Featured Monergism vs. Synergism

Why would Samuel Rutherford (a Presbyterian) say that the reprobate has exactly the same warrant to believe in Christ as do the elect?

 

You'll have to talk to Sam about that, but I suspect, if I know the semantics that Calvinists play, that he means that the reprobate have the same 'command' or 'call' to believe as the elect. Both of them are given a 'warrant' to repent and believe, but that ignores the fact that only one is granted the ability to willingly accept that warrant.

 

Spelling indeed!!! Good old Claude is probably turning over in his grave as we speak!

 

Parables are parables!

I believe Scripture states that at times the Children of God grieve the Holy Spirit. Is not reconciliation desirable at that time.

I hope that we are not to interpret that literally!

I have thought, and sometimes still do, that this is the more appropriate teaching of the parable. Others disagree. However, that interpretation raises the same question you raise above:

 

Obviously.... and you failed to answer the question I asked why?

Sure they do, so you believe the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son (of which the father said was dead but is now alive again) are representative of saved people who have grieved the spirit? So when you grieve the spirit do you die and need to return to God to be made alive again? Please expound.

How so? The lost coin and lost sheep, likewise could be speaking more generally of God's desire to bring in the Gentiles. This doesn't affect my prior application, but it does deny your speculation that this is really about backslidden believers who have grieved the Holy Spirit.

 

Yes they are but then all of Scripture is Great!

Consider John 6:29
No one who believes the Doctrines of Grace, is a Calvinist, or a Monergist would deny faith is an essential part of Salvation.

Consider Philippians 1:6

God the Father before the foundation of the world foreknew and chose a people to be His own[Ephesians 1:4].

God the Son agrees to humble Himself, take upon Himself the form of man, and die on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of those whom the Father has chosen to salvation so that none are lost [John 17; Philippians 2:6-10].

God the Holy Spirit agrees to apply the work of the Son to those chosen by God the Father by the regeneration and effectual calling of those whom God the Father has chosen unto salvation [John 6: 37, 44; Ephesians 2:1-10].

And then 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise

 

That tells you the hight of respect I have for the French....thankfully he composed beautiful music.

With that said....I take my family to "First Night" performances & when a symphony was playing Pachelbels relaxing masterpiece "Canon in D" my wife asked me who the composer was & I replied Pachelbel. So my son thinks I said Taco Bell (Wise Guy).

Could be worse...could be a cello player having to play the movement.....here is a rant on that subject matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

 

So what?!?

 

indeed... :wavey:

 

I don't blame you for not wanting to 'get into' it, as even John Calvin himself affirmed God's love for every person. Some "out-calvin" John Calvin around here.

 

Did you read my post? It doesn't appear as if you did.

Also, can you define 'works' for us so that we know that you are able to draw the distinction that I clearly laid out in my post? Thanks

 

Ahhhh, you feel it isnt fair......:tear:

 

Those holding to "salvation 100% of the Lord' would say that we are born into original Sin, are spiritually dead, saved by the Sovereign Will of God by Election unto Eternal life, that even faith he gives us...

 

Sure I did. You just don't like the answer!

Did I say any thing at all about the lost coin and the lost sheep? You are getting like Winman, telling me what I believe!

Yes they could!

Only in your mind Skandelon. You are assuming a parallelism that is unwarranted. As I said parables are parables. Now consider your initial post to which I responded:

You yourself say:

So the prodigal was a son when he left and a son when he came back according to your statement above! You cannot be restored to something you never were, can you?

 

Yes, Jesus said the prodigal son was dead and lost, words never said of believers. All of the stories in Luke 15 are about lost sinners, not backsliders.

Come on Skan, you know I can't let you get away with this, Jesus said the prodigal son was alive AGAIN.

KJB- For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Even the Modern Versions all say the young man had "returned" to life, or was "alive again"

NIV- For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

ESV- For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

NASB- for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

If men are born dead in sin as many falsely teach, then it would be impossible for Jesus to say the prodigal was alive AGAIN, but that is exactly what Jesus said, in fact he said it TWICE.

Yes, and to be reconciled means to reestablish a relationship. You cannot reconcile with someone you never knew and never had a relationship with.

Folks just don't get it, the scriptures do not support Original Sin.

 

Depends on your definition of Original Sin and your use of the analogy regarding 'death.' I'm fine with the 'again' application above for the same reasons you are, but I can still affirm Original Sin in that we are all born in need of a savior.

Even Adam was made with a need for Christ...the law simply revealed that truth.