Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Doesn't this seem like a contradiction? | Rev 13:8 | Morant61 | 88539 | ||
Greetings John! You are very quick to point out when others make what you see as distortions of Calvinism. Now, my friend, you are distorting what Arminians believe, and most certainly you are distorting what I have explained many times on this forum. You wrote: “I see how an arminian would be perplexed. He believes that there still remains a remnant of good in every man. He must believe so in order to explain man's (supposed) ability to consider the offer of the gospel, and to make a decision for Christ out of a sincere desire springing out of a heart of stone.” When have I ever made the argument that there was some ‘good’ left in a fallen and unregenerate man? As Calvinist’s do, I also believe that fallen man can only respond to the Gospel after God has first drawn them by His grace. The only point we differ on is on the extent of the call. I believe that John 12:32 is the basis upon which a fallen and unregenerate man can respond to God’s grace, not because there must be some ‘good’ left in him. I fully believe in the depravity of man. I just don’t believe, as it seems most Calvinists do, that being ‘spiritually dead’ means that a person is now just a lump of inanimate flesh incapable of making choices or thinking anymore! :-) These ‘dead’ people actually do a lot of moving around! ;-) As far as the original point of my post is concerned, everything you just wrote is pure speculation since Scripture nowhere describes ‘how’ God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. If I missed that particular verse somewhere, please let me know the chapter and verse! :-) So, rather than speculate concerning the ‘how’, I simply prefer to leave it as Scripture says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh hardened his own heart as well. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88549 | ||
Dear Tim, It ssems as if both of us are doing an injustice to one anothers doctrines. I apologize, if indeed, I have mis-represented the arminian position on free-will. I simply assumed that, if a unregenerate person was capable of understanding and recieving the gospel, that the desire to do so must, of a necessity, spring from his heart. If we are truly in agreement regarding the depraved condition of the natural man (dead in sin and a mind that is in enmity against God), where do you say the desire for Christ comes from? John |
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3 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | tj57h@cs.com | 88552 | ||
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. HEARING THE GOSPEL, the faith comes from the Spirit and desire is felt in the heart, belief is conceived and confession is made. Then one is born again. Rom 10: 8-10. Love, Tim Hines |
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4 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88610 | ||
Dear Tim H., Thanks for your input into this important doctrine! The more we learn about our Lord, the more we love and adore Him. I do have a question, if you don't mind. You said " HEARING THE GOSPEL, the faith comes from the Spirit and desire is felt in the heart, belief is conceived and confession is made. Then one is born again." My question is...why do some "feel" this desire, but others (most) don't? God Bless, John |
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5 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | tj57h@cs.com | 88632 | ||
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. As the Gospel is proclaimed all men are drawn, I believe in their minds they hear the truth, and at the same time the enemy is telling them it is a lie, or some excuse, like people will laugh at you or what will your mother think. And they do not give into the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Anytime I have been a similar situation of responding to God through a message similar thoughts come into my mind that try to get me to not respond to the Spirit. Have you had similar thoughts when responding to a particular ministry call, like healing or a call to preach? I think caring what other people might think is a big one. I personally do not care what people thing I care what our Father thinks more than people. Did I answer your question? Love, Tim Hines |
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6 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | John Reformed | 88686 | ||
Dear Tim H. I'm sorry, but, No...you did not answer my question. You did explain that some people are influenced by worldly concerns (ridicule or family disaproval, etc.). But some folks become willing to endure whatever the world, the flesh and the Devil throw at them for the love of Christ. In other words, only those who are blessed with such a desire for Christ that it subdues their desire for the world, choose to flee to Him for salvation. Where does this overwhelming desire for Christ come from, and, if Jesus draws all men, why is it that not all who are drawn have this "saving" desire? Are those who resist the world stronger or wiser or more decent than those who reject the gospel call? God Bless, John |
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7 | Can the "natural man" desire Christ? | Rev 13:8 | tj57h@cs.com | 88692 | ||
Jesus does draw all men, when the Spirit draws, they have to make a decision to give in and humble themselves to the Lord, if they do not they are not born again. The desire is there they just choose to rebel against God and choose their judgment. It must be because they LOVE their sin more than God, I believe this following scripture is saying that God was revealed to them and they rejected him, as in the example we have been talking about: Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain F8 God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Love Tim Hines |
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