Bob Ryan said
No. My point is that Heb 11 shows a truly converted person - the real new birth - the real "new creation". This is the "ONE GOSPEL" of Gal 1:6-11 fully functioning in the OT.
Then I fully agree.
But GOD IS ABLE to ENABLE that choice that TD disables --- to ENABLE choice - where that choice is to CHOOSE LIFE. "With the mouth we confess and with the heart we believe and the RESULT" is salvation - eternal life - the born again experience.
That is an excellent description of salvation. Just the last bit we differ on. You are equating being born again with the whole process, whereas I say it is the first part of the process. God changes the heart (we are born again), then we believe and confess and are saved.
In Calvinism it is insisted that EVEN GOD can not ENABLE choice for a totally depraved sinner WITHOUT FIRST also making them entirely born again Christians PRE-faith, PRE-belief.
We are talking at cross-purposes, then. For Calvinists, the enabling IS the giving of a new heart (regeneration). They are not complete Christians until they repent and believe. It is our different useage of 'born again' that has led you to think Calvinists believe men are Christians before they believe. We do not.
This is not a method/belief/teaching of arminians -- or the Word of God.
Nor of Calvinists, I'm happy to say.
In Him
Ian
No. My point is that Heb 11 shows a truly converted person - the real new birth - the real "new creation". This is the "ONE GOSPEL" of Gal 1:6-11 fully functioning in the OT.
Then I fully agree.
But GOD IS ABLE to ENABLE that choice that TD disables --- to ENABLE choice - where that choice is to CHOOSE LIFE. "With the mouth we confess and with the heart we believe and the RESULT" is salvation - eternal life - the born again experience.
That is an excellent description of salvation. Just the last bit we differ on. You are equating being born again with the whole process, whereas I say it is the first part of the process. God changes the heart (we are born again), then we believe and confess and are saved.
In Calvinism it is insisted that EVEN GOD can not ENABLE choice for a totally depraved sinner WITHOUT FIRST also making them entirely born again Christians PRE-faith, PRE-belief.
We are talking at cross-purposes, then. For Calvinists, the enabling IS the giving of a new heart (regeneration). They are not complete Christians until they repent and believe. It is our different useage of 'born again' that has led you to think Calvinists believe men are Christians before they believe. We do not.
This is not a method/belief/teaching of arminians -- or the Word of God.
Nor of Calvinists, I'm happy to say.
In Him
Ian