Subject: LEFT BEHIND? |
Bible Note: Dear Tim, "Arminians do not believe that regeneration depends upon the will of man. Arminians believe that atonement was made for all men on the cross. Thus, it is a finished act. The only role that man's will has to play in salvation is whether or not to accept or reject the gift of salvation." This appears to me to be a difference without a distinction. You say that the only role that man plays is acceptence or rejection of the gift of salvation. It is my understanding that Arminians believe that acceptence preceeds regeneration. If this is true, how then is regeneration not dependent on the will of man! The atonement makes regeneration possible. No atonement...no salvation, therefore no regeneration. Your 2nd point was: "I just wanted to point out that it does not say that those who do not have the Spirit of God can never have the Spirit of God. It only says that those who do not have the Spirit cannot understand God's wisdom." You are arguing a point I never made. My point is that unless the Holy Spirit regenerates a person, that person will not be able to appraise spiritual things. That being the case he will view the gospel as foolishness. It does not mean that they can never have the Spirit, only that until they do they will not understand or recieve spiritual things! You wrote: 'Received' is active in voice, not passive. Well. one can recieve a blow to the head without any activity on his part, can't he? You concluded with: "So, if prior to receiving the Holy Spirit, one cannot 'respond' to God's grace. How did the Corinthians receive God's Spirit? " I do not believe that regeneration requires any act on mans part prior to it's manifestation. As I stated elsewhere on this thread: Regeneration is the sole work of God. Man's response follows as he experieces the gifts of repentance and faith which accompany his new birth. This arguement would also make your final paragraph on the topic mute. Tim, I do enjoy discussing the Word with you and even though we do not see eye to eye, for me it's always a learning experience. I hope to address Romans in a later post. Your Brother John |