Do you believe in monergism or synergism?

Monergists do think that people must believe to be saved. We just believe that even our faith is the result of God's work. We are saved through faith, but it is God who produces that faith within us.

 

This hasn't happened very often, but I agree with John.

 

Since I agree with John of Japan's view, I guess I'm a monosynergist (or a Johnofjapanist)

 

The final decision belongs to God...not me. If it belonged to me, I would be sure everyone I knew was saved. The final decision ALWAYS is with God and HE has decreed that those who thirst come.

 

What about a monergist who is also a synergist?

 

That's what I would be. I don't see them as having to be "either, or".

 

I got that impression.

But do you think the faith you exercise is a gift of God?

 

Yes...but this gift was not only given to a select group...faith and the ability to have faith is contained in everyone. The "gift" is the fact that faith is all that is needed, and no works are required for salvation. From the very young to the very old, faith is available.

 

Then it must be a faith given to everyone indiscriminately as a God-given gift, correct?

 

If you mean being a part humankind like the ability to reason and conscience...yes.

 

Here's what I don't understand: If all of humanity indiscriminate has this faith, and this faith wasn't affected by the fall, Why do we need the Holy Spirit to draw us to God?

And why do some come and others don't?

 

...a tulip By any other name would smell...

 

I believe mankind as a whole was affected by the fall (spiritual and physical death), but I don't see each and every particular aspect being affected. Before the fall Eve could put her faith in God or the serpent. She chose the serpent, she "exchanged the truth for a lie".

Did the fall affect the Law written on mens hearts? Did it affect breathing? Ability to speak? Eat and drink?

 

If man's faith was affected by the fall, then why do we need grace and the Holy Spirit to come to God?

Surely we should be able to come on our own to God.

 

What affected Eve and Adam's faith since the fall didn't occur yet?

 

We must conclude that they had a unique fellowship with God.

There was no sin in their path.

In fact, we don't know for sure what it was like, since we have to deal with sin in our fellowship with God.

 

I believe since faith is nothing more than believing that which is perceived to be true, faith is not affected by the fall but what we perceive to be the importance of where we put our faith (ourselves).

 

Well, I believe faith is a gift of God and must be wrought wholly by God, since man has been affected by the fall.

 

I am modified arminian, osas. I believe the Holy Spirit gives to all the grace to respond. Some choose not to avail themselves of it.