Calvinism is Gospel !
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You are creating distinctions that simply do not exist in the biblical text. Let's look at the Greek and the grammar:
- 1. On Romans 10:17: The verse says “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The physical sound hits everyone’s ears, but spiritual "hearing" requires God's work. As Proverbs 20:12 says, “The hearing ear... the Lord hath made.” Preaching doesn't find a good free will; it creates a right heart because God opens the ears of His sheep (John 10:27). [1, 2, 3]
- 2. On Predestination vs. Pre-determination: This is a completely fabricated distinction. The Greek word for predestined is προορίζω (proorizō). Pro means "before" and horizō means "to determine or decree." Literally, the Bible uses the word pre-determine. You are fighting the actual vocabulary of the Holy Spirit. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- 3. On "Cooperation": You claim we must cooperate to be changed. But Ephesians 2:1 says you were dead in sins. A spiritual corpse cannot cooperate with God to resurrect itself. God sovereignly gives life first, and then the living person willingly cooperates.
- 4. On Jesus’ Mission: You say Jesus came to save sinners. Exactly! He didn’t come to make salvation a possibility if man cooperates; He came to actually save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). If a sinner Christ died for ends up in hell, then Christ failed to save them. I believe in a Savior who never fails.
Agree.
Correct soteriology....
God has from eternity ordained salvation through Christ as the Elect One.
In His sovereignty, God chooses to save those who believe in the Chosen One (Christ).
Faith in Christ is the only condition for election unto salvation.
Those who freely believe in Christ will have eternal life and becomes part of the elect (the Church).
Those who choose to reject Christ are condemned.
It is not supported by scripture that God have ordained from eternity some to eternal life, and condemned others to eternal damnation, even before they were born apart from a free response of faith in Christ.
Where do you see a decision being called for in the passage?
How about this:
Did you have anything to do with your natural birth?
Romans 1:20 teaches that the invisible things of God are known from creation and the invisible things of God are understood by the things that are seen. Nature teaches that no one had any part in visible birth. What does this teach about the invisible birth?
Please don't compare natural birth to spiritual birth. John 3:16 very clearly says, "For God so loved the world.......whosoever believes in him should not perish". Here, the phrase "whosoever believes in him" is a choice given to a person.
The context of Rom. 1:20 is about believing in the existence of God. It does not apply to our current subject.
It has everything to do with it. Everything that was created was to teach us something about God.
Whosoever believes in Him describes those who are saved. The passage says nothing of how they came to believe.
What is the logical progression? Only when you believe you will be saved, right? If you are already saved, why should God ask you to believe?
Paul cannot contradict himself.You are implying he did so when you ignore 1Corinthians 2 and other similar verses.
Total Hereditary Depravity - or Inherited sin, is the starting point of Calvinism. The other 4 points of Calvinism are a direct outgrowth of this.
A true Calvinist believes that man is so depraved that he cannot respond to the gospel in any way unless he is supernaturally regenerated first
Take away inherited sin and whole tulip system withers and becomes compost.
So the debate should be inherited sin
A true Calvinist believes that man is so depraved that he cannot respond to the gospel in any way unless he is supernaturally regenerated first
Take away inherited sin and whole tulip system withers and becomes compost.
So the debate should be inherited sin
It seems people will recite scripture but understanding the meaning seems to be elusive.
That is a very good image... demonstrates the absurdity.
I would say the focus/problem all comes down to "gifted" initial faith.. but yes, Augustine's concept of original sin definitely part of the problem
Your view completely reverses the explicit grammar and order of Scripture. Let's let the text speak:
- 1. God chooses people, not just a plan: In Ephesians 1:4, Paul writes that God “hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” The direct object of God's choice is us (specific individuals), not an empty category or a corporate structure. He didn't choose a concept; He chose His people.
- 2. Scripture explicitly says election happens before birth: You claim Scripture doesn't support God ordaining people before they are born apart from their choices. But Romans 9:11-13 says exactly that regarding Jacob and Esau: “the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.” Paul completely rules out human responses or choices as the basis for election.
- 3. Faith is the result of election, not the cause: You claim faith is the condition to become elect. But Acts 13:48 states the exact opposite order: “and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” People do not believe to become ordained; they believe because they were already ordained by God's sovereign choice.
Belief isn't a decision. You either believe or you don't.
Faith itself comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Many here believe that verse says faith comes by hearing the word of God. But that isn't what the scripture says. It says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Note:
Doesn't say: hearing the word of God produces faith.
Does say: the word of produces hearing. Hearing produces faith.
This is the power of the gospel that Paul was not ashamed of.
Not when we're told the natural man cannot understand the things of God. Which means,we cannot understand,much less choose,of our own free thought.
This is the fact reiterated when Jesus says,many are called,few are chosen.
Yes,there are those who say they're Christians. But they're not. Note gangster rappers,as example,who rap about running prostitution rings,gang banging, doing drugs, murdering people. And, white wearing cross pendants.
You just made that up, nothing about giving anyone a choice there.
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