No person can come to Christ by their own freewill !

brightfame52 said:
You reap what you sow
Click to expand...

I reap completeness, fullness, and unbelievable closeness with our God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit

When was the last time you had a talk with the Father? Mine was around 40 minutes ago.
 
After the fall God spoke to Cain in Genesis 4:6–7, when Cain apparently brought less than the best he had as a gift in worship of God and God rejected his gift:

So the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.
Genesis 4:6–7

The natural way to read this is that God gave Cain two alternatives and the freedom to choose between them. To be sure, our freedom lies only within the boundaries God sets; it is God who gives and defines freedom.

The Calvinistic objection to this is that Cain was depraved—spiritually dead and deaf and blind and bound—and could not respond to God’s offer to choose submission to him. I say that when God said “If you do well,” His words, given life and power by the Spirit, enabled Cain to respond positively in spite of his depravity, and that the biblical account makes the best sense in this light.

The sweet winds of grace were blowing then, and God was offering Cain the way to forgiveness and life: to submit to God or reject him. Tragically, he expressed his choice in spilling the blood of his innocent brother, whose offering God had accepted.
Freedom is a fierce thing!
 
brightfame52 said:
Tulip 🌷 is the Gospel so be careful
Click to expand...
You know. I believe that Tiny Tim should have written a song about that. He was the Tulip man... or are you too young to remember?
 
The phrase total depravity has long been employed by Reformed theologians and others to describe the fallen state of man. Although the language is adequate when properly defined, the phrases pervasive depravity and radical depravity may be more appropriate.

To say that every man is totally depraved does not mean that he is as bad as he could be or that his every deed is entirely or perfectly evil. Rather it means that depravity, or moral corruption, has affected his entire being—body, intellect, and will.

Total depravity does not mean that the image of God in man was totally lost in the fall. In several texts, Scripture still refers to man as being made “in the image of God.” Total depravity does mean that the image of God in man has been seriously defaced or disfigured, and that moral corruption has polluted the entire person—body, reason, emotions, and will.

Secondly, total depravity does not mean that man has no knowledge of the person or will of God. The Scriptures teach us that all men know enough about the true God and His will to be without excuse before Him on the day of judgment. What it does mean is that apart from a special work of grace, all men reject God’s truth in favor of their own futile speculations. They are hostile towards God’s truth and seek to suppress it so that it will not disturb what is left of their conscience.6 Men know enough about God to hate Him and enough about His will to reject it and fight against it.

Thirdly, total depravity does not mean that man has no conscience or that he is totally insensible to good and evil. The Scriptures teach that all men possess a conscience, which, if not seared, is able to lead them to admire virtuous character and actions. What it does mean is that men are not wholeheartedly obedient to the directives of their conscience. A man is not righteous because he knows what is good or denounces what is evil, but because he does the good he knows.

Fourthly, total depravity does not mean that man is incapable of demonstrating virtue. There are men who love their families, sacrifice their own lives to save others, complete their civic duties, and perform good deeds in the name of religion. It does mean that such virtue is not motivated by genuine love for God or any true desire to obey His commands. The Scriptures testify that no man loves God in a worthy manner or as the law commands, neither is there a man who glorifies God in every thought, word, and deed. All men prefer self to God, and it is the love of self or the love of others—not the love of God—that moves men to acts of altruism, heroics, civic duty, and external religious good.1

Fifthly, total depravity does not mean that all men are as immoral as they could be, that all men are equally immoral, or that all men indulge in every form of evil that exists. Not all men are delinquents, fornicators, or murderers. It does mean that all men are born with a great propensity or inclination towards evil, and that all men are capable of the most unspeakable crimes and the most shameful perversions. As a whole, all of humanity is inclined to greater and greater moral corruption, and this moral deterioration would be incalculably more rapid than it is were it not for the common grace of God which restrains it. Man, by his own doing, cannot free or recuperate himself from this downward spiral.

Finally, total depravity does not mean that men do not possess the necessary faculties to obey God. Man is not a victim who desires to obey but is unable to because of factors beyond his control. God has endowed man with an intellect, a will, and a freedom to choose. Man is therefore responsible before God as a moral agent. Total depravity does mean that man cannot submit himself to God because he will not, and he will not because of his own hostility toward God.


Paul Washer, The Gospel’s Power and Message, Recovering the Gospel
 
brightfame52 said:
People have been deceived into thinking the truths of tulip are man-made, yet they are grounded in the grace of God
Click to expand...
I have posted the following before to you and you have ignored it. I am certain you did not read it either because you cannot
or because you can claim plausible deniability when you keep spouting the same old. same old, same old.......

Why don't you take just one lowly little point and lets all discuss it civilly?

Does not have to be in order.... just which ever you are led to wanting to get out there?

Why Calvinism (TULIP) is not supported by Scripture?​

Table of Contents

Calvinism – TULIP​

Calvinism, a theological system based on the teachings of John Calvin, has profoundly influenced Protestant Christianity since the Reformation. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation, particularly through the doctrines known as the “Five Points of Calvinism,” often encapsulated in the acronym TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. While Calvinism has its proponents, Bible believing Christians argue that its tenets are not biblically sound. This study will explore why Calvinism is not biblical, using references from the Word of God to support this analysis.

​

Definition and Implications​

The first point of Calvinism, Total Depravity, posits that as a result of the Fall, every aspect of humanity—mind, will, emotions, and flesh—has been corrupted by sin, making it impossible for individuals to come to God without divine intervention. While the Bible affirms the pervasive nature of sin, it does not support the idea that humans are utterly incapable of responding to God’s call.

Biblical Refutation​

  1. Human Responsibility
    • Ezekiel 18:30-32 (NKJV): “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent, and turn from all your offenses, so sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”
    • This passage emphasizes human responsibility in repentance and the possibility of transformation. If humans are utterly depraved and incapable of turning to God, such exhortations would be meaningless.
  2. Call to Seek God
    • Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV): “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
    • This passage implies that individuals have the capacity to seek God, refuting the idea that total depravity renders them incapable of doing so.
  3. Opportunity for Salvation
    • 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV): “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
    • This verse reveals God’s desire for all to come to repentance, suggesting that people are not incapable of responding to Him.

​

Definition and Implications​

Unconditional Election asserts that God has chosen certain individuals for salvation based solely on His will, not on any foreseen merit or action on their part. This doctrine raises questions about the nature of God’s justice and mercy.

Biblical Refutation​

  1. Conditional Election Based on Faith
    • Romans 8:29-30 (NKJV): “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
    • This passage indicates that as God foresaw, and thus foreknew, each generation of men, He coupled immediately with His foreknowledge the decision to predestinate them all to be saved.
  2. Invitation to All
    • Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV): “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
    • Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him, indicating that salvation is accessible to anyone willing to respond.
  3. God’s Will for All to Be Saved
    • 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV): “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
    • The implication that God desires all people to be saved refutes the notion of unconditional election, as it suggests a universal opportunity for salvation.

​

Definition and Implications​

Limited Atonement holds that Christ’s atonement is limited to the elect, meaning that His sacrificial death was not for all humanity but specifically for those chosen by God.

Biblical Refutation​

  1. Universal Atonement
    • John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
    • This well-known verse emphasizes that God’s love extends to the world, not just a select group. The use of “whoever” implies that salvation is available to all who believe.
  2. Christ Died for All
    • 1 John 2:2 (NKJV): “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
    • This verse directly refutes the limited atonement doctrine by stating that Christ’s sacrifice is for the whole world, indicating that His atonement is not restricted to the elect.
  3. The Scope of Redemption
    • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NKJV): “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
    • This passage reinforces the notion that Christ died for all, and His atonement provides the basis for a transformed life in those who accept it.

​

Definition and Implications​

Irresistible Grace posits that when God extends His grace to the elect, they cannot resist it. This raises significant questions about human free will and the nature of God’s grace.

Biblical Refutation​

  1. The Ability to Resist God
    • Acts 7:51 (NKJV): “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”
    • Stephen’s condemnation of the Jewish leaders illustrates that individuals can indeed resist the Holy Spirit, contradicting the idea of irresistible grace.
  2. Invitation to Respond
    • Revelation 3:20 (NKJV): “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
    • Jesus’ invitation implies that individuals have the choice to respond to His grace. The metaphor of knocking on the door indicates that acceptance is not automatic but requires an active response.
  3. Grace Offered to All
    • Titus 2:11 (NKJV): “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
    • This verse affirms that God’s grace is available to all, not just the elect, emphasizing the universal invitation to accept salvation.

​

Definition and Implications​

Perseverance of the Saints teaches that those who are truly elect will persevere in faith until the end, implying that genuine believers cannot ultimately fall away from grace.

Biblical Refutation​

  1. Warning Against Falling Away
    • Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV): “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
    • This passage presents a strong warning against falling away from faith, suggesting that it is indeed possible for someone to turn away after experiencing God’s grace.
  2. Call to Remain Faithful
    • 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV): “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
    • Paul warns believers to be vigilant and mindful of their spiritual condition, indicating that perseverance requires active faith and vigilance.
  3. Conditional Nature of Salvation
    • Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV): “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.”
    • This passage illustrates that ongoing faith and perseverance are necessary to remain in a reconciled state with God, contradicting the notion that once saved, one is always saved.

​

In summary, Calvinism presents theological concepts that are not supported by Scripture. The doctrines of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints can be critically examined against the teachings of the Bible. The emphasis on human responsibility, the universal offer of salvation, and the potential for falling away highlight a more biblical understanding of God’s relationship with humanity.

Ultimately, the Bible presents a God who desires a personal relationship with all individuals, offering grace and salvation to anyone who will accept it. In contrast to the determinism inherent in Calvinist theology, Scripture affirms the reality of human choice and the call to respond to God’s grace actively. For these reasons, many believers find Calvinism to be at odds with the biblical narrative of salvation, grace, and human responsibility.word, it is because there[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+8:20&amp;version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-17828a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a</a>] is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
Click to expand...
 

Similar threads

civic
The Calvinists eisegesis of John 6:55
11 12 13
Replies
250
Views
1K
TomL
T
S
They have their reward
Replies
1
Views
131
101G
101G
jeremiah1five
Responsibilities to God and His Christ
2 3
Replies
51
Views
414
TomL
T
N
Scriptural Baptism
Replies
5
Views
123
NetChaplain
N
civic
Salvation and how Jesus used the word in the N.T.
Replies
2
Views
71
civic
civic
Back
Top Bottom