William,
Since no one wants to answer your question directly, I'll give it a crack.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (emphasis mine) believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
A beloved verse for the evangelist, but does it support free will? (in regards to salvation) Let's see.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son...." So far, so good.
"That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
"Whosoever believeth" does not necessarily specify that man is free to believe on his own. In fact, to read it this way is to contradict the rest of scripture. Let me substantiate this claim:
"..Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
Matt 11:27
"..even so the Son gives life to whom He will."
John 5:21
"..no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."
John 6:65
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you.."
John 15:16
"..whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Romans 8:30
"Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens." Romans 9:18
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God." (emphasis mine) Ephes 2:8
"The beast...will ascend out of the bottomless pit...And those who dwell on the earth will marvel who's name is
not written in the Book of Life
from the foundation of the world... (emphasis mine)
Revelation 17:8
Have I stated my case that concerning salvation,
God chooses, and not man. So no, this verse cannot be used to support the moral free agency of man. (concerning salvation)
In other regards, men have free will to choose who quickly or slowly they traverse the road to perdition. I can only humbly thank God I am not among their numbers.
catholicsoldier <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/takethat.gif" alt="" />
