The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum On SBC report on Calvinism

EXACTLY, John!!

Wesleyan Arminianism asserts this exact same thing... i.e., since man is "totally depraved" it is essential that God do something to him in order to allow him to exercise his will, aka: "make a decision for Jesus". A positive "decision" results in regeneration. That something, Wesley insisted was "Prevenient Grace". One of my illustrations of this view is that of a man locked in a cell with no means of escape. The jailor comes along and unlocks the cell door and then walks away. The prisoner has a "decision" to make, i.e., he must will to leave the cell by getting up and opening the now unlocked door and consequently, he is then free. This is classic SYNERGISM.

The problem with the view espoused by Tom's nemesis is that Scripture describes man as being SPIRITUALLY DEAD. The whole man; intellect, affections, and will are wholly inclined toward evil. The natural man hates God, Christ, and all that is good and holy. Thus the natural man's will cannot make a "decision" to believe for the heart is desparately wicked. Unless man's nature is radically changed; mind, emotions and will, it is absolutely impossible for a man to believe. The "tree" must first be made good which is exactly what regeneration is... re-generate, to re-animate, aka: spiritual resurrection, to be born again, etc.

The "will" is NOT some independent agency within man. The will is totally subservient to the intellect and affections. As Edwards correctly stated, Man will always do that which is most desirable to him at any given time under whatever circumstances surround him. The will cannot "choose" something contrary to what the intellect knows and/or the affections are inclined toward. Yet, this is what modern semi-Pelagianism asserts. It bifurcates the inextricable union of the intellect, affections and will and makes the will autonomous.

This entire matter was thoroughly deliberated and expounded upon in the 3rd & 4th Heads of Doctrine in the Canons of Dordt, especially in the 4th Head of Doctrine on the issue of "Irresistible Grace".