ROM 10:10 says man believes from his heart. So that's where faith comes from. Where does your trust in anything come from?
Eph 2:8 says that salvation is a gift from God.
But Calvinists twist the idea into the action of believing comes from God.
Depends on what is meant by "faith".
Calvinism believes that unregenerate man cannot believe the gospel, so God has to regenerate the man in order for man to believe. That is taught nowhere in the Bible.
WillB said:
FreeGrace2 said:
Eph 2:8 gives the answer to that excellent question. We are saved by grace through faith.
Our faith is the means of salvation, and that by grace. Faith precedes salvation.
WillB said:
Will: Thanks for your response - appreciated.
FreeGrace2: You are welcome.
WB: So, faith comes first followed by salvation, right?
From where, or from whom, does faith come? Is faith something that a fallen corrupt sinner can work out intellectually entirely on his own?
FreeGrace2: ROM 10:10 says man believes from his heart. So that's where faith comes from.
Where does your trust in anything come from?
WB: My faith (in the promises yet future of Jesus Christ is based on Biblical truths) is a gift from God.
Or is faith a gift from God?
FreeGrace2 :Eph 2:8 says that salvation is a gift from God.
FreeGrace2: As a noun, "faith" is what is believed. ie: my faith. So in that use, yes, God gives the faith, since what is believed is what is in the Bible.
The Bible is God's Word, and God has given mankind His Word. Those who believe what the Bible says has
that faith.
WB: Okay. So we both believe based on Scripture that faith is a gift from God.
FreeGrace: But Calvinists twist the idea into the action of believing comes from God.
WB: You equate faith with believing, do you not? If you see a distinction please explain, ok?
WB: You have agreed that faith is a gift of God, right?
FreeGrace”: Depends on what is meant by "faith".
WB: I gave you a precise definition in that faith and believing are synonymous in connection with God.
And you have indicated that faith and believing are the same thing. If you have a different view please do explain?
Calvin says that faith is the gift of God, right? So, in what way is Calvin false and muddying the water on the issue?
FreeGrace2: Calvinism believes that unregenerate man cannot believe the gospel, so God has to regenerate the man in order for man to believe. That is taught nowhere in the Bible.
WB: Prior to you being regenerated i.e. born again did you have faith in the promises yet future of Jesus Christ? IF you did do please explain how an unregenerate man can have faith?
Please show me where in Scripture it says that an unregenerate i.e. spiritually dead man can believe what God has to say?