Search results

I know, but clearly he doesn't do that effectually for every one to whom he sends the genuine gospel appeal. Even Calvinists affirm the gospel is meant to be sent to 'every creature,' thus to claim it is the means for regeneration isn't helpful, when we both know that you actually mean it is...

You don't seem to be listening brother. He preached in parables to the whole crowd, lest they heard the truth and turned to be healed, but then he explained the truths to his apostles. (Mk 4; Matt 13 etc) In John 6 he told them to drink his blood and eat his flesh without so much as an...

I agree. God reserved a remnant of Jews from the hardening to ensure his purpose in electing Israel would be accomplished. And I and Luke showed you where scholars on both sides affirm the hardening of Israel as a whole, not just the leaders. Many on that day cried out "crucify him," not just...

Only for the Jews? Really? Did I say that? No, in fact, I specifically told you that I didn't believe that yet you continue to misrepresent my view. He was speaking to Jews, as you acknowledged, who are being hardened in their rebellion. That doesn't negate the fact that EVERYONE (Jew or...

#3 Because the person "refuses to accept the truth and so be saved." (2 Thess. 2:10) Because they "were not willing." (Matt. 23:37). Because they 'hardened their own hearts" as Israel did in the rebellion. (Heb. 3:8) I actually see #1 and #2 as one in the same. God may harden a heart using...

How so if indeed, no man "is capable of making a move towards God apart from being first regenerate," as you said earlier? You appear to continually contradict yourself on this point. You maintain that one cannot come to faith unless regenerated first, and that the gospel would save them if...

How so? Explain how an unregenerate non-elect man could technically have been saved in this immediate context? I'll wait...

No, actually I wouldn't. Even that perspective puts God on a finite linear time line. The idea of God merely foreseeing something yet to come is a finite way of looking at God...as if he is in time waiting along with the rest of us for what is yet to be experienced. He is the great I AM, not...

We are talking about being incurable apart from regeneration. We are going in circles and I think you are smart enough to know why. You appear to be dancing around the obvious dilemma created by Calvinism. You even pointed out that this was a strong argument several months ago, if you...

It man's only hope for a response, but a response is still needed. I can't go to the wedding banquet unless I'm invited. Without the invitation I'm hopeless. I won't be selected to enter unless I'm clothed in righteousness by Grace through faith. Without Christ's provision I'm hopeless, but...

I don't understand this answer. Give us an instance of any sense in which this could be 'YES' in your system.

You do realize that is the view of what some call "semi-pelagian," don't you?

And yet not every sinner is captivated when they hear the gospel. Is that because: 1. They were not elected by God and thus not regenerated. and/or 2. They were sent a spirit of stupor and the truth was hidden from their eyes. If both, then haven't you just affirmed double...

I think you mean, "...the gospel is the MEANS whereby the Spirit regenerates the elect..." but what about the non-elect who hear the same gospel? Must the gospel be 'hidden from them in parables' or must they be 'given a spirit of stupor' or other such means to prevent them understanding the...

The Spirit must 'captivate the attention of the sinner,' which is another way of saying, "The Spirit must regenerate the sinner." Right? How is that different from what I'm saying? Calvinists believe the gospel is the means by which God regenerates (effectually calls) the elect to Himself...

Why not #3? #3 He can pass over them, do nothing to them, thus leaving them in their already totally depraved, blind and hopeless condition. Again, I don't understand what you mean by 'less curable.' The ONLY cure for Total Depravity is the effectual work of regeneration, right? Anything...

Wow, I'm really confused. You seem to argue above that a lost man can accept the gospel and repent without being regenerated, so God must use other means to prevent this from happening. Is that correct? And can you point me to other Calvinists who teach this view?

This is not where our tension is. We are not the ones who dogmatically conclude that all things depend on God, as you do. We affirm man's freedom and appeal to mystery as to exactly how men make those free choices. The only reason I or other believers don't affirm Calvinistic soteriology (if...

Sin that was determined/planned/control by God. I'm only pointing out how your view, if viewed consistently, makes God culpable for man's rejection of truth. The reason I reject your view is precisely because I refuse to blame God for man's sin.

I don't think you REALLY believe that statement, not as it stands. I think you mean, "The Gospel is able to save man in his naturally sinful state, if the Spirit regenerates that man." (which of course he only does for the elect ones) How is that not accurate? Earlier you even said as much...