That being said, it should be noted that the bible never says we are born blind, deaf and hardened to the God's appeal for reconciliation. In fact, it teaches in numerous accounts that men "grown hardened" or "become calloused/blind" after rebelling against God's clearly seen and understood revelation over and over again. In Acts 28, for example, Paul clearly contrasts the Israelites, being beneficiaries of God's clear revelation, as "becoming calloused, otherwise they might see, hear, understand and repent." While the Gentiles "will listen." (vs. 28)
I agree that the bible never says we are born hardened. At best Romans 3 reveals that both Jews and Greeks are not righteous and do not seek for God (3:9-11)
It describes our bondage in a way that must be released by the Spirit. I can deduct the idea that if that is true then all who are without God will need to be loosed from sin by God. There is no age category or age of hardening given. I agree that people can grow to have a harder and more depraved heart because they simply grow in the flesh. This is obviously nothing new to the board here.
We are born under the curse of this world and come in through Adam (Romans 5 and 8 do a good job describing this as do my passages used previously describing sin and its dominant force over our natures)
I can probably agree the Bible does not say we are born blind or hardened. But we are born in sin and sin is the source of blindness and growing in hardness. Some grow more than others and some grow more rapidly based on their circumstances and who they are.
Jesus describes people who are in sin as blind guides, He also describes sin as a blindness that comes by sin (John 9:40). Their needs are to see their blindness (sin) and come to Him, yet the Pharisees thought they could see but were blinded of their condition. We shouldn't disagree that sin equates to blindness and what is related to being dead. I dont think the harsh language of being spiritually dead was used for no reason although I think there are poor explanations of what that entails. A dead person needs the Spirit of life to open his or her eyes. I am not necessarily talking about the common explanation of regeneration (Cal view) , but just speaking in general terms here.
There is some truth to the widely quoted Isaiah 6 verse throughout the New Testament. Paul's usage quoted in Acts 28 doesn't deny anything I said nor necesarily dispute it. It simply says that the Jews were hardened and the Gentiles were less hardened. Obviously that was not intended to be taken to define a theological position against depravity. I do not think you are using that way though.
Hardening was a punishment given the Jews by God and they clearly were the hardest hearted people of the time. Yet the Bible also does not go on to say anything about Gentiles hearts being able to receive God in and of themselves. Jesus never underscored that or took it that far in His teaching, but He knew that eventually when the Gospel was delivered that Gentiles would be converted because they were part of God's elect in the New Covenant and they also will Listen because they are new sheep to His flock (John 10, see also 6:35-40; chapter 6 and 10 go together with similar taught lessons)
Thus, men are NOT born hardened (unable to see, hear, understand and repent), they only BECOME hardened after continued rebellion,
Sorry to snip your piece, but I agree men are not born hardened. Hardened and slavery are two different things found in Scripture. I believe you are correct. People are born in sin and grow in hardening but that hardening is inevitable in various degrees as I said above. I appeal to John chapter 6 to describe the need for all men in all levels of hardness needing God's powerful work of saving them. Whether completely hard or soft they need the Spirit, but some naturally appear to be more open. That does not mean they can come to God without the Spirit. I don't think that is what you are saying though.
Paul is speaking of the Jew who God in his patience "held out his hands to all day long" (10:21) and "longed to gather under his saving wings" (Mt. 23:37), but they were unwilling and thus became hardened and calloused to God's revelation. Even so, God took from that lump of clay (Israel) some (like Paul) and chose them for a noble purpose, while leaving the rest hardened in their rebellion. But does this mean those hardened have no hope of being saved now? Not at all, they haven't stumble beyond recovery (11:11) but may be provoked to envy and saved (vs 14) and leave their unbelief and be grafted back in. (vs 21-23)
This is the easiest way for me to respond to Romans 9.
9:1-5- Paul's heart for Jews (we agree here)
9:6-13 Not all who were born with Geneology were true Israelites. Only the ones of promise and chosen (speaking still of Israel) and Paul used the example of God's choice by telling of Jacob over Esau not because of anything they did.
9:14-18 God's mercy is the defining factor of the chosen and this is not injustice on God's part. Paul's example is Pharaoh a chosen vessel who did not recieve God's blessing. Paul ends with the statement: "He has mercy on whom he desires, and He hardens whom He desires."
9:19-21 Here is the big point I was looking at. Paul recognizes an obvious paradox that people will argue. How can God remain just and punish one who literally had no choice against His decretive will? Paul responds by asking who gives you the right to questions God's ways, and I will add, even with such harsh and terrifying implications? Paul goes on to say God has the right and is just and it is ok for Him to make people who He wants to make them beyond their ultimate choice (remember verse 18 and 11). Paul's analogy of the potter and the clay show that God is the defining factor in how people turn out in reality. He makes people to fulfill His purposes in both good and both evil. Now He does not tell us how or why or how this works with His overwhelming love and character.
9:22-23 God's vessels of wrath vs God's vessels of mercy. This reveals they are all preordained to what they will be. The vessels of wrath are patiently endured by God (His pouring out wrath upon them) to reveal the richness of His mercy to the vessels of mercy.
9:24-26 This is not just a collection of Jews but also of Gentiles (speaking of those who are called to glory). Reference taken from Hosea.
9:27-29 There was always a remnant in Israel (Isaiah quote) and all would become like Sodom and Gomorrah if God had not left a remnant. Again this reflects Paul's appeal to God's grace giving a remnant of His people of glory that saved everyone from becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah which is consistent with His teaching in chapters 1-3 where all (both Jews and Gentiles) are condemned under the Law.
9:30-33- The means is by faith, not by works of the Law which is what caused the Jews to stumble. Justification is by faith apart from works of the Law where righteousness (End of Romans 3). Faith does not dominate God's mercy and choice because remember we all would be like Soddom and like Gomorrah. We are a remnant left by God's mercy awaiting glory while the rest are vessels of wrath being kept by God's patient endurance until the time comes for them to pay.
Again sorry for the length, I just wanted to get that out of the way. My quote to MB was simply saying that a similar argument he made (and most make) was refuted by Paul in 9:19-20
You will probably appeal to the hardening of Israel and before you do please be specific in why you think that is what is being said here.
, good find!