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NASB | Romans 5:6 ¶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 5:6 ¶ While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. |
Subject: Holy Spirit's power of Conviction |
Bible Note: Well, in your view of God, you show a lack of understanding of the Reformed position. Let me help: God knows everything possible, but that isn't to say that knowing everything possible means that nothing will go wrong. It still requires God's intervention to some extent. I know you probably believe this, so we disagree as far as the extent to which God intervenes, especially concerning man's supposed "free will." It isn't whether God MUST control everything; but whether he only sits back and steps in where necessary, or that nothing at all exists or happens without his causing it or allowing it. The biblical God is an extremely active God. Now it isn't a question whether he "gives" his creatures free will or not. He indeed did so, and Adam ruined that right quick for us all. Romans 5:12 makes that pretty clear to me. Romans 3:10-18 settles what our true nature is, and the repetition throughout Romans of the unregenerate being slaves to sin reinforces that idea. Therefore, we sold ourselves into sin by breaking our fellowship with God. Bondage and slavery are the exact opposite of freedom, and the human race got itself into that predicament, not God. As far as irresistible grace, the view that God brings man "kicking and screaming" to His side is not the Reformed one, either. Before God changes the elect, we ALL hate God. None seek him. Regeneration is not a process of negotiation or a tug of war, but rather an instantaneous rebirth, a bringing us to life out of spiritual death. God supernaturally changes our hearts so that we do desire him; God does not make us grudgingly accept him even though we would rather go to Hell than do so. Regeneration by necessity must logically precede faith. Does God only have mercy for some? You think that God is required to show mercy to all or none. What does Romans 9:15-18 tell us? Which reflects God's true character? A God "that allows some to be saved and some to be lost" is more of a description of the image of God YOU hold to. First of all, do you disagree that God allows some to be lost? If God did not allow it, it would not happen. People will spend an eternity in Hell, so God does allow some to be lost. Calvinists hold that God does not merely ALLOW men to be saved, but rather that God is the sole and efficient CAUSE of salvation, from start to finish (Romans 8:28-30). Paul addresses irresistible grace in Romans 9:19-23. He addresses unconditional election in Ephesians 1:4-11 and the mercy issue in Romans 9:5-18. Total depravity is Romans 3:10-18,23. Perseverence of the saints is John 6:35-65 and Romans 8:1-2,37-39 and Ephesians 1:13-14. Contrary to your statement, it is not up to man to decide which God is "greater," but rather we need to look to Scripture to see who God truly is. I again ask you to refute the apparently blatant declaration of election in Romans 9:5-23. If there is some alternate explanation that Paul makes room for, I would be more than happy to hear it. So far it has not been forthcoming. By the way, you are right about the preachers: it doesn't sound like election at all! But then again, they aren't Scripture any more than you or I are. --Joe! |