Comments on: Free Will http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/ Bible Blog - Growing Closer to God through the Scriptures Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:27:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Scripture Zealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-27720 Scripture Zealot Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:15:30 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-27720 “Does God save or not save people irrespective of their choice?” That's a question I haven't seen before. God wouldn't send someone to hell who has chosen to believe the gospel. I don't believe God saves or doesn't save <i>after</i> a person would make a choice, if that's how you want to put it. Jeff “Does God save or not save people irrespective of their choice?” That’s a question I haven’t seen before. God wouldn’t send someone to hell who has chosen to believe the gospel. I don’t believe God saves or doesn’t save after a person would make a choice, if that’s how you want to put it.
Jeff

]]> By: Jason http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-27716 Jason Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:27:45 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-27716 I agree that the definition of the term frames the debate. A better question might be "Does God save or not save people irrespective of their choice?" Of course this question is predicated on the fact that we all agree about the nature and course of salvation. At any rate if we answer "yes" than this means that God punishes people with an eternity in hell for rejecting his Son when they had no choice to do so. That doesn't sound like a just God which my Bible presents. I agree that the definition of the term frames the debate. A better question might be “Does God save or not save people irrespective of their choice?” Of course this question is predicated on the fact that we all agree about the nature and course of salvation. At any rate if we answer “yes” than this means that God punishes people with an eternity in hell for rejecting his Son when they had no choice to do so. That doesn’t sound like a just God which my Bible presents.

]]> By: Russ Davis http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-27415 Russ Davis Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:57:33 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-27415 Oops! I forgot the links for the Synod of Dort at www.ccel.org (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous/canonsofdort.html), as is Calvin's wonderful Biblically rich "Institutes of the Christian religion" (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes) Oops! I forgot the links for the Synod of Dort at http://www.ccel.org (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous/canonsofdort.html), as is Calvin’s wonderful Biblically rich “Institutes of the Christian religion” (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes)

]]> By: Russ Davis http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-27414 Russ Davis Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:49:45 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-27414 As the saying goes, "Define your terms and I'll argue with you!" I don't know if I've ever argued with a professing "christian" where their gut-level-knee-jerk-reaction-without-a-thought wasn't "Yesthere'sfreewilldamnit!" Of course it's all man's foolish pseudo-wisdom without a verse of God's Word that isn't taken out of context since one cannot find man's delusion of "free will" in God's Word. Funny how professing "christians" are offended if you bring up your preference for God's free will or grace (e.g. your Spurgeon quote) because it threatens their ego idol. God's first, great command is to love Him with all, including our minds and philosophies, but that doesn't stop them. God-exalting monergism (God alone (mon-) doing the work (erg) see www.monergism.com) always threatens the synergism (syn=with+erg=work) all are born with, presently most popularized, though ill-defined, as arminianism, though poor Jacob/James would have been horrified to see the ruin of his alleged followers deranged pseudo-theologies pretending to be harmonious with his many errors extensively Biblically refuted by the Synod of Dort for which Arminians have never provided reasonable rejoinder to those few who take God's Word seriously for synergists are either idolatrous philosophers who disdain God's Word or monergists-in-the-making on their way to abandoning the foolishness for God's free grace, since all are born synergists and only come to escape its vile tentacles by the wonderful power of God's free grace. As has been said, John Piper (www.desiringGod.org) and the late Charles Spurgeon (www.spurgeon.org) are two able proponents (Piper is better with exegesis, though hindered by credo-Baptist errors undercutting his Reformed theology) of God's free grace loving the Reformation so important in restoring it. Soli Deo Gloria! As the saying goes, “Define your terms and I’ll argue with you!” I don’t know if I’ve ever argued with a professing “christian” where their gut-level-knee-jerk-reaction-without-a-thought wasn’t “Yesthere’sfreewilldamnit!” Of course it’s all man’s foolish pseudo-wisdom without a verse of God’s Word that isn’t taken out of context since one cannot find man’s delusion of “free will” in God’s Word. Funny how professing “christians” are offended if you bring up your preference for God’s free will or grace (e.g. your Spurgeon quote) because it threatens their ego idol. God’s first, great command is to love Him with all, including our minds and philosophies, but that doesn’t stop them. God-exalting monergism (God alone (mon-) doing the work (erg) see http://www.monergism.com) always threatens the synergism (syn=with+erg=work) all are born with, presently most popularized, though ill-defined, as arminianism, though poor Jacob/James would have been horrified to see the ruin of his alleged followers deranged pseudo-theologies pretending to be harmonious with his many errors extensively Biblically refuted by the Synod of Dort for which Arminians have never provided reasonable rejoinder to those few who take God’s Word seriously for synergists are either idolatrous philosophers who disdain God’s Word or monergists-in-the-making on their way to abandoning the foolishness for God’s free grace, since all are born synergists and only come to escape its vile tentacles by the wonderful power of God’s free grace. As has been said, John Piper (www.desiringGod.org) and the late Charles Spurgeon (www.spurgeon.org) are two able proponents (Piper is better with exegesis, though hindered by credo-Baptist errors undercutting his Reformed theology) of God’s free grace loving the Reformation so important in restoring it.
Soli Deo Gloria!

]]> By: ChristFollower http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-17929 ChristFollower Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:39:22 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-17929 I totally agree Stan. I totally agree Stan.

]]> By: Stan McCullars http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-17928 Stan McCullars Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:19:05 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-17928 God does predesting us. Yet we freely choose to serve God and to repent from our sin. We are not forced to do so. God does predesting us. Yet we freely choose to serve God and to repent from our sin. We are not forced to do so.

]]> By: ChristFollower http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-17927 ChristFollower Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:22:03 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-17927 Paul, We have all already chosen point "C" as our default destination as a result of the fall. That's why God must take the first step in saving us by giving us the Spirit and convicting us. You have NOTHING to do with willing the Spirit or your convictions a certain direction. This is why God must choose us/predestine us. I do agree that we have free will when it comes to everyday living. Even after God has called & saved us He says "Take up your cross daily and follow me." There are many different paths which we can go down to get from point A to point B... which are a result of our choices/free will... but we will still end up at point B in the end. Paul,

We have all already chosen point “C” as our default destination as a result of the fall. That’s why God must take the first step in saving us by giving us the Spirit and convicting us. You have NOTHING to do with willing the Spirit or your convictions a certain direction. This is why God must choose us/predestine us.

I do agree that we have free will when it comes to everyday living. Even after God has called & saved us He says “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” There are many different paths which we can go down to get from point A to point B… which are a result of our choices/free will… but we will still end up at point B in the end.

]]> By: ChristFollower http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-17926 ChristFollower Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:48:08 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-17926 To believe in free will concerning salvation is very arrogant and unbiblical. Read John 6:37, 6:44, Romans 8:28&29, Romans Chapter 9, Ephesians 1:3-5... not to mention the fact that Christ originally came to save only the Jews. (His elect people) and what about the 144k Jews that will be saved in the end? (Book of Rev.) These are just a few of the evidences in scripture that show God pre-destined and has very exclusive groups/numbers of people he will save. Even a believer's faith is a gift from God according to scripture. I caution you not to take credit for anything God has done. Peace and Blessings! To believe in free will concerning salvation is very arrogant and unbiblical. Read John 6:37, 6:44, Romans 8:28&29, Romans Chapter 9, Ephesians 1:3-5… not to mention the fact that Christ originally came to save only the Jews. (His elect people) and what about the 144k Jews that will be saved in the end? (Book of Rev.) These are just a few of the evidences in scripture that show God pre-destined and has very exclusive groups/numbers of people he will save. Even a believer’s faith is a gift from God according to scripture. I caution you not to take credit for anything God has done. Peace and Blessings!

]]> By: Paul Townsend http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-17917 Paul Townsend Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:19:49 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-17917 . . . but a Point "C" has to enter the discussion . . . God "creates" Point A; GOd "desires" Point B. We can CHOOSE Point B or we can choose Point C, which is where we end up if we choose NOT to follow God. In that case, He is disappointed if we go with "C", but it was OUR call, not His. It does not break the circle . . . He allows it in, by our "desire" or "request". Sure, He know what we will choose, but that is a discussion for a different blog. . . . but a Point “C” has to enter the discussion . . . God “creates” Point A; GOd “desires” Point B. We can CHOOSE Point B or we can choose Point C, which is where we end up if we choose NOT to follow God. In that case, He is disappointed if we go with “C”, but it was OUR call, not His. It does not break the circle . . . He allows it in, by our “desire” or “request”. Sure, He know what we will choose, but that is a discussion for a different blog.

]]> By: ChristFollower http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-14750 ChristFollower Sun, 03 May 2009 10:06:41 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-14750 Think of it this way... The sacrifice of Christ made a way for us to have eternal life, but it didn't change the nature of our flesh.  Read Romans 3:10-11 and you will know the condition of our flesh.  When you consider that, do you believe man is able to, ON HIS OWN, make a decision to follow God?  No, God takes the first step and pursues us. Another good scripture is Ephesians 1:3-6.  If you want to know how I vidualize it... draw a large circle (this represents God's realm; if it were realistic it would be infinately large)  then inside the circle put a dot (label it dot A) to represent where you began life.  Then put another dot (label it dot B) to represent where you end life if you are saved. Obviously you want to seperate the two dots a ways.  Now you must realize that God has predetermined that you are going from point A to point B... regardless of anything else.  (And if you want you can put a point C, which is for those that weren't chosen to be saved). However, from point A to point B is your life and all the many decisions and consequences of your actions fall between point A and B.  There might be a million different roads you take to get from point A to point B, and which route you take is going to be based on your decisions.  However, you are still going to be at point B when all is said and done. Obviously nothing breaks through the large circle... which is God's realm.  Hope this is helpful! Think of it this way… The sacrifice of Christ made a way for us to have eternal life, but it didn’t change the nature of our flesh.  Read Romans 3:10-11 and you will know the condition of our flesh.  When you consider that, do you believe man is able to, ON HIS OWN, make a decision to follow God?  No, God takes the first step and pursues us. Another good scripture is Ephesians 1:3-6.  If you want to know how I vidualize it… draw a large circle (this represents God’s realm; if it were realistic it would be infinately large)  then inside the circle put a dot (label it dot A) to represent where you began life.  Then put another dot (label it dot B) to represent where you end life if you are saved. Obviously you want to seperate the two dots a ways.  Now you must realize that God has predetermined that you are going from point A to point B… regardless of anything else.  (And if you want you can put a point C, which is for those that weren’t chosen to be saved). However, from point A to point B is your life and all the many decisions and consequences of your actions fall between point A and B.  There might be a million different roads you take to get from point A to point B, and which route you take is going to be based on your decisions.  However, you are still going to be at point B when all is said and done. Obviously nothing breaks through the large circle… which is God’s realm.  Hope this is helpful!

]]> By: Why I Blog | Scripture Zealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Why I Blog | Scripture Zealot Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:40:39 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-261 [...] I would love to learn from others by their posting comments to this blog. The problem with that is my blog is a “tween-er”. I’m not a scholar and am not scholarly enough for scholarly people to want to read and post to this blog. (Although I do get an occasional gem from Estaban and others.) And this blog may be a little much for those who are casual Bible readers but come across it doing a search for something like Jeremiah 29:11 (link) or free will. [...] [...] I would love to learn from others by their posting comments to this blog. The problem with that is my blog is a “tween-er”. I’m not a scholar and am not scholarly enough for scholarly people to want to read and post to this blog. (Although I do get an occasional gem from Estaban and others.) And this blog may be a little much for those who are casual Bible readers but come across it doing a search for something like Jeremiah 29:11 (link) or free will. [...]

]]> By: Free Will | Scripture Zealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Free Will | Scripture Zealot Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:19:10 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-223 [...] Free Will [...] [...] Free Will [...]

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-125 ScriptureZealot Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:48:53 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-125 <strong><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/57/2464_Is_being_born_again_up_to_us/" rel="nofollow">Is being born again up to us?</a></strong> by John Piper Is being born again up to us? by John Piper

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-109 ScriptureZealot Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:56:31 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-109 Thank you BN. Here some more posts I found: <strong><a href="http://souldesaenz.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/on-the-free-will-of-man/" rel="nofollow">On The Free Will of Man</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://souldesaenz.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/on-the-free-will-of-man-ii/" rel="nofollow">On The Free Will of Man II</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://souldesaenz.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/52/" rel="nofollow">On The Free Will of Man III</a></strong> Thank you BN.

Here some more posts I found:
On The Free Will of Man
On The Free Will of Man II
On The Free Will of Man III

]]> By: Bulletin News http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Bulletin News Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:56:52 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-89 Wonderful view about ll, Grace, Mercy, Holy Spirit | Scripture Zealot. I enjoy this articles. Wonderful view about ll, Grace, Mercy, Holy Spirit | Scripture Zealot. I enjoy this articles.

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-78 ScriptureZealot Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:49:37 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-78 "I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will, of his own free will, come to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, 'You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for Myself.' My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will." --Charles Haddon Spurgeon “I do not come into this pulpit hoping that perhaps somebody will, of his own free will, come to Christ. My hope lies in another quarter. I hope that my Master will lay hold of some of them and say, ‘You are mine, and you shall be mine. I claim you for Myself.’ My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.”
–Charles Haddon Spurgeon

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-69 ScriptureZealot Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:48:40 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-69 Here is a review for a book called <em><a href="http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-election-and-free-will.php" rel="nofollow">Election and Free Will</a></em> Here is a review for a book called Election and Free Will

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-40 ScriptureZealot Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:54:31 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-40 In John Piper's devotional for this week he recommends the book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602065446?ie=UTF8&tag=tradingbooks0c&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1602065446" rel="nofollow">The Freedom of the Will</em> by Jonathan Edwards. In John Piper’s devotional for this week he recommends the book The Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards.

]]> By: ScriptureZealot http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-38 ScriptureZealot Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:19:35 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-38 Hi Lu, Yes that's spelled correctly. I'm still reading about free will. I think there needs to be a distinction between free will, freedom of choice and responsibility. Maybe for a future post. Hi Lu,
Yes that’s spelled correctly.

I’m still reading about free will. I think there needs to be a distinction between free will, freedom of choice and responsibility. Maybe for a future post.

]]> By: Lu http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Lu Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:07:11 +0000 http://www.scripturezealot.com/2007/10/27/free-will/#comment-37 Yes, there is free will. However, there is also Omniscience. (Hope I spelled that right). Yes, there is free will. However, there is also Omniscience. (Hope I spelled that right).

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