Is total depravity (radical corruption) a biblical teaching?
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Well thats honestly amazing, that you could read that, i would have to crucify so much of my flesh to read such a huge thing, have you read a book called, Chosen By God by RC Sproul? because in that he teaches what people call "Calvinism" in a very straightforward and loving manner, this book is only 200 pages or so, i recommend you read it.
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Calvin's Institutes
James White is one of the most well known Calvinists out there. That's a warning.
If James White has children, keep them in your prayers. If you watch this you'll know why.
OSAS ETERNAL LIFE KEPT SECURE IN CHRIST
John Calvin Quotes,Calvinist Quotes,Unbelievable
Here are 23 quotes showing calvinism does teach C-god invents all evil with his own imagination from before foundation of the world making God the Source, Designer and Determinier of all evil , then irresistibly determines and infuses this evil into helpless creatures but it is funny how John Calvinists love to quote from the Council of Orange when it actually condemns them as Heretics while it affirms Armin ianism as 100% biblical.
“We not only DO NOT believe that any are FOREORDAINED TO EVIL BY THE POWER OF GOD, but even state with utter abhorrence that if there are those who want to believe so EVIL A THING, they are ANATHEMA.”
James White is one of the most well known Calvinists out there. That's a warning.
If James White has children, keep them in your prayers. If you watch this you'll know why.
OSAS ETERNAL LIFE KEPT SECURE IN CHRIST
John Calvin Quotes,Calvinist Quotes,Unbelievable
Here are 23 quotes showing calvinism does teach C-god invents all evil with his own imagination from before foundation of the world making God the Source, Designer and Determinier of all evil , then irresistibly determines and infuses this evil into helpless creatures but it is funny how John Calvinists love to quote from the Council of Orange when it actually condemns them as Heretics while it affirms Armin ianism as 100% biblical.
“We not only DO NOT believe that any are FOREORDAINED TO EVIL BY THE POWER OF GOD, but even state with utter abhorrence that if there are those who want to believe so EVIL A THING, they are ANATHEMA.”
- Second Council of Orange 2nd paragraph of the conclusion section.–529 A.D. Calvinsts always quote selectively from cannons of Orange and avoid that conclusion section , So Here are several QUOTES from Calvinsts that Orange would clearly condemn as Heresy, possibly the clearest Heresy in the History of the Church , No Mormon or Jehovah’s witness could hold a candle to these quotes.
Im just gonna leave two verses here straight from the bible itself, not John Calvin etc etc... or James White ...
One from the OT, one from the NT.
Genesis 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today.
Acts 2:23
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
im also wondering, Whispered? what is your explanation of these verses, since if your theology is biblical, it must include these verses...
One from the OT, one from the NT.
Genesis 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today.
Acts 2:23
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
im also wondering, Whispered? what is your explanation of these verses, since if your theology is biblical, it must include these verses...
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I think the fuller reading is valid.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/book3/chapter-23.html
This is Book 3 of Calvin's Institutes and the excerpt in my post above, referring to chapter 23:7 in full is below. I have underlined in bold what was excerpted and posted in my post #126
7. They deny that it is ever said in distinct terms, God decreed that Adam should perish by his revolt. As if the same God, who is declared in Scripture to do whatsoever he pleases, could have made the noblest of his creatures without any special purpose. They say that, in accordance with free-will, he was to be the architect of his own fortune, that God had decreed nothing but to treat him according to his desert. If this frigid fiction is received, where will be the omnipotence of God, by which, according to his secret counsel on which every thing depends, he rules over all? But whether they will allow it or not, predestination is manifest in Adam's posterity. It was not owing to nature that they all lost salvation by the fault of one parent. Why should they refuse to admit with regard to one man that which against their will they admit with regard to the whole human race? Why should they in caviling lose their labour? Scripture proclaims that all were, in the person of one, made liable to eternal death. As this cannot be ascribed to nature, it is plain that it is owing to the wonderful counsel of God. It is very absurd in these worthy defenders of the justice of God to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. I again ask how it is that the fall of Adam involves so many nations with their infant children in eternal death without remedy unless that it so seemed meet to God? Here the most loquacious tongues must be dumb. The decree, I admit, is, dreadful; and yet it is impossible to deny that God foreknow what the end of man was to be before he made him, and foreknew, because he had so ordained by his decree. Should any one here inveigh against the prescience of God, he does it rashly and unadvisedly. For why, pray, should it be made a charge against the heavenly Judge, that he was not ignorant of what was to happen? Thus, if there is any just or plausible complaint, it must be directed against predestination. Nor ought it to seem absurd when I say, that God not only foresaw the fall of the first man, and in him the ruin of his posterity; but also at his own pleasure arranged it. For as it belongs to his wisdom to foreknow all future events, so it belongs to his power to rule and govern them by his hand. This question, like others, is skillfully explained by Augustine: "Let us confess with the greatest benefit, what we believe with the greatest truth, that the God and Lord of all things who made all things very good, both foreknow that evil was to arise out of good, and knew that it belonged to his most omnipotent goodness to bring good out of evil, rather than not permit evil to be, and so ordained the life of angels and men as to show in it, first, what free-will could do; and, secondly, what the benefit of his grace and his righteous judgment could do," (August. Enchir. ad Laurent). [Source - end of 7]
These resources of Calvin himself help dispel the claim of Calvinists who say they start new threads promoting the tenets of the TULIP formula because people have, paraphrasing, posted false information so as to condemn Calvinism.
Calvin's own writing just in the excerpted text of his Book 3 of his Institutes shows what has been said about the formation of TULIP and the idea of its elect.
That for it to be true, man did not inherit the "T" , of TULIP, "Total Depravity", from the inherited sin of Adam. Rather, it is deeper than that and it begins when one accepts TULIP's platform concerning the Elect. That God created a list of names, His Elect, before the world came to exist. Those whom He would force, being Calvinists insist man has no free will and being totally depraved are unable to choose God themselves, into his grace, the "I" of TULIP, Irresistible Grace, which would then force that chosen Elect one to also gain faith in God.
However, and the full verse 7 above demonstrates this and especially in the bold underlined part, before all that can happen, the Elect saved by forced grace and imbued with faith, there had to be something to save them from! Which is to say, God would have had to pre-arrange the Fall and man's separation from Himself due to sin.
Verse 7 above affirms that. Therefore, those who say people who contend Calvinism corrupts the truth of scriptures are affirmed by of all people Calvin himself!
This means that the Christians here that do know this and speak to this fact are not speaking falsehoods against Calvinism.
I think it also merits a question. Why would a self professed Calvinist not know what is contained in the Institutes?
https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/calvin-institutes-christianity/book3/chapter-23.html
This is Book 3 of Calvin's Institutes and the excerpt in my post above, referring to chapter 23:7 in full is below. I have underlined in bold what was excerpted and posted in my post #126
7. They deny that it is ever said in distinct terms, God decreed that Adam should perish by his revolt. As if the same God, who is declared in Scripture to do whatsoever he pleases, could have made the noblest of his creatures without any special purpose. They say that, in accordance with free-will, he was to be the architect of his own fortune, that God had decreed nothing but to treat him according to his desert. If this frigid fiction is received, where will be the omnipotence of God, by which, according to his secret counsel on which every thing depends, he rules over all? But whether they will allow it or not, predestination is manifest in Adam's posterity. It was not owing to nature that they all lost salvation by the fault of one parent. Why should they refuse to admit with regard to one man that which against their will they admit with regard to the whole human race? Why should they in caviling lose their labour? Scripture proclaims that all were, in the person of one, made liable to eternal death. As this cannot be ascribed to nature, it is plain that it is owing to the wonderful counsel of God. It is very absurd in these worthy defenders of the justice of God to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. I again ask how it is that the fall of Adam involves so many nations with their infant children in eternal death without remedy unless that it so seemed meet to God? Here the most loquacious tongues must be dumb. The decree, I admit, is, dreadful; and yet it is impossible to deny that God foreknow what the end of man was to be before he made him, and foreknew, because he had so ordained by his decree. Should any one here inveigh against the prescience of God, he does it rashly and unadvisedly. For why, pray, should it be made a charge against the heavenly Judge, that he was not ignorant of what was to happen? Thus, if there is any just or plausible complaint, it must be directed against predestination. Nor ought it to seem absurd when I say, that God not only foresaw the fall of the first man, and in him the ruin of his posterity; but also at his own pleasure arranged it. For as it belongs to his wisdom to foreknow all future events, so it belongs to his power to rule and govern them by his hand. This question, like others, is skillfully explained by Augustine: "Let us confess with the greatest benefit, what we believe with the greatest truth, that the God and Lord of all things who made all things very good, both foreknow that evil was to arise out of good, and knew that it belonged to his most omnipotent goodness to bring good out of evil, rather than not permit evil to be, and so ordained the life of angels and men as to show in it, first, what free-will could do; and, secondly, what the benefit of his grace and his righteous judgment could do," (August. Enchir. ad Laurent). [Source - end of 7]
These resources of Calvin himself help dispel the claim of Calvinists who say they start new threads promoting the tenets of the TULIP formula because people have, paraphrasing, posted false information so as to condemn Calvinism.
Calvin's own writing just in the excerpted text of his Book 3 of his Institutes shows what has been said about the formation of TULIP and the idea of its elect.
That for it to be true, man did not inherit the "T" , of TULIP, "Total Depravity", from the inherited sin of Adam. Rather, it is deeper than that and it begins when one accepts TULIP's platform concerning the Elect. That God created a list of names, His Elect, before the world came to exist. Those whom He would force, being Calvinists insist man has no free will and being totally depraved are unable to choose God themselves, into his grace, the "I" of TULIP, Irresistible Grace, which would then force that chosen Elect one to also gain faith in God.
However, and the full verse 7 above demonstrates this and especially in the bold underlined part, before all that can happen, the Elect saved by forced grace and imbued with faith, there had to be something to save them from! Which is to say, God would have had to pre-arrange the Fall and man's separation from Himself due to sin.
Verse 7 above affirms that. Therefore, those who say people who contend Calvinism corrupts the truth of scriptures are affirmed by of all people Calvin himself!
This means that the Christians here that do know this and speak to this fact are not speaking falsehoods against Calvinism.
I think it also merits a question. Why would a self professed Calvinist not know what is contained in the Institutes?
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And...………… There are three more books in the Institutes, each with something like 17 to 25 sections each. I also believe any follower of the Reformation, but especially someone wishing to be a "Calvinst", should read them all at least once. As I have said, I am on my 4th shot at the thing, and still am not sure what I have read.
Why?
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
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Why?
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
I wanted to add this separately because the above post #129 is rather lengthy with information.
Calvinism also teaches what is known as , "Double Predestination". This too affirms those who have posted credible information refuting Calvinism and TULIP and TULIP affiliated RT Denominations.
What is Double Predestination? It means that God predestined those who would be saved by Him. And those whom He would send to Hell.
The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 says, chapter III: "God freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass.".
[This is "Double Predestination" *my comment in these bracketsj By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.
Double predestination
Double predestination is the idea that not only does God choose some to be saved, he also creates some people who will be damned.[9]
Modern Calvinists respond to the ethical dilemma of double predestination by explaining that God's active predestination is only for the elect. God provides grace to the elect causing salvation, but for the damned God withholds salvific grace. Calvinists teach that God remains just and fair in creating persons he predestines to damnation because although God unilaterally works in the elect producing regeneration, God does not actively force the damned to sin.[10] It is not the view of any of the Reformed confessions, which speak of God passing over rather than actively reprobating the damned.
Scholars have disagreed over whether Heinrich Bullinger accepted the doctrine of double predestination. Frank A. James says that he rejected it, preferring a view called "single predestination" where God elects some to salvation, but does not in any way predestine to reprobation.[11] Cornelis Venema, on the other hand, argues that "Bullinger did not consistently articulate a doctrine of single predestination," and defended double predestination on a few occasions.[12]
From the Institutes Book III (found at the link above)
Chapter XI
Of Justification
IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
Whereas Christians believe when they accept Christ as Savior they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Book of John chapter 14 verse 17.
And are justified.
The Book of Romans chapter 10 verses 9–13
... because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Christian Denominations that follow Calvinism (An incomplete world list)
"The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant Christian denominations connected by a common Calvinist system of doctrine. "
Calvinism also teaches what is known as , "Double Predestination". This too affirms those who have posted credible information refuting Calvinism and TULIP and TULIP affiliated RT Denominations.
What is Double Predestination? It means that God predestined those who would be saved by Him. And those whom He would send to Hell.
The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 says, chapter III: "God freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass.".
[This is "Double Predestination" *my comment in these bracketsj By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.
Double predestination
Double predestination is the idea that not only does God choose some to be saved, he also creates some people who will be damned.[9]
Modern Calvinists respond to the ethical dilemma of double predestination by explaining that God's active predestination is only for the elect. God provides grace to the elect causing salvation, but for the damned God withholds salvific grace. Calvinists teach that God remains just and fair in creating persons he predestines to damnation because although God unilaterally works in the elect producing regeneration, God does not actively force the damned to sin.[10] It is not the view of any of the Reformed confessions, which speak of God passing over rather than actively reprobating the damned.
Scholars have disagreed over whether Heinrich Bullinger accepted the doctrine of double predestination. Frank A. James says that he rejected it, preferring a view called "single predestination" where God elects some to salvation, but does not in any way predestine to reprobation.[11] Cornelis Venema, on the other hand, argues that "Bullinger did not consistently articulate a doctrine of single predestination," and defended double predestination on a few occasions.[12]
From the Institutes Book III (found at the link above)
Chapter XI
Of Justification
IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
Whereas Christians believe when they accept Christ as Savior they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Book of John chapter 14 verse 17.
And are justified.
The Book of Romans chapter 10 verses 9–13
... because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Christian Denominations that follow Calvinism (An incomplete world list)
"The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant Christian denominations connected by a common Calvinist system of doctrine. "
Because probably only a small percentage of Calvinists have actually read the Institutes. Whatever they have imbibed is basically what their churches teach. But very few have sat down with the Bible and asked themselves "Is this REALLY SUPPORTED by Scriptures, or are they all man-made doctrines?" The same could be said for Catholics and all cultists.
GALATIANS 1 (KJV)
BENEDICTION
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
ANOTHER GOSPEL IN OPPOSITION TO THE TRUE GOSPEL
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
THE TRUE GOSPEL IS BY DIVINE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
GALATIANS 1 (KJV)
BENEDICTION
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.ANOTHER GOSPEL IN OPPOSITION TO THE TRUE GOSPEL
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
THE TRUE GOSPEL IS BY DIVINE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Because probably only a small percentage of Calvinists have actually read the Institutes. Whatever they have imbibed is basically what their churches teach. But very few have sat down with the Bible and asked themselves "Is this REALLY SUPPORTED by Scriptures, or are they all man-made doctrines?" The same could be said for Catholics and all cultists.
GALATIANS 1 (KJV)
BENEDICTION
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
ANOTHER GOSPEL IN OPPOSITION TO THE TRUE GOSPEL
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
THE TRUE GOSPEL IS BY DIVINE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
GALATIANS 1 (KJV)
BENEDICTION
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.ANOTHER GOSPEL IN OPPOSITION TO THE TRUE GOSPEL
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
THE TRUE GOSPEL IS BY DIVINE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And there are official Vatican approved Bibles so if they did choose to read scripture they'd have to avail themselves of the approved version.
Why?
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
Reformed theology doesn't depend on John Calvin.
As I've stated, I understood predestination and election simply from reading the Bible, before I knew John Calvin's name.
John Calvin was a systematic theologian, but what matters is whether the teaching is found in the Bible.
You have all these guys walking around claiming Reformed people worship John Calvin or are baptized in his name or whatever. They are dolts who don't know what they are talking about. They simply listen to Dave Hunt and others like him, and parrot back their claims
@Roughsoul1991 ?? How about responding to this post #76 on page 4, please?
Reformed individuals believe in radical corruption.
We acknowledge that man has a creaturely free will that is constrained by his fallen nature. He freely sins because he is a sinner by nature.
Some free-willers believe in partial depravity, but others don't believe in depravity at all. They do not believe man's nature was corrupted by the Fall.
This fringe would be called Pelagianism.
I'm not sure why you are framing the discussion in terms of "free will", though. I would focus on the degree of curruption. You seem to deny that the Fall has affected mankind in terms of his nature.
Do you believe the Fall caused a corruption of man's nature? Or, perhaps, do you believe that man sins as a result of the bad example of his ancestors?
If the former, this is proper original sin, and is orthodox. If the latter, this is Pelagianism, and is unorthodox.
If you believe the Fall caused a partial corruption of man's nature, but the person can, without regeneration, exercise faith and repentance in order to come into a right relationship with God, this is semi-Pelagianism.
So, I would frame the discussion in terms of radical corruption, partial corruption, or no corruption. Which option do you believe in?
We acknowledge that man has a creaturely free will that is constrained by his fallen nature. He freely sins because he is a sinner by nature.
Some free-willers believe in partial depravity, but others don't believe in depravity at all. They do not believe man's nature was corrupted by the Fall.
This fringe would be called Pelagianism.
I'm not sure why you are framing the discussion in terms of "free will", though. I would focus on the degree of curruption. You seem to deny that the Fall has affected mankind in terms of his nature.
Do you believe the Fall caused a corruption of man's nature? Or, perhaps, do you believe that man sins as a result of the bad example of his ancestors?
If the former, this is proper original sin, and is orthodox. If the latter, this is Pelagianism, and is unorthodox.
If you believe the Fall caused a partial corruption of man's nature, but the person can, without regeneration, exercise faith and repentance in order to come into a right relationship with God, this is semi-Pelagianism.
So, I would frame the discussion in terms of radical corruption, partial corruption, or no corruption. Which option do you believe in?