Writing a book on free will

[GoKart Mozart]

I guess I exaggerated... only have 50ish ... software doesn't like numbering them below.

1. Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
2. Genesis 8:21b for the intent (strong inclination, desire) of man’s heart is wicked from his youth;
3. Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.
4. Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good. 2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
5. Psalm 51:5 But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6. Psalm 58:3 The ungodly are perverse and estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. (Isaiah 48:8 speaks of Israel being born a transgressor at birth)
7. 
   
8. Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? (No!) Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
9. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
10. Isaiah 48:8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and that from before birth you were called a rebel.
11. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way
12. Isaiah 64:6 We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags
13. Matthew 7:18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree bear good fruit.”
14. Matthew 12:34 “How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
15. Matthew 19:25-26 “‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”

to be continued

You are still exaggerating.

 

[Mr GLee]

Some will say, that God has never given equal chances to people in the world. What of all those who have never heard about Jesus, did God give them an equal chance? But the reality is God is more powerful than we imagine. Throughout scripture God has communicated to His people using dreams and visions, it is not unreasonable to assume He would reach the unreachable using such methods. This is what he appears to do. We see this in the book Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? God does send dreams and visions to those who are for the most part unreachable. Although the Bible is still important in the salvation process in most of these cases, it is not unreasonable to suggest an American Indian, or Aztec who does not have the Bible, could receive enough revelation directly from God to be saved. God is just. As for the book Jason Elam, Israel Director says of the book:

I would think God gives new born again spirit life . "Let there be" and the testimonial seen a new creation was "God alone good"

No chances .God is not a gambling spirit. What he says comes to pass the mark of his living word.

The reality of God is limited to the living abiding word of God as it is written (sola scriptura). God is not longer bringing any new revelation in any manner. The last chapter of the book of prophecy is still Revelation sealed with 7 seals till the end of time . No sign were given to wonder after

Romans 2:1 For as many as have sinned without law (sola scriptura the gospel)shall also perish without law(sola scriptura the gospel): and as many as have sinned in the law(sola scriptura the gospel) shall be judged by the law; (sola scriptura the gospel)

One law as it is written. Many oral traditions of dying mankind like american Indians or Aztek, or atheist Jews.

 

[fastfredy0]

That is kind of mean of God don't you think, He has the power to communicate with man, but He says "I will only give you a partial vision", "not enough to save you"

From a human perspective you have a creditable query ... but God priority is Himself. He only has intrinsic worth. He is the potter and we are the clay. We might take in a stray cat or let the cat starve. God is far more superior to us than we are compared to a cat.
– we can’t accept the presumption that we are trying to define God over against a human abstraction called “good.” Instead we have to simply come back again and again to the fact that God is good. Whatever He does is good. Albert Mohler

is God love or not? If He is He will give all that is needed.

Agape = love = volition to favor
Christians tend to use your assertion to conclude this or that ... but if you look at what "love" is in more detail per scripture you will find God does not love/favor everyone save in a minor way like the rain falls on good and evil men.

Habakkuk 1:13b You cannot look on wickedness with favor ... since God's Love = FAVOR by definition we know the God does not love wicked people and thus does not love everyone
Love is bond of unity – Colossians 3:14 ... obviously the wicked cannot be loved by God as there is no "bond of unity" as opposed to regenerated people who are In Christ (you in me and I in you)

.... so your God is Love must be refined as opposed to assuming God love wicked people which would have God loving things contrary to Himself

 

[FutureAndAHope]

From a human perspective you have a creditable query ... but God priority is Himself. He only has intrinsic worth. He is the potter and we are the clay. We might take in a stray cat or let the cat starve. God is far more superior to us than we are compared to a cat.
– we can’t accept the presumption that we are trying to define God over against a human abstraction called “good.” Instead we have to simply come back again and again to the fact that God is good. Whatever He does is good. Albert Mohler



Agape = love = volition to favor
Christians tend to use your assertion to conclude this or that ... but if you look at what "love" is in more detail per scripture you will find God does not love/favor everyone save in a minor way like the rain falls on good and evil men.

Habakkuk 1:13b You cannot look on wickedness with favor ... since God's Love = FAVOR by definition we know the God does not love wicked people and thus does not love everyone
Love is bond of unity – Colossians 3:14 ... obviously the wicked cannot be loved by God as there is no "bond of unity" as opposed to regenerated people who are In Christ (you in me and I in you)

.... so your God is Love must be refined as opposed to assuming God love wicked people which would have God loving things contrary to Himself

True love would give the same chance to all people, but if they turn out wicked then the God who can not look upon wickedness comes into play. God does not pervert justice.

 

[fastfredy0]

What is free will? Free will is the ability to respond or to choose not to, to what God reveals to us.

This definition does not explain the term FREE in FREE WILL ... you have to say what we are free from. You already agreed that parents influence us.
You need to explain the CAUSE of our deciding to believe salvifically. Thus is the CRUX of the matter that you are writing a book about.

Libertarian Free Will means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God.
Augustine's definition was the one is free to do what he desire most at the time.
Arminians, when the define what they mean clearly which seldom happens in my experience state: The power of making choices that are neither determined by natural causality nor predestined by fate or divine will.

I think you need to expound on the FREE part of FREE WILL. Free from what? You definitely need to include the definition in a book near the beginning so people know what you are talking about.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Romans 2:1 For as many as have sinned without law (sola scriptura the gospel)shall also perish without law(sola scriptura the gospel): and as many as have sinned in the law(sola scriptura the gospel) shall be judged by the law; (sola scriptura the gospel)

You have to see the context of that statement to see what Paul is stating. He is stating that only the doers of the law are justified, not the hearers.

Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6 who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS":
Rom 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
Rom 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Rom 2:10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
God's Judgment and the Law
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

He goes on to say:

Rom 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
Rom 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
Rom 2:15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
Rom 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

He is saying all people, will be judged by their deeds.

 

[fastfredy0]

True love would give the same chance to all people

That's your perspective .. I gave scripture to give God's definition of love.

If God loved everyone as I perceive you define God's love then why would He give us a Sin Nature? Why doesn't everyone hear of Christ to have a chance to believe? Why do people who don't reach the age of accountability get a free ride to heaven or hell depending on you understanding of the "age of accountability" doctrine.
GOD IS NO FAIR BY HUMAN STANDARDS

God sure has a lot of verses saying He hate many people which contradicts your theory that God loves everyone.
Psalm 5:5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Habakkuk 1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:”

John 3:36 He that believeth [the elect] on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son [the unelect] shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Hebrews 1:9 “You have loved righteousness [integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose] and have hated lawlessness [injustice, sin].

Hebrews 12:29 God is [indeed] a consuming fire.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

This definition does not explain the term FREE in FREE WILL ... you have to say what we are free from. You already agreed that parents influence us.
You need to explain the CAUSE of our deciding to believe salvifically. Thus is the CRUX of the matter that you are writing a book about.

Libertarian Free Will means that our choices are free from the determination or constraints of human nature and free from any predetermination by God.
Augustine's definition was the one is free to do what he desire most at the time.
Arminians, when the define what they mean clearly which seldom happens in my experience state: The power of making choices that are neither determined by natural causality nor predestined by fate or divine will.

I think you need to expound on the FREE part of FREE WILL. Free from what? You definitely need to include the definition in a book near the beginning so people know what you are talking about.

My view is similar to Libertarian Free Will, but maybe not identical. So I have modified my definition.

What is my definition of free will? Free will is the ability to respond or to choose not to, to what God reveals to us. It is the view that our choices are free from any predetermination by God and that human nature does not override our ability to respond to the gospel when the truth is shown to us; the will of even the unregenerate man is intact (Romans 7:1822). I would like to suggest each of us is born in a state of the unknown, we don’t know how to be saved, and we don’t know what God requires. We do have a conscience so are aware of what sin is (Romans 2:15). But we often kick against the conscience. Each of us because of this has sinned. Because God loved the world He gave His Son to man (John 3:16) to save any who would respond to Him (1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:3-6) from their affection for sin (1 John 3:8), and gave them forgiveness of it based upon His love for us, not our perfect deeds (1 John 4:10). But God requires that people leave behind sin, that they choose to walk in His ways. God offers salvation to those willing to accept His gift of salvation, and willing to walk under His direction. The person who walks in God’s word will be saved (John 14:23-24, Romans 2: 5-11), and the person who suppresses the knowledge God gives, who continually pushes away His word (Romans 1:18) without repentance (Psalm 58:5, Job 36:12) will be damned.

 

[Mr GLee]

You have to see the context of that statement to see what Paul is stating. He is stating that only the doers of the law are justified, not the hearers.

Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6 who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS":
Rom 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
Rom 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Rom 2:10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
God's Judgment and the Law
Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

He goes on to say:

Rom 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
Rom 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,
Rom 2:15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)
Rom 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

He is saying all people, will be judged by their deeds.

The standard is His written law .(sola scriptura) Those who have never read the Bible or heard the living word of God perish without , Those who do hear and do not become born again they die in the same way.

Sons of God born again believers are strengthened by God's Holy Spirit to "both" hear and "move according to his good pleasure .Some murmur like Jonas other like Jesus did the will strengthened the powerful father with delight .

God is not served by the dying hands of mankinkind in any way shape or form . . . new creation not rebuilt or restored

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

All people will be judged by the deeds of Christ's labor of His love yoked with us . The better thing that accompanies salvation (salvation itself )

Promising us he will not forget the good works or labor of our love according to the power of His name of his work of faith in us.

Unlike others they hear the letter of the law (death) it pricks their hard hearts like thorns. . . in the end is to be burned

Hebrews 6: 8-11 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

 

[fastfredy0]

My view is similar to Libertarian Free Will, but maybe not identical. So I have modified my definition.

What is my definition of free will? Free will is the ability to respond or to choose not to, to what God reveals to us. It is the view that our choices are free from any predetermination by God and that human nature does not override our ability to respond to the gospel when the truth is shown to us; the will of even the unregenerate man is intact (Romans 7:1822).

Your definition is much clearer now. You explained the FREE aspect of FREE WILL.
Specifically you wrote:

our choices are free from any predetermination by God and that human nature does not override our ability to respond to the gospel when the truth is shown to us.

Although the main aspect of your proposed FREEDOM is the our choice is UNCAUSED by God, you don't say whether our decision is determined or partially determined by:
Our parents (if our FREE WILL is not partly determined by our parents then you need to explain the data showing a correlation between a person's believes and that of their parents.)
Faith cometh by hearing .... your going to have to explain how either people can save themselves without hearing of Christ (that's the usual explanation I get from people supporting your idea of Free Will using Romans 1 somehow ... or explain with proof that God speaks to everyone such that they can come to belief in Him...which presents a contradiction of your definition of Free Will definition that says "God does not determine our choice" (maybe God just explains the possibility and even though He loves everyone He won't try to convince us which contradicts your definition of God's love (favor) of everyone)
Statistical Odds ... explain why coming to faith is not a 50/50 deals. If you believe in Libertarian Free Will then logic dictates that there is no determining factor as to whether one believes salvifically, yet so few do which is a contraction.
1 Corinthians 1:26-30 ... you're going to have to explain why the bible says people of certain groupings are more likely to have salvific faith giving your propose people's decision are not influenced by external stimuli (or say some external things partially determine of Free Will decision)

I think you also need to explain Free Will from the aspect of what things we are able to apply Free Will too. Is it only whether to believe salvifically or not ... or does it apply to the ability to choose a Depraved Nature or what other things.

 

[fastfredy0]

@FutureAndAHope

more to consider ...
Libertarian Definition

Libertarian Free Will is the ability to make choices without any prior prejudice, inclination, or disposition.

On the surface this is very appealing. There are no elements of coercion, either internal or external, to be found in it. Below the surface, however, lurk two serious problems: one moral and the other rational.

On the one hand, if we make our choices strictly from a neutral posture, with no prior inclination, then we make choices for no reason. If we have no reason for our choices, if our choices are utterly spontaneous, then our choices have no moral significance. If a choice just happens,--it just pops out, with no rhyme or reason for it—then it cannot be judged good or bad. When God evaluates our choices, he is concerned about our motives. (consider Genesis 50:20)

The second problem this popular view faces is not so much moral as it is rational. If there is no prior inclination, desire, or bent, no prior motivation or reason for a choice, how can a choice even be made? If the will is totally neutral, why would it choose the right or the left? If is something like the problem encountered by Alice in Wonderland when she came to a fork in the road. She did not know which way to turn. She saw the grinning Cheshire cat in the tree. She asked the cat, “Which way should I turn?” The cat replied, “Where are you going?” Alice , “I don’t know.”. “Then,” replied the Cheshire cat, “it doesn’t matter.”

Consider Alice’s dilemma. Actually she had four options from which to choose. She could have taken the left fork or the right fork. She also could have chosen to return the way she had come. Or she could have stood fixed at the spot of indecision until she died there. For her to take a step in any direction, she would need some motivation or inclination to do so. Without any motivation, any prior inclination, her only real option would be to stand there and perish.

Therefore, one must reject the neutral-will (free) theory because it is irrational.

The neutral view of free will is impossible. It involves choice without desire. That is like having an effect without a cause.

It is something from nothing, which is irrational. The Bible makes it clear that we choose out of our desires. A wicked desire produces wicked choices and wicked actions. A godly desire produces godly deeds. Jesus spoke in terms of corrupt trees producing corrupt fruit. A fig tree does not yield apples and an apple tree produces no figs. So righteous choices and evil desires produce evil choices. R.C. Sproul Chosen by God https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/chosen-by-god/what-is-free-will

 

[fastfredy0]

@FutureAndAHope
more to consider

According to libertarians, the power of contrary choice means that it is always within the ability of the human will to believe or reject the gospel. If we have the natural capacity to believe or reject the gospel freely (in the libertarian sense) why is there the need for the Holy Spirit in salvation at all, especially when the gospel is preached? If you ask a libertarian whether he could come to faith in Christ apart from any work of the Spirit, like all Christians, they must answer ‘no’. In other words, even to a libertarian, it is not “within the [natural moral] ability of the human will to believe or reject the gospel.”

Causeless Choice: John 3:19 says that those who reject the gospel do so because the love darkness and hate the light. A libertarian, on the other hand, to be consistent, must assert that one rejected Christ, not necessarily because he hated him, or on the other hand did not chose Him because he had affection for Him, but rather only because he chose to, which is contrary to everything we know of Scripture. We all know that the will ultimately chooses from the desires and affections of the person. Quoting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for the error of choosing without intent by saying, “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.” This reveals that it is impossible to honor Jesus with a faith that does not also honor Him from the heart. This is not very different from the kind of faith libertarians are describing.

The Belief in Libertarian Free Will Destroys Moral Responsibility: Consider the opposite that if criminals just chose to commit a crime but had no intent or motives for it at all then the lawyer would be forced to plead insanity for his client before the court. If the choice to commit a crime were not based and caused ultimately on a reason, desire or motive then he would have to be absolved from guilt because he would not be responsible for it. If one chose to murder someone simply because he chose to it would be a sign of sickness not responsibility. Libertarian free will, therefore, destroys responsibility. Moral responsibility exists, not in spite of, but because our choices have reasons, motives, intent. Only the determinist, therefore, upholds moral responsibility. Can we be held responsible for doing something we do not want to do?

Scripture Incompatible with Libertarian Free Will: There is simply no passage in Scripture where our wills are seen to be independent of God’s plan and our desires (libertarian freedom). The position is a philosophical construct. A failure to demonstrate a biblical basis for this belief again means that libertarian should be abandoned. In fact the Scripture shows just the opposite. God clearly says that it was He who foreordained the crucifixion but he also holds those who did it responsible (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). Judas’ betrayal was said to be according to Scripture (Acts 1:16; John 17:12), but God does not hold him any less responsible for it.

There will be no libertarian freedom on the new earth because we will be compelled to choose good because that is what we will want by nature. Libertarians often call anyone’s life where we cannot chose otherwise either robotic or one where we cannot be held responsible for our choices. If true then this would have to apply to God and our future glory as well. Is God a robot because He cannot choose to be unholy?

The Libertarian makes his philosophy of the will central to his interpretation while compatibilists and hard determinists make the covenant grace of God in Christ central. To make libertarian free will the philosophical glasses through which one looks at the whole of Scripture (when the Text says nothing about such a belief) is a radical departure from honest biblical interpretation, by any standard. But the bias is so ingrained, it appears, that libertarian free will is simply accepted by many because they say it is 'obvious'. But our preference or feeling is not the basis of how we determine Scriptural truth, especially in such critical matters.

There is nothing in Arminian theology to prevent God from only creating those whom he foreknows would respond to the gospel. Since this obviously is not the case, where does that leave the love of God as defined by the Arminian and set in defamatory contrast to Calvinism? In the end God knows everything (is omniscient) and therefore, even in the libertarian scheme, prior to even creating the universe God knows the choices all persons will make before creating them, so why did He go ahead and create them?

Libertarianism dismantles the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace alone. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ purchased in our redemption, to the libertarian, is never sufficient in itself. This grace is conditional and only when faith is contributed to the mix is it considered sufficient. Faith is seen as something that arises separately from Christ’s work rather than as a result of it. So to a libertarian, we could not properly thank God for our faith since it is the only thing that is alone self-generated. While all men have grace, so they say, grace is not what makes men to differ from one another. If something other than grace sets apart the elect from the non-elect then it is not grace alone (or Jesus alone) that saves. John W. Hendryx

 

[Mr GLee]

True love would give the same chance to all people, but if they turn out wicked then the God who can not look upon wickedness comes into play. God does not pervert justice.

I would offer. .

Satan the god of this dying world gave mankind a chance a roll of the dice .Look at my perfect seven come eleven beauty. You will not surely die. In effect saying. Why believe take a chance in a unseen eternal God . . . . therefore the letter of the law "death" thou shall not or you are already dying never to rise to new spirit life

Satan, legion offered all the kingdoms of this world and all the glory if Jesus would take a chance roll the dice and believe his lying wonder. . as if it was some sort of what the world calls "out of the body experience." lying spirits coming in

The Holy Father gave Jesus his apostle words to rebuke the lying spirit as the god of this world. Three times, three to denote the end of a matter. The Faithful Father spoke as it (representing Faith the unseen things of God) is written again and again as it is written three times struck him out never saw the faith ball coming . .Back to the bottomless dug out> LOL

I would think God does not give chances he does give salvation. Faithfully creating new born again creatures as sons of God

It would seem the living word of God "the sure thing of God" takes away chances of dying mankind.

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

It would seem of those below they tasted the surety of the living word but decided to spin the wheel again and again ,That would be a sign to the world that one promised demonstration is not enough to please the gamblers.

Hebrew 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

 

[Josheb]

Hi all,

As a believer in free will, I am writing a book on the case for free will (compared to Calvinism)................

How do you define the phrase "free will"?

 

[Josheb]

As a believer in free will, I am writing a book on the case for free will (compared to Calvinism).

Given the conversation you and I have been having over in the "Is God responsible for Man's sin" thread where the posts show a serious lack of knowledge and understanding regarding Calvinism, how is it you presume to write about something not correctly understood?

 

[Josheb]

Free will is the ability to respond to God's call and word. To choose to follow God or not.

What did Calvin teach about the human ability to respond to God's call and the human ability to respond to God's word, to choose to follow God or not?

What did Augustine teach?
What did Luther teach?
What did Arminius teach?

If you know then please post brief, succinct answers to each of those questions. All four of those questions can be answered in one to four sentences.

 

[Josheb]

If you have time have a read.

Why? Is the book open for discussion, and will you answer questions about the book and address comments and criticisms? If any one point of the book proves to be incorrect, will you change the book accordingly? How about if there prove to be multiple areas where the book should be amended or corrected; what then?

 

[Josheb]

@FutureAndAHope,

That book states, "No matter the will of man, no matter his effort or deeds, he will neither be saved nor damned based upon them, but rather assigned a destiny by God, he will be forced to accept his fate."

Do you believe a person can work his or her way to salvation?

 

[Josheb]

@FutureAndAHope,

That book states, "John Calvin stated it the following way in his work The Institutes of the Christian Religion: he [God] arranges all things by his sovereign counsel, in such a way that individuals are born, who are doomed from the womb to certain death, and are to glorify him by their destruction." Your book does not provide the context in which or explanation for that quote.


Do you know why Calvin wrote that?

Do you think it important to inform your readers how Calvin arrived at that position?

Do you think it acceptable to tell others that's what Calvin taught without also providing the context and explanation?

Is this book for sale, or do you intend to publish it for sale?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

The second problem this popular view faces is not so much moral as it is rational. If there is no prior inclination, desire, or bent, no prior motivation or reason for a choice, how can a choice even be made? If the will is totally neutral, why would it choose the right or the left? If is something like the problem encountered by Alice in Wonderland when she came to a fork in the road. She did not know which way to turn. She saw the grinning Cheshire cat in the tree. She asked the cat, “Which way should I turn?” The cat replied, “Where are you going?” Alice , “I don’t know.”. “Then,” replied the Cheshire cat, “it doesn’t matter.”

Rather than the Calvinistic idea that man responds according to a given nature. I see that we build a nature over time.

Rom 2:6-8 who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS": eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

We have choices to make throughout life, it is never just one choice. Through these choices, we build a nature, one leaning toward sin, or one willing to respond to God and our conscience.

Ultimately the nature we build in response to God, and His word, determines our outcome.

John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

This is not to say we are righteous of ourselves, but rather how do we respond to the goodness of God when it is displayed to us.