"Man has to only open his heart?" Let's see what stands written.
John 1:13 (KJV)
"Which were born (ἐγεννήθησαν), not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Greek: ἐγεννήθησαν (egennēthēsan) - aorist passive indicative of γεννάω (gennaō), meaning "to be born."
John 3:3 (KJV)
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born (γεννηθῇ), he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Greek: γεννηθῇ (gennēthē) - aorist passive subjunctive of γεννάω (gennaō).
John 3:5 (KJV)
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born (γεννηθῇ) of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Greek: γεννηθῇ (gennēthē) - aorist passive subjunctive of γεννάω (gennaō).
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Greek: σεσῳσμένοι (sesōsmenoi) - perfect passive participle of σῴζω (sōzō), meaning "to save."
Titus 3:5 (KJV)
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration (παλιγγενεσίας) and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
Greek: παλιγγενεσίας (palingenesias) - genitive singular of παλιγγενεσία (palingenesia), meaning "regeneration" or "new birth."
1 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten (ἀναγεννήσας) us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Greek: ἀναγεννήσας (anagennēsas) - aorist active participle of ἀναγεννάω (anagennaō), meaning "to beget again" or "to regenerate."
James 1:18 (KJV)
"Of his own will begat (ἀπεκύησεν) he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
Greek: ἀπεκύησεν (apekyēsen) - aorist active indicative of ἀποκυέω (apokyēō), meaning "to bring forth" or "to give birth."
1 John 2:29 (KJV)
"If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born (γεγέννηται) of him."
Greek: γεγέννηται (gegenētai) - perfect passive indicative of γεννάω (gennaō).
1 John 5:1 (KJV)
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born (γεγεννημένος) of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
Greek: γεγεννημένος (gegennēmenos) - perfect passive participle of γεννάω (gennaō).
1 John 5:4 (KJV)
"For whatsoever is born (γεγεννημένος) of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Greek: γεγεννημένος (gegennēmenos) - perfect passive participle of γεννάω (gennaō).
These scriptures affirm that the new birth, or being born again, is entirely the result of God's sovereign work and grace in the life of a believer.
The Greek terms used emphasize the passive nature of this spiritual birth, indicating that it is something received from God rather than achieved through human effort.
Correct? Now--
Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD):
Justin Martyr affirmed the role of human choice in responding to God's grace. He argued that God offers salvation universally to all through Christ, and humans have the freedom to accept or reject this offer. This aligns with the idea that while God initiates salvation, individuals must respond willingly.
Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202 AD):
Irenaeus emphasized human free will in the context of God's overarching plan of salvation. He argued that God created humans with the ability to choose between good and evil, and through Christ's redemption, humanity is restored to the opportunity to freely choose God. This reflects a synergistic view where human will cooperates with God's grace.
Origen (c. 184-253 AD):
Origen discussed free will extensively in his theological writings. He taught that humans have the freedom to choose to follow God or to turn away. Origen also emphasized the importance of God's grace in enabling individuals to choose the good. He believed in the eventual restoration of all beings to God, emphasizing the potential for free choice throughout eternity.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD):
Augustine's perspective on free will evolved over his lifetime. In his early writings (e.g., "On Free Choice of the Will"), Augustine emphasized human freedom and responsibility. However, his later works, especially after his debates with Pelagius, emphasized the primacy of divine grace in salvation. Augustine taught that fallen humanity's will is enslaved to sin and cannot choose God without the prevenient grace of God's Spirit.
John Chrysostom (349-407 AD):
Chrysostom upheld human free will within the context of God's grace. He emphasized that God calls all people to salvation and gives them the ability to respond freely. Chrysostom emphasized the responsibility of individuals to cooperate with God's grace and choose to follow Christ.
In summary, the early Church Fathers generally affirmed that humans possess free will to respond to God's offer of salvation. They taught that while God initiates and enables salvation through grace, individuals have the freedom to accept or reject this grace. This perspective acknowledges both God's sovereignty in salvation and human responsibility to choose faith and obedience.
Other Reformers and Reformed Tradition:
Other Reformers and the broader Reformed tradition generally upheld similar views on human depravity and divine sovereignty in salvation.
They affirmed that salvation is initiated and accomplished by God's grace alone (sola gratia) and that human free will, in its fallen state, cannot choose God or cooperate with divine grace apart from God's initiative. This theological framework contrasts with the synergistic views found in some early Church Fathers, where human free will cooperates with God's grace in the process of salvation.
Problematic, isn't it @Hepzibah? Paradoxical, tension filled and seemingly at odds--
John 6:44 (ESV)
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."
John 6:65 (ESV)
"And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'"
John 10:27-29 (ESV)
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
John 12:32 (ESV)
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Acts 16:14 (ESV)
"One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul."
These passages highlight the foundational biblical teaching that salvation and coming to Jesus are initiated and enabled by God's drawing and granting of grace. They emphasize the sovereignty of God in the process of salvation, ensuring that it is ultimately God who calls and enables individuals to respond to His call in faith.
You agree?
J.