to my mother-in-law, the old bag."

Let's let Scripture determine the context of Scripture.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you [in verse 44], that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (KJV)

Does the context here mean to "drag" someone to salvation or to divinely "invite" someone to be saved?

John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (KJV)
Does this passage imply a "dragging"?

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (KJV)
Or this?

Scripture is it's own best commentary.

 

You've found some special examples of God dragging people to do his will. You forgot Mary and John the Baptist.

 

What verse(s) are you asserting that says Paul was dragged against his will to be saved and do the will of God?

 

Jonah clearly exercised his free will. In return, God clearly allowed Jonah to face the consequences of his disobedient decision. The longsuffering of God gave Jonah time to repent. Or, do you think it took God three days and nights to "drag" Jonah out of the whale's belly?

 

For the record Pastor Bob is one of the most honest people on this board. His posts are full of integrity and always well reasoned.