Unable to Believe the “Foolish” Gospel

[Dougcho]

Because of what is clearly stated in the NT …
unredeemed man is NOT able to believe in Jesus and
the “foolish” Gospel … due to a multitude of reasons!
(The Gospel is “foolishness” to those who are perishing, 1 Cor. 1:18)

Here are some of the best NT passages which testify to this:

Inherited sin nature ● Romans 3:9-18,5:12; Galatians 3:22

Sin nature against God ● Romans 8:7

Enemy of God ● Colossians 1:21

Spiritually blind ● 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Live in an evil world ● Galatians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:4

Slaves of/to sin ● John 8:34; Romans 6:6

In Spiritual darkness ● John 8:12,12:46; Acts 26:18

Spiritually dead ● Ephesians 2:1,2:5; Colossians 2:13

See Gospel as foolishness ● 1 Corinthians 1:18

Problems, persecution,
worries, lure of wealth ● Matthew 13:21-22

The spiritual enemy, Satan ● John 10:10; Ephesians 2:2,6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8

Satan’s army is against us ● Ephesians 2:2

Under Satan’s power & control ● Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19

Deceived by Satan ● Revelation 12:9

Held captive by Satan ● 2 Timothy 2:26

Robbed of initial faith ● Matthew 13:19

Do you really think that people in this hopeless condition are
going to be able to choose to believe in Jesus and the Gospel?

“And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?'
But He (Jesus) said, ‘The things which are impossible with men
are possible with God.’ ” (Luke 18:26-27)

 

[Who Me]

Are you trying to sneak calvinistic teaching into the forum, or start a debate on how to explain the gospel?

 

[Dougcho]

Are you trying to sneak calvinistic teaching into the forum, or start a debate on how to explain the gospel?

Who me?

 

[Hopeful 2]

Because of what is clearly stated in the NT …
unredeemed man is NOT able to believe in Jesus and
the “foolish” Gospel … due to a multitude of reasons!
(The Gospel is “foolishness” to those who are perishing, 1 Cor. 1:18)

Here are some of the best NT passages which testify to this:

Inherited sin nature ● Romans 3:9-18,5:12; Galatians 3:22

Sin nature against God ● Romans 8:7

Enemy of God ● Colossians 1:21

Spiritually blind ● 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Live in an evil world ● Galatians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:4

Slaves of/to sin ● John 8:34; Romans 6:6

In Spiritual darkness ● John 8:12,12:46; Acts 26:18

Spiritually dead ● Ephesians 2:1,2:5; Colossians 2:13

See Gospel as foolishness ● 1 Corinthians 1:18

Problems, persecution,
worries, lure of wealth ● Matthew 13:21-22

The spiritual enemy, Satan ● John 10:10; Ephesians 2:2,6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8

Satan’s army is against us ● Ephesians 2:2

Under Satan’s power & control ● Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19

Deceived by Satan ● Revelation 12:9

Held captive by Satan ● 2 Timothy 2:26

Robbed of initial faith ● Matthew 13:19

Do you really think that people in this hopeless condition are
going to be able to choose to believe in Jesus and the Gospel?

“And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?'
But He (Jesus) said, ‘The things which are impossible with men
are possible with God.’ ” (Luke 18:26-27)

If the unredeemed cannot believe the gospel, there is no point in evangelizing, or preaching.
I'ld hate to think Paul was just wasting his time in all the sites he visited.
But...wasn't Paul unredeemed when he heard the gospel ?
Or are you saying he never believed what he taught ?

You make things confusing.

 

[Dougcho]

Sorry for the confusion ... it's not my intention.
Before the foundation of the world, God decided to
pour out His grace (unmerited favor) on some of humanity.
Yes, He did have His reasons for doing so!
Since all humans were totally unable to choose (for themselves)
to believe in Jesus and the Gospel (as per reasons in the OP),
God gave His "elect-chosen-called" the necessary faith
to believe in Jesus and the Gospel.

 

[electedbyHim]

Are you trying to sneak calvinistic teaching into the forum, or start a debate on how to explain the gospel?

What OP posted is Biblical, you can call it Calvinism, but it was in the Bible before Calvin was even born.

 

[Hopeful 2]

Sorry for the confusion ... it's not my intention.
Before the foundation of the world, God decided to
pour out His grace (unmerited favor) on some of humanity.

Can you cite the "some of humanity" verses you are referring to ?

Yes, He did have His reasons for doing so!
Since all humans were totally unable to choose (for themselves)
to believe in Jesus and the Gospel (as per reasons in the OP),
God gave His "elect-chosen-called" the necessary faith
to believe in Jesus and the Gospel.

Personally, I craved the freedom from sin that God offered, and decided to follow that narrow path.
I "counted the cost" before "building", and followed the Shepherd of my soul.
It is a choice that some men make.

 

[for_his_glory]

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Dougcho]

Can you cite the "some of humanity" verses you are referring to ?

Personally, I craved the freedom from sin that God offered, and decided to follow that narrow path.
I "counted the cost" before "building", and followed the Shepherd of my soul.
It is a choice that some men make.

There are several in John 6 ...
“All that the Father gives Me (Jesus) will come to Me ...", etc.

Do you believe the spirit world
(God and His angels ... Satan and his demons)
can put thoughts in your mind?
If so, then why couldn't God put your cravings above in your mind?
Did you count the cost before reading the Gospels?

 

[Fish153]

Because of what is clearly stated in the NT …
unredeemed man is NOT able to believe in Jesus and
the “foolish” Gospel … due to a multitude of reasons!
(The Gospel is “foolishness” to those who are perishing, 1 Cor. 1:18)

Here are some of the best NT passages which testify to this:

Inherited sin nature ● Romans 3:9-18,5:12; Galatians 3:22

Sin nature against God ● Romans 8:7

Enemy of God ● Colossians 1:21

Spiritually blind ● 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Live in an evil world ● Galatians 1:4; 2 Peter 1:4

Slaves of/to sin ● John 8:34; Romans 6:6

In Spiritual darkness ● John 8:12,12:46; Acts 26:18

Spiritually dead ● Ephesians 2:1,2:5; Colossians 2:13

See Gospel as foolishness ● 1 Corinthians 1:18

Problems, persecution,
worries, lure of wealth ● Matthew 13:21-22

The spiritual enemy, Satan ● John 10:10; Ephesians 2:2,6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8

Satan’s army is against us ● Ephesians 2:2

Under Satan’s power & control ● Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19

Deceived by Satan ● Revelation 12:9

Held captive by Satan ● 2 Timothy 2:26

Robbed of initial faith ● Matthew 13:19

Do you really think that people in this hopeless condition are
going to be able to choose to believe in Jesus and the Gospel?

“And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?'
But He (Jesus) said, ‘The things which are impossible with men
are possible with God.’ ” (Luke 18:26-27)

DougCho--- a little off topic here, but you brought up Luke 18. Peter and the disciples are astonished when Jesus says it is almost impossible for rich people to be saved. Jesus says "The things which are impossible with men are possible to God". What happens in the very next chapter of Luke? A rich man is saved!! Have you ever noticed that?

"A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was WEALTHY." (Luke 19: 2) He is up in a tree and Jesus calls him down and says that he must eat at his home. The people began to murmur. But Zaccheus has been changed already and promises to give half of his income to the poor! "Jesus said to him, “Today SALVATION has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

I have always found that to be so amazing and comforting. Jesus says it's virtually impossible for a rich man to be saved---then he literally saves a rich man in the next chapter!!! Nothing is impossible with God. Hallelujah!!

 

[follower]

“And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?'
But He (Jesus) said, ‘The things which are impossible with men
are possible with God.’ ” (Luke 18:26-27)

I've seen or read and heard that the word "saved" is same as "healed".

What men cannot (and willfully will not) heal, God is well able to heal.

 

[follower]

What OP posted is Biblical, you can call it Calvinism, but it was in the Bible before Calvin was even born.

Was Calvin saved himself ? From what I've read on this and other forums about Calvin, maybe, maybe not; but certainly do not be taught by any calvanite. Too many errors, too much quicksand - no sure foundation !

 

[Hopeful 2]

There are several in John 6 ...
“All that the Father gives Me (Jesus) will come to Me ...", etc.

If men seek God, they will find Jesus.

Do you believe the spirit world (God and His angels ... Satan and his demons) can put thoughts in your mind?

Certainly.

If so, then why couldn't God put your cravings above in your mind?
Did you count the cost before reading the Gospels?

Cravings can be rejected as easily as the good news, or temptations, can be rejected.
I crave pie, but I haven't had a piece of pie in a very long time.
I counted the cost of adhering to the doctrines of Jesus and His disciples, before choosing to follow my Shepherd.

 

[electedbyHim]

Was Calvin saved himself ? From what I've read on this and other forums about Calvin, maybe, maybe not; but certainly do not be taught by any calvanite. Too many errors, too much quicksand - no sure foundation !

Show the errors, the quicksand and no foundation.

 

[Dougcho]

I counted the cost of adhering to the doctrines of Jesus and His disciples, before choosing to follow my Shepherd.

So, it was after reading Jesus say it was necessary.

 

[Hopeful 2]

So, it was after reading Jesus said it was necessary.

Yes.
He gave me the choices of how to live, and I took the one most profitable.
Thank be to God !

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

If the unredeemed cannot believe the gospel, there is no point in evangelizing, or preaching.
I'ld hate to think Paul was just wasting his time in all the sites he visited.
But...wasn't Paul unredeemed when he heard the gospel ?
Or are you saying he never believed what he taught ?

You make things confusing.

However, the Holy Spirit softens the unredeemed people's hearts to be open to the gospel, as Jesus' vision did for Paul (John 3--being "born again" or "from above").

 

[Hopeful 2]

However, the Holy Spirit softens the unredeemed people's hearts to be open to the gospel, as Jesus' vision did for Paul (John 3--being "born again" or "from above").

I see nothing in scripture to validate that idea.
I looked in BibleGateway.com for the words 'soften', with 'heart', and came up with nothing.
Your POV makes it look like it will be God's fault that the "unsoftened" will perish.

 

[Who Me]

.

Was Calvin saved himself ? From what I've read on this and other forums about Calvin, maybe, maybe not; but certainly do not be taught by any calvanite. Too many errors, too much quicksand - no sure foundation !

May I suggest that rather than learn from forum posts you either read books about Calvin and what he taught or look at Web sites about him.

My comment about him and what he taught is.

If he and Calvin's is not Christian then what we call Christianity today is also not Christian.
Look at what the reformers of England and Scotland believed, look at what the pilgrim Fathers believed.
Most of them followed Calvin.

Try Jonathan Edwards, David Brainard, William Carie, Hudson Taylor to name a few very influential Calvinists.

 

[follower]

May I suggest that rather than learn from forum posts you either read books about Calvin and what he taught or look at Web sites about him.

I never said I learned anything from the internet , especially not forum posts.
What ABBA revealed about the wolves in sheeps clothing is and was completely reliable and in harmony with all Scripture.