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I am telling you what everyone means when they discuss free will in theological circles. You should read some books on the topic and I think that will help you to get a sense of how terms are used in this context.

FHII, THanks for your response. I know my comment to newlife was a bit general, but I was trying to make a point. It seems he/she is suggesting that free will can only be possessed by God. I was giving examples of what theologians and others debate under this heading from extreme sides of...

Again, you are making this a semantics game. Because I am not omnipotent, I do not have freedom? Because I cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound, I am not free? "fFree will" does not mean "unrestricted" in the absolute sense. Otherwise, free will would be synonymous with being God...

justaname, I didn't really answer your comment about what has been "recieved." Specifically, you were referring to this verse: I do think this is referring to Paul's special revelation of the Gospel by the Spirit. This message came from God directly to Paul and not from the wisdom or spirit...

justaname, Thank you for your response. I enjoy having a kind and thoughtful discussion with you. I wish more on here displayed this same kind of spirit. It is likely we will have to agree to disagree on this passage. But allow me to provide a little more explanation about why I feel...

No theologian defines "free will" in the sense of absolutely unbound with no restrictions. Of course we are all finite and are limited based upon our intellects, culture, language, etc. Free will simply means the ability to choose between opposites. It is the idea that God does not determine...

Jesus spoke in parables because many of his listeners refused to repent and be baptized by John. If you look at the Isaiah passage that Jesus quotes, he speaks in parables in order to "blind" and "harden" so people would not repent. This passage comes from a similar scenario in the OT. Isaiah...

Justaname, I apologize if my comment came across as if you were misrepresenting the Bible. I did not mean it that way. I was simply trying to explain why I do not agree with your interpretation as you presented it. I do think there are "proof-texts" that reveal the doctrine of the Trinity...

I am a non-OSAS/Pers of Saints person and I assure you I affirm that it is possible for God to save me and impossible for me to save myself. It seems obvious is mjrhearth does not really understand the position he is criticizing or else he wouldn't make such statements. I dont fault his...

I agree Oz. The words of Scripture are inspired for a reason. They are sufficient for us to understand and believe (cf. John 20:31). Just as the nations have no excuse for the existence of God because his power and attributes are clearly seen through what he has created, so the hearer of the...

mjrhealth, The problem is that you assume that the confusion is coming from others, while you, on the other hand, are completely pure in your understanding. The reason "confusion" exists is not because God expects every believer to agree on everything (Rom. 14:1)...as if a "right" relationship...

justaname, I wanted to take a moment to respond to your comment from earlier. So, what you are proposing here is that a "natural" person cannot understand or respond to the Gospel because it can only be accepted if the Spirit precedes and spiritually awakens a person so that they are capable...

justaname, Thanks for your response. I do think looking at 1 Cor. 2:14 is very important for this discussion. I believe this text (and many other verses in this context) are widely misapplied. I do not have time to address it today. I will try to write some comments about my understanding...

I think the point is that God's call is universal. It is not because God is unwilling that all do not hear or all do not respond. In fact, Acts 17:26-27 indicates that God is working in a way to help every person know him. The problem is that humans resist the Gospel and Christians can be...

Allegiant, Although I understand your concern that "bias" rules the day when the Bible is made the sole rule of authority, I still do not think this should disqualify it as the sole rule of faith and practice. When we look at the NT, we see Jesus regularly criticizing the Pharisees and other...

justaname, Thanks for your response. I agree that our agreements outweigh our disagreements and I am thankful for that. No matter our ultimate conclusions on this issue, we both agree that our only hope and salvation is the grace of God in Jesus Christ. We are brothers in Christ and will...

justaname, thanks for the link. I read through it and thought I would post some responses to the various points brought forward in this sermon. First, I find Spurgeon makes a problematic leap from God's creation of mountains and stars to God's creation of creatures that are given the ability...

Haha, justaname. I was looking at it and I thought, "I thought for sure I answered these before." I thought my mind was playing tricks on me! I'll try to read that link this morning when I get a chance.

So, if I may ask a question, if you are not a Calvinist and do not hold to limited atonement, why are you not a universalist? If God desires all men to be saved is he not capable of saving them? If he can "go over the will of men" then why would he not do this for everyone and do it as the...

“ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὁ πιστεύων ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον.” (John 6:47, NA27) The word pisteuon is a present participle. Participles are present actions that indicate an ongoing action and are often designated in the English language with the suffix, ing. Running, eating, jumping, believing. So...