The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Is man required to "choose" in order to be saved?

Blade,

The only objection that I have with how you prefer to phrase it is that the "will" is not an independent entity. The will is at the beck and call of the intellect and affections and does not operate independently of them. Thus God does not "form the will", but rather uses the intellect and affections to do so. But most importantly, is that God never "forces" the will of man to do that which is contrary to it. Again, I would point to those texts in Acts which describe the crucifixion which was done according to the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" of God. Yet, those who particpated in that crucifixion did so by a deliberate choice on their part and that most willingly.

<p align="center"><font size="4">[color:"blue"]The Westminster Confession of Faith[/color]</font>
Chapter IX
Of Free Will</p>
IV. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin;[8] and, by his grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good;[9] yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.[10]

8. Col. 1:13; John 8:34, 36; Rom. 6:6-7
9. Phil. 2:13; Rom. 6:14, 17-19, 22
10. Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14-25; I John 1:8, 10

In His Grace,