Are you a monergist or a synergist?

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decipher said:
It's rediculous that in my prior post on this question people thought that it was a multiple choice question. Again, I was unable to erase two of the monergist=0 synergist =0. No one answered my post so I'll ask it again. Are you a monergist or a synergist. Which ever you are, add 1 to your choice. You don't have to comment. Only true Christians respond. It seems that there aren't too many of you. I'll start it off.
Monergist=1 and Synergist =0
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Monergistic describes the theological view that God is the sole agent of human salvation and regeneration, working entirely by Himself without human cooperation.

Synergistic means working together to produce a combined effect that is greater than the sum of separate effects.

I guess according to the above meanings I would have to go more with the bottom one as I believe we humans at least have to ask God for forgiveness and help in overcoming our sins and Jesus blood covers us as he paid the price. The Holy Spirit helps us to overcome and keeps us from temptations. So it is a work in progress humans and God together. Jesus is the above one as in he is God's solution for our sin problem we have to accept him as our savior.
 
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decipher said:
I just find it hard to believe that an all-knowing God would offer His gift to someone and it being rejected. The gift that He offers is repentance for sins committed. That was Jesus' first sermon, to call sinners to repentance. This repentance leads one to turn to God for forgiveness. The knowledge of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus' death on the cross is brought to him through preaching and the Bible. When he believes Jesus baptizes him in the name of the Holy Spirit which acts as a doorway for Jesus and the Father, who is in Jesus, to enter the being indwelled. It is they who change the motivation for living from love of self first, to love of God first and all others as one loves himself. Those are the two greatest commandments that Jesus described when he was asked. The results of this change is acts of love.




​
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Yes, but love cannot be programmed into robots; it must be accepted happily, which is why unrepentant sinners condemn themselves when they reject God/refuse to cooperate with His loving will.
 
So far it's monergist= 3 and synergist= 2. Thank you for those who participated. Let's continue. Remember, you don't have to comment on your choice.
 
I'm trying to figure out why Christians are not responding to my request. I'm going to add another choice to my choices.
monergist=4, synergist=2, not sure=0
For those that are unsure, here is some information that might help you to decide.
The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 serves as one of the most powerful and precise biblical illustrations of monergism, particularly regarding the doctrine of regeneration (the new birth) and the spiritual state of fallen humanity. In Reformed theology, the Lazarus narrative is frequently invoked to dismantle synergism (the idea that God and man cooperate to effect salvation) and to demonstrate the absolute sovereignty of God in quickening the spiritually dead.​
1. The Condition of the Subject: Total Inability
In John 11: 39, Martha warns Jesus regarding Lazarus's body: "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
  • The Reality of Death: A physical corpse is utterly lifeless, decaying, and incapable of self-preservation, self-improvement, or movement. A dead man cannot accept a medical treatment, cooperate with a surgeon, or assist in his own resuscitation.​
  • The Theological Parallel: Scripture describes unregenerate humanity in identical terms--not merely sick, weak, or asleep, but "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2: 1). Just as a physical corpse lacks any capacity to respond to physical stimuli, a spiritually dead soul lacks the spiritual faculties to initiate faith, seek God, or choose Christ apart from divine intervention (Romans 3: 10-12, and John 6:44).​
 
decipher said:
I'm trying to figure out why Christians are not responding to my request. I'm going to add another choice to my choices.
monergist=4, synergist=2, not sure=0
For those that are unsure, here is some information that might help you to decide.
The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 serves as one of the most powerful and precise biblical illustrations of monergism, particularly regarding the doctrine of regeneration (the new birth) and the spiritual state of fallen humanity. In Reformed theology, the Lazarus narrative is frequently invoked to dismantle synergism (the idea that God and man cooperate to effect salvation) and to demonstrate the absolute sovereignty of God in quickening the spiritually dead.​
1. The Condition of the Subject: Total Inability
In John 11: 39, Martha warns Jesus regarding Lazarus's body: "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
  • The Reality of Death: A physical corpse is utterly lifeless, decaying, and incapable of self-preservation, self-improvement, or movement. A dead man cannot accept a medical treatment, cooperate with a surgeon, or assist in his own resuscitation.​
  • The Theological Parallel: Scripture describes unregenerate humanity in identical terms--not merely sick, weak, or asleep, but "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2: 1). Just as a physical corpse lacks any capacity to respond to physical stimuli, a spiritually dead soul lacks the spiritual faculties to initiate faith, seek God, or choose Christ apart from divine intervention (Romans 3: 10-12, and John 6:44).​
Click to expand...

This post demonstrates putting one's thumb on the scale.
How about also citing Scripture supporting synergism/MFW?
 
2. The Nature of the Call: The Efficacious Word
When Jesus stands before the tomb, He does not offer a tentative suggestion, ask for Lazarus's permission, or wait for Lazarus to exercise his free will. Instead, He speaks with sovereign, creative authority: "Lazarus come forth" (John 11: 43)
  • An Effectual Call: In theology, this mirrors the effectual call of the Holy Spirit. If Jesus had merely shouted into the air as a general invitation to all who were dead in tombs nearby, none would have moved. The call was specifically and powerfully directed to Lazarus.
  • Creating What It Commands: Christ's voice did not appeal to an existing spark of life within Lazarus; rather, His voice imparted the very life it demanded. The command carried the omnipotent power of God, breaking the bonds of death instantly.
 
3. The Order of Salvation: Life Precedes Action
One of the core tenets of monergism is that regeneration precedes faith.
  • The Sequence in the Tomb: Lazarus did not walk out of the tomb in order to become alive; he had to be made alive before he could walk out. His movement ("coming forth") was the fruit and evidence of life, not the cause of it.
  • The Monergistic Framework: In salvation, God alone performs the work of spiritual resurrection. He breathes spiritual life into the dead soul (monergism), and the immediate, inevitable result of that new life is repentance, faith, and obedience (synergistic human responsibility acting out of a renewed nature). Man does not cooperate to achieve the new birth; the new birth enables man to respond.
  • GWH said:
    This post demonstrates putting one's thumb on the scale.
    How about also citing Scripture supporting synergism/MFW?
    Click to expand...
    Firstly, what does MFW stand for? And Secondly, thank you for supplying the Scriptures supporting synergism so that people that are unsure can have both sides.
 
decipher said:
3. The Order of Salvation: Life Precedes Action
One of the core tenets of monergism is that regeneration precedes faith.
  • The Sequence in the Tomb: Lazarus did not walk out of the tomb in order to become alive; he had to be made alive before he could walk out. His movement ("coming forth") was the fruit and evidence of life, not the cause of it.
  • The Monergistic Framework: In salvation, God alone performs the work of spiritual resurrection. He breathes spiritual life into the dead soul (monergism), and the immediate, inevitable result of that new life is repentance, faith, and obedience (synergistic human responsibility acting out of a renewed nature). Man does not cooperate to achieve the new birth; the new birth enables man to respond.

  • Firstly, what does MFW stand for? And Secondly, thank you for supplying the Scriptures supporting synergism so that people that are unsure can have both sides.
Click to expand...

Here is what AI says about MFW:

In theological discussions, particularly in online Christian forums debating salvation and predestination, MFW stands for Moral Free Will. It is used as a direct counter-acronym and alternative framework to TULIP (the acronym representing the five points of Calvinism).

While TULIP represents the Reformed Calvinist view of salvation, the MFW framework outlines a perspective prioritizing human volition and accountability:
  • M – Moral Condition: The belief that God’s requirement for salvation is a moral condition—faith—which presumes enough human choice to make individuals morally accountable.
  • F – Freedom: The belief that God provides all morally accountable souls with sufficient freedom or grace to choose to accept or reject salvation (rejecting the Calvinist idea of Irresistible Grace).
  • W – Will: The belief that faith is fundamentally an exercise of human volition/will cooperating with God's grace, which does not mean the person is "earning" their way to heaven, but rather actively accepting a gift.
May I suggest you study Scripture yourself until you understand how it supports synergism before naively voting for monergism?
My thread on Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture should be helpful in this regard.
 
decipher said:
I'm trying to figure out why Christians are not responding to my request. I'm going to add another choice to my choices.
monergist=4, synergist=2, not sure=0
For those that are unsure, here is some information that might help you to decide.
The resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 serves as one of the most powerful and precise biblical illustrations of monergism, particularly regarding the doctrine of regeneration (the new birth) and the spiritual state of fallen humanity. In Reformed theology, the Lazarus narrative is frequently invoked to dismantle synergism (the idea that God and man cooperate to effect salvation) and to demonstrate the absolute sovereignty of God in quickening the spiritually dead.​
1. The Condition of the Subject: Total Inability
In John 11: 39, Martha warns Jesus regarding Lazarus's body: "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
  • The Reality of Death: A physical corpse is utterly lifeless, decaying, and incapable of self-preservation, self-improvement, or movement. A dead man cannot accept a medical treatment, cooperate with a surgeon, or assist in his own resuscitation.​
  • The Theological Parallel: Scripture describes unregenerate humanity in identical terms--not merely sick, weak, or asleep, but "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2: 1). Just as a physical corpse lacks any capacity to respond to physical stimuli, a spiritually dead soul lacks the spiritual faculties to initiate faith, seek God, or choose Christ apart from divine intervention (Romans 3: 10-12, and John 6:44).​
Click to expand...
I have given one reason why people may not be replying. You originally posted it in a thread which was in the form of a questionnaire, but all the choices were identical, instead of something such as:

1. Monergist

2. Synergist

3. Other

I think people may have been put off by that.
 
DavidLamb said:
I have given one reason why people may not be replying. You originally posted it in a thread which was in the form of a questionnaire, but all the choices were identical, instead of something such as:

1. Monergist

2. Synergist

3. Other

I think people may have been put off by that.
Click to expand...

Thanks David. I just think that it's such an important question that it poses as a dividing line or a fork on the road where one road is broad and headed to damnation and the other narrow leading to salvation. "No flesh will glory in His presence" can only mean one thing: no one can say that they deserve to be saved because they made the right decision, or believed the right things, or did the right things. True Christians are thankful to God for changing them from being slaves to the flesh, the world, or the devil to being slaves to God Almighty. Salvation is a state of being: full of love for God the Father and the Son first and all others as one loves himself.
1 John 5: 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and everyone that loveth Him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of Him.
Our labor as Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit (the presence of the Father and Son) is to present Truth and then it is up to God the Father who chooses who will believe. Besides being a messenger, we are able to ask the Father for anything in the Name of Jesus, and it will be granted. Anything refers to the most important thing which is the salvation of others through the Truth. God bless you David.
 
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decipher said:
Thanks David. I just think that it's such an important question that it poses as a dividing line or a fork on the road where one road is broad and headed to damnation and the other narrow leading to salvation. "No flesh will glory in His presence" can only mean one thing: no one can say that they deserve to be saved because they made the right decision, or believed the right things, or did the right things. True Christians are thankful to God for changing them from being slaves to the flesh, the world, or the devil to being slaves to God Almighty. Salvation is a state of being: full of love for God the Father and the Son first and all others as one loves himself.
1 John 5: 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and everyone that loveth Him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of Him.
Our labor as Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit (the presence of the Father and Son) is to present Truth and then it is up to God the Father who chooses who will believe. Besides being a messenger, we are able to ask the Father for anything in the Name of Jesus, and it will be granted. Anything refers to the most important thing which is the salvation of others through the Truth. God bless you David.
Click to expand...

And true Christians are thankful God loves everyone, that they decided to repent/cooperate with God's will,
and that their labor/work is motivated by/reflects divine love (Rom. 5:5).
 
GWH said:
Here is what AI says about MFW:

In theological discussions, particularly in online Christian forums debating salvation and predestination, MFW stands for Moral Free Will. It is used as a direct counter-acronym and alternative framework to TULIP (the acronym representing the five points of Calvinism).

While TULIP represents the Reformed Calvinist view of salvation, the MFW framework outlines a perspective prioritizing human volition and accountability:
  • M – Moral Condition: The belief that God’s requirement for salvation is a moral condition—faith—which presumes enough human choice to make individuals morally accountable.
  • F – Freedom: The belief that God provides all morally accountable souls with sufficient freedom or grace to choose to accept or reject salvation (rejecting the Calvinist idea of Irresistible Grace).
  • W – Will: The belief that faith is fundamentally an exercise of human volition/will cooperating with God's grace, which does not mean the person is "earning" their way to heaven, but rather actively accepting a gift.
May I suggest you study Scripture yourself until you understand how it supports synergism before naively voting for monergism?
My thread on Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture should be helpful in this regard.
Click to expand...

Since you were not able to give me scripture to support synergism, I'll present some that support monergism.
  1. Ephesians 1: 4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
  2. Romans 8: 29-30 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son....Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. The Father's glory is His Holy Spirit (His presence, mind, heart, and power). Our reality is in the mind of the Father, the invisible God. That is how He has all those god-like power and qualities. Through the Holy Spirit, the Father is able to interact in our reality (one of many). In a vacuum with nothing in it and nothing happening, time does not exist. Time in our reality began when the Father, in His mind places, places a being in it and calls him His Son. Now we have a before, during, and after. The Father fills His Son with His Glory so that this being (with his own presence, mind, and heart) is also given the presence, mind, heart, and power of the Father. The Son loves the Father and shows his love through obedience. That is why the Son is the image of the invisible God. The Father loves the Son and shows His love by giving him the power and know-how to create our reality and puting this creation under the Son's feet (which makes the Son Lord of all creation in our reality). After Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, he ascended back to the Father to get glorified. There, he was given a spiritual body made up of the souls of humans who the Father chose for the Son to baptize with the Holy Spirit. These humans make up the true Church and because we are part of the body of Christ, we become children of the Father. It is the Father who chooses for the Son who to baptize with the Holy Spirit. We who have received the Holy Spirit have been glorified. Yea!
  3. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
  4. Acts 13: 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to enter eternal life believed.
  5. 2 Timothy 1: 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
  6. John 6: 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  7. John 6: 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him on my Father.
  8. Romans 9: 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
  9. Romans 9: 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make a vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
  10. Philippians 1: 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
  11. Ephesians 2: 1 And you hath he quickenen, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
  12. Colossians 2: 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
  13. James 1: 18 Of His own will begat He us with the word of Truth, that we shhould be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
  14. 1 Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Just as Jesus is resurrected from death, we as part of his spiritual body, will also be resurrected to eternal life through the new birth.
  15. John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
  16. John 1: 12-13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  17. John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain...Even Jesus's eleven remaining apostles were chosen by Him to volunteer their service to him (which they did voluntarily).
  18. Ephesians 2: 8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
  19. John 6: 28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered, and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent. To work the works of God, we have to preach Jesus so that God the Father can do His work of choosing.
  20. Philippians 2: 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
  21. Titus 3: 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. That is by the erasing of our sins through Jesus Christ, and the perfecting of the Holy Spirit through love for God first, and all others as one loves himself.​
 
decipher said:
Since you were not able to give me scripture to support synergism, I'll present some that support monergism.
  1. Ephesians 1: 4-5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
  2. Romans 8: 29-30 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son....Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. The Father's glory is His Holy Spirit (His presence, mind, heart, and power). Our reality is in the mind of the Father, the invisible God. That is how He has all those god-like power and qualities. Through the Holy Spirit, the Father is able to interact in our reality (one of many). In a vacuum with nothing in it and nothing happening, time does not exist. Time in our reality began when the Father, in His mind places, places a being in it and calls him His Son. Now we have a before, during, and after. The Father fills His Son with His Glory so that this being (with his own presence, mind, and heart) is also given the presence, mind, heart, and power of the Father. The Son loves the Father and shows his love through obedience. That is why the Son is the image of the invisible God. The Father loves the Son and shows His love by giving him the power and know-how to create our reality and puting this creation under the Son's feet (which makes the Son Lord of all creation in our reality). After Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead, he ascended back to the Father to get glorified. There, he was given a spiritual body made up of the souls of humans who the Father chose for the Son to baptize with the Holy Spirit. These humans make up the true Church and because we are part of the body of Christ, we become children of the Father. It is the Father who chooses for the Son who to baptize with the Holy Spirit. We who have received the Holy Spirit have been glorified. Yea!
  3. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
  4. Acts 13: 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to enter eternal life believed.
  5. 2 Timothy 1: 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
  6. John 6: 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  7. John 6: 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him on my Father.
  8. Romans 9: 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
  9. Romans 9: 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make a vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
  10. Philippians 1: 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
  11. Ephesians 2: 1 And you hath he quickenen, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
  12. Colossians 2: 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
  13. James 1: 18 Of His own will begat He us with the word of Truth, that we shhould be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
  14. 1 Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Just as Jesus is resurrected from death, we as part of his spiritual body, will also be resurrected to eternal life through the new birth.
  15. John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
  16. John 1: 12-13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  17. John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain...Even Jesus's eleven remaining apostles were chosen by Him to volunteer their service to him (which they did voluntarily).
  18. Ephesians 2: 8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
  19. John 6: 28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered, and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent. To work the works of God, we have to preach Jesus so that God the Father can do His work of choosing.
  20. Philippians 2: 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
  21. Titus 3: 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. That is by the erasing of our sins through Jesus Christ, and the perfecting of the Holy Spirit through love for God first, and all others as one loves himself.​
Click to expand...

You ignored me pointing you to a thread full of Scripture: "My thread on Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture should be helpful in this regard", which is what tulipists always do.
 
decipher said:
Please post scriptures that will refute what the above scriptures obviously state.
Click to expand...

Again, my thread on Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture includes passages cited by people on both sides of the issue, but I can copy and paste it here if desired. I thought this thread was only for taking a poll.
 
GWH said:
Again, my thread on Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture includes passages cited by people on both sides of the issue, but I can copy and paste it here if desired. I thought this thread was only for taking a poll.
Click to expand...

And that is all I wanted. On post #13 you chose synergist. On post #14 I thanked you for choosing, but you chose to continue on post#15 and that forced me to respond. Again, thank you for responding by choosing. It's obvious that you are set in what you believe and no amount of scripture to the contrary will change your mind. I wish you well.
 
decipher said:
And that is all I wanted. On post #13 you chose synergist. On post #14 I thanked you for choosing, but you chose to continue on post#15 and that forced me to respond. Again, thank you for responding by choosing. It's obvious that you are set in what you believe and no amount of scripture to the contrary will change your mind. I wish you well.
Click to expand...
I am confident that God loves everyone and does not show favoritism BECAUSE of Scripture you choose to ignore at your own risk, and you would do well to read my thread with an open mind.
 
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