"Who sinned?"
The story of the "Mab Born Blind" in John is a major story covering Calvinism vs Armenianism. Jesus said BOTH were wrong. I believe Jesus. YMMV
This passages addresses the Calvinism/Arminianism debate?
It does not.
If we look more closely at the story of the blind man, in John 9:1-41, we'll find it has nothing do to with predestination for salvation... it has nothing to do with the Calvinism/Arminianism debate.
The Passage:
- This passage is not about eternal salvation or even repentance... those are not even addressed.
- This passage is about the causes of human suffering, during our earthly lifetime.
- The principle issue is whether suffering comes from the sins of the parents, or the sins of the individual.
- Christ was showing that suffering is not necessarily the result of sin, and that it can it be caused by God for some greater purpose, such as in this particular case (but not necessarily all cases).
- Nowhere is there a discussion of predestination vs free will for salvation.
- This passage is about human suffering, and that we should be more gracious about human suffering, because we often have no understanding of the true cause.
Conclusion:
- This passages says nothing about predestination for salvation, or free will for salvation.
- It does not even address this issue.
- It addresses causes for suffering.
- And even in addressing causes for salvation, and in showing that God is sometimes the direct cause for suffering, it in no way negates other causes for suffering in other situations.
* Regarding the Calvinism/Arminianism debate: this passages neither confirms nor denies either position... it is talking about something else entirely.
God Bless, and have a lovely Sunday.
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