Receiving a gift is not also part of the giving

Oh man, was that good. I wonder why the other side of this debate didn't respond to it? Thanks for posting that video Sister.

 

Sadly, it is that difficult to some.

 

Mitchell refuses to be defined by labels. He and I have had this discussion before. Avoiding labels is convenient because it excuses him from error. Oh, and I have tried removing the label, replacing it with the substance of what he believes. He rejects that too. It is sort of like Jello theology. He refuses to be pinned down. He wants an escape hatch of sorts whenever he thinks he needs it. Of course, his theology is synergistic, whether he accepts that or not. He can deny it all he wants, but facts are stubborn things.

 

Really?

I am not misslabeled by Van touting in a post that I view salvation as being of works?

Certainly, all is ONLY a Calvinist plot of right wing bikers who formulate all conspiracy.

 

You are right, labels are not facts. The facts are the beliefs that the labels represent. You do not believe a sinner is dead in their trespasses and sins. If a sinner is not dead in sin, common sense dictates there is something inside the sinner that can still give assent to God. Ergo, God does not first illumine and regenerate the sinner prior to the sinner believing. Theologians on both sides of the aisle agree that is the Synergist position. In the Synergist system, the fulcrum of salvation does not rest on God, it rests on man. Man must exercise his free will to believe. God leads the sinner to water but does not make him drink. The decision to drink is left to the sinner. That is Synergism = two parties cooperating in bringing about the desired result.

Now, you will say that is not your position and I am misrepresenting it. The fact is you will offer the same retort about anything I say. You are never going to allow yourself to be pinned down. That makes it difficult to have a constructive theological discussion because one party refuses to take responsibility for what they believe.

 

I dealt with your OP in posts #20 and #24. I said you asked a nonsensible question. I stand behind that. You do not like my answer. Big surprise, right? Cleverly worded questions do absolutely nothing to advance a discussion. All they do is reveal your inability to articulate a theological argument. For a man who is in the ministry that is a sad commentary.

 

No, it doesn't.

Sure. Jesus said we need to make every effort to enter into the Kingdom.

Sure it can. I exert effort all the time without earning anything from anyone. You are being illogical in your zeal to protect your theology from the words of Jesus.

The comparison fails because you falsely assert that "wages" and "effort" are the same thing. You are making all kinds of logical errors.

And now the attack.

So all I have learned from your post is that if I post the words of Jesus that undermine your theology and also provide a helpful clarification from a noted Christian leader, you are compelled to illogically assertions and attacks.

Not impressive.

 

Great post. Salvation is completely of God and He doesn't need our help. Grace, faith and repentance are all gifts.

God Bless

 

It is one thing to say salvation is completely of God and He does not need our help, which is true, and to say our faith that God credits of righteousness was supernaturally instilled before salvation (or after salvation if you agree with Agedman.)

1) We are saved through faith, thus our faith precedes our salvation, our faith provides access to the grace in which we stand, Romans 5:2.

2) Next we are chosen for salvation through faith (2 Thess. 2:13). So our election was conditional on the basis of faith in Christ.

3) Paul teaches (Romans 4:2-5) that salvation on the basis of faith is not a works based salvation.

 

Did you not read with comprehension the quote of Van?