Incorrect. You are completely misrepresenting Calvinism. Since you claim to believe the bible, then I trust that you believe 1 Corinthians 2;14,
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from God for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Do you believe that verse? If so, then what's the criteria according to that verse for one to believe in God? I'll give you a hint; the answer can be found in the preceding verses:
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.'
So if you believe the above verses then answer this; what gives man faith?:
OK, I'll try to answer one question at a time.
As for misrepresenting Calvinism, I am probably guilty on that. But there are many Calvinists with varying opinions. Not all Calvinists are 5 point Calvinists. So, it is pretty much impossible to know what the Calvinist doctrine is when they don't agree among themselves what it is.
2 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Notice that the first thing this verse says it that the natural man "receiveth not" the things of the Spirit of God. Now that is important. Because before God will reveal the scriptures to you, you must first believe and accept what you are shown. This is what Jesus was speaking about in the parable of the sower.
Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
After Jesus told his disciples the parable of the sower, he warned them to be very careful how they hear. This shows they have the ability to hear if they so choose. But to those who will willingly hear and believe, to them God will reveal more. But to those that refuse to hear, then even the little revealed to them will be taken away.
So this is why the word of God seems foolish to the natural man. In order to understand the scriptures you must first believe the simple things shown you, the milk of the word. Only if you sincerely hear and believe will God reveal the meat of the word to you.
And even believers have a difficult time with God's word, I know I do. Men have been debating God's word for centuries. Just because you are a believer does not guarantee you will understand all of God's word. It takes study, and the revelation from the Holy Spirit.
But unsaved man can understand the gospel. The gospel is really very simple and the scriptures say a child can understand it.
2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
You are not regenerated to believe. You are made wise to believe. But you have to listen with a sincere heart and trust God's word.
The scriptures say the gospel is simple.
2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
I believe faith is a "common grace" that is an ability given from God to all men whether saved or unsaved. This is why Jesus can ask men if they believe. Look at the story of the man whose son was possessed by a devil.
Mark 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Now notice there were two questions asked in this passage. First, the father of the boy asked Jesus if he could do any thing to help him.
And how did Jesus respond? Jesus turned it completely around and said "if thou canst believe". Jesus was saying it is not a question whether he can heal the boy, the real question was whether the father believed Jesus was the Son of God and could heal him.
And notice the father cried with tears in his eyes. He had many doubts. The disciples had just failed to heal his son so it is understandable he was a little discouraged. But he did believe in Jesus, even though he was completely aware that his faith was weak. And Jesus healed his son.
Now why would Jesus ask this man or any other if he could believe? If Calvinism is correct, then the answer would be NO 100% of the time. According to you a man cannot possibly believe unless God first regenerates him. And if God had regenerated this man to believe, the question is non-sensical because Jesus would be completely aware that this man could believe. In fact, it would be impossible for him not to.
Faith is not imposed on us like some supernatural spell. Faith comes by hearing and believeing God's word. That is what the scriptures say.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith is a gift from God that in the sense that we could not believe God's word unless he first provided it. And Paul shows this in the very same chapter of Romans.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Paul is asking a very simple and straightforward question which makes perfect sense. He is asking how any man can possibly believe on Jesus Christ unless he has first heard about him. So without God's holy scriptures none of us would know about Christ. So if we know Christ we owe it all to God and his mercy in revealing the word of God to us.
