Jane_Doe22
Well-Known Member
I agree that the hard-care Calvinism complete denial of free will is complete removal of responsibility.I don't know the big point (except that God causes all things to work for the good). Maybe the big point was that I understand God is sovereign in all things yet we freely decide. If the future depends on my choices apart from providence I should never decide as I cannot see the future. If my choices do not matter then I have no responsibility. But if my choices matter AND God is in control then I can act trusting in God for the outcome.
As Scripture says - The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
A hard-core Arminian (like myself) would say that God gives a person free will to make their choices. No manipulation, no pupeeterring, no rigging. Real free will. And real responsibility.
It was my understanding that your position was a sort of soft Calvinism: a person has will, but like the human throwing the dog's ball, it is being manipulated* to ensure a certain outcome.
(*I'm sorry, I don't want to use a word that's so negatively loaded here, but I really can't think of a better one. My apologies for my short coming in that regard).