Theodicy

there is NO free will apart though from that God has, as he alone can have such!

mankind has the "free will" to decide, but that will is bound by the Will of God, and also the fact that we cannot decide some things, due to being "bound up" in a sinful state and nature!

 

How do you not see how illogical this is? If it is "bound", it cannot be "free".

 

From your incomplete list of qualities which the rejector lacks.

Here you say then one's experiences will develop the degree of one's humility. So humility is the quality that is lacking in the one who rejects Christ. Is that what you're saying?

So there is no deficiency? All things are equal and it's a mystery why one refuses and the other accepts? Is that what you're saying?

 

Faith is what they lack.

Humility (or lack thereof) may be one of the reasons they have chosen not to believe what has been clearly made known.

The deficiency I referred to was their corruptibility....otherwise known as "the ability to choose otherwise." For example, Adam was able to choose right, but he was also "corruptible," or able to choose otherwise. To deny this basic premise is to deny any rational or reasonable basis for moral accountability.

 

So, one has no faith, until he hears the preachers, right?

 

That is the very point! NO free will in absolute sense apart from God...

We have free will to do as we will, its just some thing cannot will to due since we are sinners...

Incuding coming to Christ "of our own violation"

 

isn't faith part of the gift of God towards His elect though "in Christ?"

 

...then it is not free will by the very definitions of "free" and "bound", and you need to employ anther word.

 

NONE apart from God even have it!

 

...then we are not free to reject Him (which your camp states the reprobate do)

You can't have it both ways.

 

No, you are indeed 'free" to choose to reject jesus, its just that being in a spiritually deprained, that would be all that you could be free to chose to do!

 

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
This is one of my biggest problems I have with the idea of calvinism. It seems there are several english words that do not mean what they really mean.

 

The terms and words we use HAVE to be used per the Bible usuage though!

For example, Death means either physical/spiritual, depending upon the context!

Or ALL can refer to ALL, or the elect, depending on the context again!

 

JF,

I agree, but it is also determined by "who" is reading the context. NNE is unbiased. Period. Calvinists are biased, Non Calvinists are biased. One simply has to decide for themselves which side of the creek to fish from.

 

that is true!

just saying that ALL of us tend to "read" the Bible based upon our Theological "mental gridlock!"

 

JF, has anyone ever told you that you are supposed to use exclamation points sparingly?

just saying!!!!!!!!!!!

 

God said men have their "own voluntary will" in Lev 1:3.

Do you deny that?

And try answering the question, not asking another question.

Do you deny that God said men have their own voluntary will?

 

Having a big problem with the idea of Calvinism because definitions ("english words that do not mean what they really mean") don't seem to match the theological truths it expounds is an unfortunate position to take, and is a copout of convenience.

Most who state this, or hold your position haven't truly studied it out, and resort to frivolous reason to dismiss it.

Irresisitible Grace is one of the biggest teachings of "Calvinism" that most haven't studied out, and yet these same fight against "it".

 

NOT in an absolute sense, for ONLY God has that, as His will is supreme and final...

Humans have will to decide things, just restricted/limited by sin in what can decide to do!