Bible Study Free will

[Cygnus]

That's my whole point.

Problem being..you presented it as if it was my point...what I believe.

The Bible most certainly does NOT say that God made them incapable.
That WOULD mean that God causes man to sin and then punishes them for sinning.
That would make God a very big jerk. I don't think that's accurate.

What you are saying above is that if you fell in to a hole you were incabable of getting out of..it's Gods fault? Seriously?

That idea is absurd! But that seems to be the strain of pop Calvinism I see bandied about in many Christian forums.
They tell me that God is completely sovereign and man has no free will to choose anything. (Like repenting and seeking God)

...there is none understanding; there is none seeking after God. Romans 3:11 ...you were saying something about seeking?

They insist that a mankind is totally depraved and can do nothing good. (And even if he does something good, it's not really good.)
They assure me that God picks a few people (apparently at random) and reprograms them to do good and to love him. (The few who are saved from damnation have no part in the process, they just do as they are programmed to do.)
I am assured that God throws the rest of the un-re-programmed (unregenerate) people into hell and where He "righteously" burns them for all eternity because they sinned just like He forced them to do and they deserve it.
(If this "god" were in a movie, Gary Busey would play him.)

You don't realize just how far mankind fell. Do you?

Does THAT sound to you like the God of the Bible who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to be horribly brutalized and murdered in the most hideous manner possible so that all mankind could be freed from the grave and the gates of paradise be flung open to whoever would believe?

You never did tell me why some don't believe.

But, back to the point. I now have to believe that you think mankind doesn't deserve justice. That everyone gets a get out of jail free card if they were lucky enough to hear a good preacher....please correct me if I am wrong.

Doesn't sound like the God of the Bible to me either.

The God I discern in scripture would do, has done and continues to do everything possible to make eternal life to anyone who will receive it because He loves mankind and wants intimate communion with all of us.

iakov the fool

It sounds like you wern't dead in your sins an trespasses...and had the ability to choose Jesus. Good for you.

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[th1b.taylor]

You're argument still fails to answer the question....why would a person not "choose" Jesus? I would say the answer is because of their life experiences. Some where life convinced them they don't need Jesus. What does this mean? It means your choice of receiving Jesus is based upon life's happenstance. You may have been fortunate enough to hear a great preacher..while another didn't. Does it seem right that God would save you just because you got lucky and someone else didn't? Do you honestly think your salvation is based upon the filter you developed during life?

Concerning going to the lake of fire....do we not ALL deserve the lake of fire?

I sought to answer, you seek to debate!

 

[reba]

There are two major ongoing battles in the Christristian world..
OSAS Non OSAS
and the Calvin V. Arminian
Dont bother to jump on my labels or titles. We really do understand them...
Both sides of these battles can find support in the Scriptures..
Those Scripture are found in all the thread about these topics .
My simple mind and my God given faith tells me with that much evidence there must be a balance of the two ideals..


Psa_40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
So God finds us...
Jesus said
Luk_13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
He tells us to repent He does not repent for us .

The above is just one example of the balance i see..

Personally having friends and family perched on both sides of both battles...I see in them God meeting us within our needs ..
What a wonderful God we serve He is awesome

 

[th1b.taylor]

There are two major ongoing battles in the Christristian world..
OSAS Non OSAS
and the Calvin V. Arminian
Dont bother to jump on my labels or titles. We really do understand them...
Both sides of these battles can find support in the Scriptures..
Those Scripture are found in all the thread about these topics .
My simple mind and my God given faith tells me with that much evidence there must be a balance of the two ideals..


Psa_40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
So God finds us...
Jesus said
Luk_13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
He tells us to repent He does not repent for us .

The above is just one example of the balance i see..

Personally having friends and family perched on both sides of both battles...I see in them God meeting us within our needs ..
What a wonderful God we serve He is awesome

That is my reasoning, the reasoning I feel led by the Holy Spirit t oarrive at. And that is the reason I seek to discuss and never to debate either side. As far as Salvation goes (Matt. 28:18-209) and oujr duty is to lead folks to the foot of the cross and (pay attention to thine own self, Bill Taylor) and to avoid petty arguments that distract and lead none to the foot of the cross.

 

[Jim Parker]

What you are saying above is that if you fell in to a hole you were incabable of getting out of..it's Gods fault? Seriously?

I give up.