Why thank you, Mr. Soundbite.
You will use the same thing every time.
But, never showing why it is so...
Here's what I discern about your beliefs. All quotes are Irenaeus' observations of the Valentinian gnostics in
Against Heresies book 1, chapter 6. Your quotes are bulleted
Gnostics believed in the total depravity of the material world, and by extension, the flesh
"matter is incapable of salvation"
"it is impossible that material substance should partake of salvation (since, indeed, they maintain that it is incapable of receiving it) "
You believe in the total depravity of the flesh
- Grace must shut down the barrier of the depravity of the flesh.
- He can not provide the gift of faith until after the barrier of the flesh's depravity is deactivated.
Gnostics believed grace was a spiritual substance or power that descended from above in a mysterious conjunction with the elect that enabled them to receive gnosis that freed them from the total depravity of the material world
"For they declare that we [Christians] simply receive grace for use, wherefore also it will again be taken away from us; but that they themselves have grace as their own special possession, which has descended from above by means of an unspeakable and indescribable conjunction; and on this account more will be given them. They maintain, therefore, that in every way it is always necessary for them to practise the mystery of conjunction.
You have a similar view of grace
- Grace is God's enabling power.
- Power to enable those who would otherwise be helpless to do, or choose freely.
- God's power of Grace turns off the power of the flesh's dominance over our soul.
Gnostics believed gnosis freed them from the prison of the material world by awakening them to their spiritual nature
"Wherefore also they maintain that good works are necessary to us [Christians], for that otherwise it is impossible we should be saved. But as to themselves, they hold that they shall be entirely and undoubtedly saved, not by means of conduct, but because they are spiritual by nature."
You have a similar view. Replace "word of God" with gnosis. The choosing to do so, or not to, is IMO what the gnostics called practicing the mystery of conjunction, ie, believing gnosis freed them from totally depravity of the material world because they were spiritual in nature
- The flesh was what had imprisoned our soul, and prevents man from believing.
- Then the Word of God (faith) is revealed to the soul after it was made free of the flesh (by grace).
- Then the soul, in the freedom just granted it by grace, will decide to accept, or reject, the word of God.
- Then, and only then.
- Our soul is made free to believe... and chooses to do so, or not to.
Gnostics considered themselves superior to and were abusive to Christians who didn't have gnosis
"Animal men, again, are instructed in animal things; such men, namely, as are established by their works, and by a mere faith, while they have not perfect knowledge. We of the Church, they say, are these persons."
"...they run us [Christians] down (who from the fear of God guard against sinning even in thought or word) as utterly contemptible and ignorant persons, while they highly exalt themselves, and claim to be perfect, and the elect seed"
You exude a spiritual superiority over other Christians who you consider to be at a lower level. I have yet to see you exhibit one of the spiritual fruits in Galatians 5:22-23
- It's not always a lovey-dovey God's expression. That was intended for baby Christians.
- Search and pray... Find someone who can teach you the word of God on the same level that Peter, Paul, and John did.
I'm certain if I knew more about what you believe it would dovetail nicely with what the Valentinians believed