Subject: What is Free Will? |
Bible Note: -Joe! I agree with you on much of what you stated. I believe that is a misunderstanding of our part to try to convey to each other what we really mean doctrinally when we discuss theological issues. First, I am not an Arminian, although those of the Reformed faith accuse me of being so. I am an ex-Calvinist who after many years of careful study of God's word could no longer accept all the teachings of Calvinism, especially the teaching of Limited Atonement which I personally find to be unBibical. I simply prefer to be called a Christian ... a follower of Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord. I prefer not to be labeled a follower of mortal men like Calvin, Arminius, Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, etc. etc. I say this to help you better understand where I am coming from. I agree 100 percent with your following statements in your post. "man's inability and unwillingness to come to Christ unless persuaded to do so by the Holy Spirit. Those persuaded to do so will willingly embrace Him, and those not persuaded to do so will willingly reject Him. Our wills are constrained by our nature, and our sinful natures must be changed supernaturally" "We do have free will, and our depraved nature makes us want nothing but sin (Romans 3:10-18). Until God changes us, that is all we will ever want, and we are unable to want anything else" "Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our will, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel." ", it is God who enlightens our minds (not us), God who enables us to embrace Christ (not us), and God who renews our wills (which were previously contrained by our fallen, depraved natures), and God who persuades us to trust in Christ (we trust, but it is God who must persuade us to do so" Just so you know I am not in total disagreement with you. With the love of Christ zach† |