The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who does the believing and repenting?

But that is NOT what Calvinism believes nor does the Bible teach such a thing either, i.e., "the human will is completely overtaken by God's power"!! This is typically what those antagonistic to Calvinism and the truth of Scripture charge Calvinists with believing. Sorry, but it simply isn't true. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Again.... man in his natural state is born with both an imputed guilt and an inherited corruption of nature. This depravity precludes any man from seeking God because the inclination of the heart/soul is toward sin. Put another way, the natural man has an insatiable desire, a hunger for sin and a complete hatred for God and righteousness. Thus comes the "inability" of the natural man to repent and believe. What person casts of what he loves most for something he hates and is thoroughly convinced he has no need of? No one! (Jh 6:44)

So, as a with a man who is born blind and who hates the light, so is the natural man toward God, Christ and righteousness. (Jh 3:19, 20; et al) What God does, is to "recreate" the will, i.e., the Spirit restores the soul, in principle, to that which it was in Adam before the Fall. Thus a new disposition/inclination is formed which hates sin, deeply desires reconciliation with God through the remission of sins and irresistibly turns to Christ, Who to the mind and affections of this new nature, is most lovely and Who alone is able to effect that which is most needed; salvation.

Thus, whereas the unregenerate man most "naturally" loves sin and hates God, the regenerate man most "naturally" hates sin and loves God. There is no forcing of the man's will for that which determines how the will acts (intellect and emotions/affections) is inclined toward God. There is certainly nothing unethical about God taking that which is only profitable to be cast into eternal hell and remaking it into a thing of beauty and priceless worth. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,