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J_Edwards said:
JoeK,,

The will can be convinced by means -- and that by very tough means (the meaning in James), but never forced -- not even by God. There is not a single Scripture that reveals that God forces the will. However, He does irresistibly convince the will.

Respectfully, there is more to being in line with historic Christianity than merely knowing the definition of a term, there is also the proper application of all terms in interpretation and a rational explanation proceeding there-forth-- this is where you are falling short.

Read: Freedom of the Will by Edwards.

Why is it my flesh boils when I am told I fall short, or study more, or I am some sort of Freshman. I wish I could curtail these emotions.

I gues sthe interenet provides a new venue for the enlightened ecclesiastical authority.

No disrestect Joe. I can read till the cows come home. The cumbersome edwards et all and still result with the same conclusion.

You appear to be equating the word force with malicious intent on my part. Ill tell you what, it is more than a wooing as so many reformers describe it. Words have meanings. Your last paragraph is too hard for me. The Gospel is much eaier than that. And I dont feel that if I say God forces the will of the unregenerate to love Him, that I wrest the writ to my own destruction. Especially when I find the word draw means exactly that. WHen I find His will oversoming mans will all the time in the writ, and yet still blames man for sin. That I dont have an answer for. But I can rest comfortably with the words of the inspired Paul in Romans 9.

19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?


The will is not always willing even if it makes the choice that gives it the strongest impulse. Just becasue these men went in front of the judge, does not mean they chose to do it. After being dragged. Even if they went limp and cried uncle, their desire/volition/will/choice remained not to go

There never was a sinner half as big as Christ is as a Savior.