Good mornin' Wondering ... 44F in Texas, but sun is coming out
When we bring "book theology" into our discussion and wander from the bible, we just complicate things.
Well, if one wanders away from truth it is a bad thing no matter what the source. On the other side of the coin, God gave some the gift of teaching, so I assume these teachers (agreed, not all teachers) are to our benefit. You yourself have never truly read the bible without the aid of teachers, for it is written in Greek, Arimaic (sp?) and Hebrew and comes from left over partial copies of the original text that scholars have put together. Are there pitfalls?, yes ... are there benefits, yes.
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Your "official" definition of Libertarian Free Will that I asked for:
Biblically it means to have the ability to make a choice with no coercion or outside force.
One is able to make a decision between two moral choices,,,but he could have made the other choice just as freely.
Your subsequent redefinition of Libertarian Free Will
Libertarian free will does have outside forces INFLUENCING a decision. I've said several times that our experiences/moral values/Christianity, and more, will influence a choice. But we are not coerced by any outside agent --- God.
So, now I am confused. There is a contradiction. Libertarian Free Will either affected by OUTSIDE FORCES, or it is no affected by outside sources. Not sure what to do as your original definition of "Libertarian Free Will" is the foundation of the discussion. (Two cannot walk together unless they are agreed ... so to speak) Let's go with newest definition that outside forces influence your decision but you start with an empty slate. So you look at the input (influence) and can decide to go left, or right, or not move or decide not to decide depending on the input.
Aside: This contradicts IMO the sin nature of man that says: Romans 3:10; John 3:20; Romans 7:18; Romans 8:7, etc. etc., but maybe you will show me how you get over this hurdle (possibly the prevenient grace doctrine)
If God determines everything (which a true Calvinist believese) then God also determines a choice you make.
Agreed, from a Calvinist perspective God determines what I do by influencing me so I freely do it in concurrence with Him.
Please state the verses that make you believe we are coerced into a decision.
I don't see any in the bible. I could have missed it.
Coercion: use of force or
intimidation to obtain compliance. I consider the threat of hell to be
intimidating (Frightening, overawing, or threatening). I can give Bible verse to substantiate threat of hell, but I think you agree that we are threatened with hell if we don't believe salvifically. (maybe we have a semantic problem?)
It's only the reformed that have wandered from the Christianity that existed after Jesus died and through the ages.
Yes, I do mean wandered.
Smiles ... yes, I know that every place where I disagree with you that you believe I have "wandered from the truth". The inference has not been missed. *smiles* We all wander from the truth to some degree, we just don't know where.
Where is the emperical evidence that something is tipping the scales?
The scale is an analogy. One one side is the people who believe and on the other side are those that don't believe. Since more don't believe the scale tips.
Since, Libertarian Free Will decides to believe/disbelieve as determined by a starting point of neutrality (I could just as easily do "X" or "Y"); then to this is added outside influences (Wondering quote: "
Libertarian free will does have outside forces INFLUENCING a decision") ... those outside forces must be the determining factor. Since a majority do not believe one concludes that the "outside forces" are not equally applied to people. For example, those brought up in Christian home more likely to believe due to influence of parents ... those who never hear THE WORD less likely to believe)
We on the Reformed side (the guys that have wandered from truth from your perspective) have a similar viewpoint except we don't think everything starts from a position of neutrality. We believe NO ONE SEEK GOD; that our sin nature ensures all go to hell unless there is an outside influence. But we agree on the point "
free will does have outside forces INFLUENCING a decision". We believe God choices whom to influence and 100% of those so influenced believe; thus Christ's death is not in vain for He died only for those who will believe.
So, from my viewpoint God ensures everyone He chooses is saved and, IMO, you believe God gives everyone a 5% chance of believing as His influence is not efficacious. (5% is my guess in the dark ... no pun intended ... of how many have salvific faith excluding 'age of accountability)
Well, I guess you are not going to join us with those who have wandered from the truth. *just teasing in fun way* I can tell you have a love for God, that's what counts most.
Thanks for taking time to answer my questions. I see you have one more question ... I will answer on a subsequent post.