Subject: LEFT BEHIND? |
Bible Note: Hi Tim, I have a problem with your conclusion of 1 Cor 2:14. Paul is telling the saints at Corinth that the natural man (the one who has the spirit of the world) cannot understand or appraise spiritual things. The saints can because they have the mind of Christ. Your Conclusion was: "So, I would make the case that 1 Cor. 2:14 is not saying that an unregenerate person cannot be convicted or brought to repentance by the Holy Spirit, but that while they are unregenerate they cannot understand the Wisdom of God". In a salvific sense, to have the Spirit of God is to be regenerate! To have been born again...A new creature possesing the mind of Christ. This is why I contend that the act of regeneration is the work of the Spirit alone. Until one recieves the Spirit one cannot and willnot understand spiritual things. To say that regeneration depends upon the free will of the man is to say that some men are better or smarter or more spiritual than other men. Does God find faith in some but not in others? Of course not all are equally destitute of things pertaining unto salvation. Salvation is of the Lord! As to your side note: It seems to me to be an unwarrented imposition of one's tradition upon what is a plain teaching. I cannot accept your view on it. Rom 11:2 is not speaking of the nation of Israel but to the 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Those who He foreknew, His Elect. Your Brother, John |