The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum true calvinism.......MJM please read

I think that Paul's words to the Ephesians, after he had explained the glory of their eternal predestination in Chapter 1 is more than sufficient to explain the condition of ALL men from birth:

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ASV) And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:--

Yes and no! Regeneration effects a radical change of nature; i.e., one's entire being is recreated, being given a predisposition that is inclined toward God. This just prior to (speaking of time) one's conversion. It is IN and BECAUSE of regeneration that one suddenly feels the need of salvation and the excellency of trusting in Christ as a means to receive remission of sins and reconciliation with God. To encapsulate the entire experience, we could say that after one is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, the sinner feels an insatiable desire to be united to God. And, at the same time, he/she experiences a conviction of the condemnation and guilt that separates them from God, i.e., sin; they are indeed helpless and hopeless sinners. And, it is also here that one finds Christ most lovely and desirable in and of Himself and as the only means by which they can be reconciled to God and receive the forgiveness of sins over which they mourn.

As averagefellar has already replied on this matter, it is not the scope of the "invitation" but rather the content of that invitation and all that it implies, i.e., "God has done everything he possibly can to save you; now it's up to you!". Also, I might add, that evangelists such as Billy Graham use unbiblical (aka: worldly) methodologies to gain "converts", e.g., Madison Avenue salesmanship techniques, psychological ploys which evoke the emotions, etc., etc. The results are the further hardening of sinners' hearts and a counterfeit assurance that they are right with God.

For a marvelous description of the differences between the "new gospel" and the biblical "old Gospel", see here: The Old Gospel and the New, by Dr. J.I. Packer.

In His Grace,