Featured What I wish the other side understood

There are a few issues, I think.

First, your wording that "no decree of God can be thwarted". There is an issue with what is, and is not, decreed. Personally I do not have a problem here because I believe everything is decreed simply because everything has it's being through Christ and apart from Him does not even exist. But others may point out that they also affirm anything God decrees will be accomplished while also affirming God does not decree salvation.

Second, there is the reason sinners are not able to "not sin". Some attribute this to Adam (to a fallen nature) so that the flawed nature is ultimately tossed aside (one way or another). Others consider man's inability to be a matter of the will (men cannot "not sin" because man will not repent and turn to God). This second calls to mind Spurgeon's statement that some say they cannot because they will not, while ultimately the answer is they won't (turn to God).

Third, "death" in terms of a "spiritual death" is an illustration. The spiritually dead can do a lot of things, in their spirit. But they will not turn to God. It is at a minimum pushing the limits to declare that Paul's choice of words evidence an inability based on action rather than unwillingness.

So there are several things that are "in between" discussions that can very well separate opinions.

As far as my view of Compatibilism, it helps me just sit back and watch what I view as errors on both sides of the isle. It's a good place to be on this topic because I affirm everything you affirm but ignore what you deny. The same is true when considering the free-will people. And my answer can always be that I believe God is not man.

 

I know you are not. Otherwise we would be at peace together .

What brings me peace is my belief that God's will is not like man's will, but is eternally "above" or transcendent and beyond our categories of thought.