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Well, according to Calvinism, the very least you could say is that their capacity is removed and God is Sovereign. Who, if not God, decided what the result of the fall would be? Who, if not God, decided that all men would become totally depraved from birth due to the Fall, thus unable to...

I agree. The hatred gives "Christianity" a bad name on a host of topics, homosexuality being the foremost. I think some so called 'Christians' in our world today would have stoned the prostitute brought to Jesus and then attempted to stone Jesus for not joining in.

When will people come to understand that the Christian's defense of marriage as being a union between one man and one woman has NOTHING to do with our feelings toward those who don't practice it, or believe in it? It is simply a matter of fact. THIS is what marriage IS. If you want some other...

Take your time brother. I have similar seasons in ministry as evidenced by my periodic absences. I'd much rather you focus on that ministry anyway! I'll say a prayer for you today. Blessings.

There are two types of biblical hardening; each are described in detail below: 1. Self-Hardening of the heart goes beyond the tragic obtuseness of our inherited condition in the Fall of man. Working on the fertile soul of our innately immoral hearts, the act of sinning hardens the heart into a...

You know, I don't have a problem understanding John 12:32 as meaning "people from all nations," as that is beside the point. In fact, I'm willing to concede that John 12:32 is really more about Jews and Gentiles corporately if you are willingly to concede the same about John 6? How about it?

I agree. It just seems that much of the confusion over this passage stems from our negligence to understand the historical context of the day. When you understand that Jesus' Jewish audience was being hardened by God (John 12:39) and only a few from Israel were being given to Christ at that...

Winman, I agree, and its not only seen in scripture, but it makes perfect common sense. I have four kids and I would hold my eldest son to an higher standard of accountability than my youngest. Why? Because he knows better.

Calvinists often use John 6 as a proof text to support their premise, but doesn't it help to understand WHO Christ may be referring to when he speaks of those who have been given to him? Let's read later in the name gospel (chapter 17) where Jesus clearly shows us what he is speaking about...

No, I'm saying he over looked all sin until justification was provided. He didn't punish people for sin (breaking the laws), but only for unbelief (not acknowledging God as God). He revealed himself to everyone according to Romans 1. Calvinism doesn't only 'not give everyone the same "chance"...

Well that is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless the application of these texts to mean that God has individually chosen to regenerate some so that they will certainly believe, be justified, adopted, etc, is the point I'm addressing and I believe that applies to all Reformed...

Winman, I've never denied the foreknowledge of God, I've only denied the application of God looking into the future at an individual's choices as the basis for his Election of the individual. That is not a biblical view of election IMO.

Great question. I believe Paul addressed this question when he wrote this: God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to...

Not even with the powerful gracious help of the Holy Spirit? Why not? Is the help of the Holy Spirit not helpful or gracious enough?

Unable UNLESS assisted by a gracious work of the Holy Spirit, right? Isn't the Gospel a gracious work of the Holy Spirit? Clearly God prevented some from repenting and being forgiven by hiding the truth from them in parables and sending them a spirit of stupor. There are many passages which...

Maybe, but the foresight faith view makes the same error that Calvinists make by assuming election is about God choosing individuals from various nations to save, when clearly it is about God choosing to save whosoever believes regardless of what nationality they are. Election is not about...

Why do I need to prove what you yourself just now affirmed in the exact same sentence?

I'm sorry, but that is INCORRECT. The fact that he is speaking to Jews doesn't make it irrelevant to Gentiles. It only helps us to understand its relevance. I've affirmed a dozen or more times that NO ONE, from any nation, can come to Christ unless enabled by God to do so. The Gospel is...

All of them are relevant to all of us, but it helps to understand their intent. Hermeneutics 101 teaches us that we must understand the historical context in which they are written in order to best understand that intent. Knowing that God is in the process of hiding the truths of the gospel...

Biasing? What does that mean? We are talking about the historical context. If Jesus is speaking to a world where his elect nation is being cut off while the non-elect nations of the world are being grafted in, which HE IS (read Rom 11), that might be an important piece of information to...