brightfame52
Active Member
Man by nature does not have the ability to come and Believe on Christ John 6:44, 65
No person can come to Christ by their own freewill !
- Thread starter brightfame52
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Darby
Active Member
The statement that I hold to is humans have the natural ability to believe on Chris. But it is a complex theological topic with differing viewpoints. Some interpretations emphasize a "natural" or "moral" inability, suggesting that without divine intervention, humans are spiritually dead or averse to God and cannot choose salvation on their own. Other views, often associated with the Catholic Church's understanding of semi-Pelagianism, hold that while humanity is affected by the Fall, its will and reason are not completely destroyed, allowing for a cooperative role in salvation alongside God's grace. Ultimately, these differing views hinge on the theological interpretation of human nature after the fall of Adam and Eve and the role of God's grace in salvation, as discussed by sources like Covenant of Grace Church, Cedarville University, and Cold Case Christianity.
Arguments for a natural ability to cooperate in salvation
- Enduring will: Some theological traditions argue that the human will was damaged but not destroyed by the Fall. Therefore, while grace is still needed, humans retain an ability to cooperate with God in the process of salvation.
- Partial fallenness: This view suggests that human nature is only partly fallen and that the capacity for reason and will remains, allowing humans to respond to God's grace when offered.
- Autonomy: This perspective sees humans as having some level of autonomy, where their will is harmed but not eliminated, which allows for a partnership between human choice and divine grace.
Alternative perspectives
- Free will: Some interpretations focus on the idea of free will, suggesting that humans are free to choose what they want, but because of Adam and Eve's fall, no one naturally wants or chooses what is right in God's sight.
- God's grace: Other views highlight the concept of divine grace as the primary factor, stating that even our ability to believe is a gift from God, and our best moments are simply God's work in us.
