What Constitutes a Bona Fide Offer?

[Silverhair]

In your parable, the man staked to the ground and in chains has no desire to change his condition, regardless of the King’s offer.

He has already rejected the king, which is why he is in chains.

When God Holy Spirit releases the man from his chains, he recognizes the estate he was in and the value of the King’s offer and responds with faith.

Mankind is not in a “neutral” condition, able to accept or reject the offer. God’s revelation of Himself has already been rejected by every person on the planet.

Unless God intervenes through the power of God Hoky Spirit, all remain incapable of responding with faith to the gospel call.

Peace to you

But God has intervened. We are told man has no excuse as God has shown who He is through creation. The Holy Spirit convicts the whole world of their sin. The gospel message has been and is still being proclaimed to the world.

If God did not think man was capable of responding to these various means of drawing all to Himself, as Jesus said, then why does He say we have no excuse?

Man being sinful does not mean that he is unable to respond to these various means that God uses.

 

[Paleouss]

In your parable, the man staked to the ground and in chains has no desire to change his condition, regardless of the King’s offer.

He has already rejected the king, which is why he is in chains.

Greetings to you canadyjd. I hope you and your family are well.

It would seem that this OP is experiencing a reoccurring problem with those that are lumping Salvation in with the Gospel offer. Maybe I need to inquire into your position a little more before I proceed.

(a) Do you hold to the Calvinist belief that there is an 'outer call' and also an 'inner call'? (notice I'm using the word 'call').

(b) Do you hold to the Calvinist belief that God makes a bona fide offer to all mankind?

If you answer no to both of these questions, then I see why you are answering the way you are.

Peace to you brother

 

[canadyjd]

Greetings to you canadyjd. I hope you and your family are well.

And to you as well

It would seem that this OP is experiencing a reoccurring problem with those that are lumping Salvation in with the Gospel offer. Maybe I need to inquire into your position a little more before I proceed.

Not sure the point you are making here. Salvation is distinct from the proclamation of the gospel, but cannot be secured without it. Salvation is being in a right relationship with God, free from the wrath and condemnation for all without such a relationship.

(a) Do you hold to the Calvinist belief that there is an 'outer call' and also an 'inner call'? (notice I'm using the word 'call').

I haven’t studied Calvin in particular. You seem to using “call” as synonymous with “drawing”. Drawing is the work of God Holy Spirit and is done according to God’s will.

(b) Do you hold to the Calvinist belief that God makes a bona fide offer to all mankind?….

God has offered all mankind salvation through the revelation of Himself in creation in general and in the OT Law in particular, all of mankind has rejected His offer and stand condemned unless and until God intervenes in their lives.

Hope that clears up what I believe

Peace to you

 

[canadyjd]

double post

Peace to you