Originally Posted by Pilgrim
Originally Posted by Tom
As I previously said, he believes in all 5 of the doctrines of grace. It was very clear that this was the case in our conversation.
Tom,

Okay.... why not think this through? ASSUMING that you have not misunderstood him, how does a spiritually dead sinner believe so as to be regenerated from which faith is born? Again, true Arminianism, e.g., of the Wesley variety, asserts that the Spirit does an initial work in the sinner which frees him from that inability to believe, aka: prevenient grace, enabling the sinner to make a free-will choice. Most assuredly, this is NOT consistent with Calvinism. The Synod of Dordt in its Third Head of Doctrine, in particular Articles 11 & 12, decisively repudiated any such notion and deemed it heresy.

Can you think of any way around this dilemma where a totally depraved sinner is able to exercise faith without first being given a new heart/nature? scratchchin

Pilgrim
I am in the process of writing an e-mail to this pastor.
About your question
Quote
Can you think of any way around this dilemma where a totally depraved sinner is able to exercise faith without first being given a new heart/nature? scratchchin

I have a feeling that if I have not misunderstood him, he would probably answer that although something must occur before faith, unlike "prevenient grace" that something is effectual. But that something is not regeneration.

Boy I hope I have misunderstood him.

Tom