One of the frustrations in "theological debate", is when a verse has been proven to not assert what someone thought it asserted --- but regardless of how many times that proof is given, that same verse keeps getting cited as if it's never been discussed. Can we "put to rest" all the Calvinistic assertions about this verse?
"A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Many Calvinists read this and think, "Ah-HAH! Natural men cannot believe savingly in Christ, therefore regeneration MUST come FIRST!"
Paul's intent is clear when we read verse 12:
"We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God."
Let's see if we can agree on certain absolutes.
1. The THINGS in verse 12, are the same THINGS as in verse 14.
2. Those things, are revealed by the RECEIVED Spirit.
2b. The Spirit is received, and THEN spiritual things are revealed.
3. The Spirit is not received BEFORE belief.
4. Therefore, "saving-faith" can NOT be one of the "things" in verse 12 & 14.
That's what Paul said. Calvinists cite the verse with this sequence:
Because it is the RECEIVED-BY-BELIEF Spirit who reveals spiritual THINGS, those "things" can NOT include "saving-belief in Jesus".
Thus one of four eventualities MUST occur:
1. Explain how the Spirit is received BEFORE a person believes in Jesus
2. Explain how "belief" can occur at any time EXCEPT after "understand-spiritual-things"
3. Accept that "receive" dictates that belief occurs BEFORE "understand-spiritual-things"
4. Ignore this post, pretend Paul did NOT place "receive" before "understand-spiritual-things", keep citing 1Cor2:14 as if it's never been exposed to NOT be "Calvinistic".
I'm linking a poll here --- "refuted" (in Calvinistic understanding), or "NOT-refuted" (you'll be expected to explain in detail, why not)...
"A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Many Calvinists read this and think, "Ah-HAH! Natural men cannot believe savingly in Christ, therefore regeneration MUST come FIRST!"
Paul's intent is clear when we read verse 12:
"We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God."
Let's see if we can agree on certain absolutes.
1. The THINGS in verse 12, are the same THINGS as in verse 14.
2. Those things, are revealed by the RECEIVED Spirit.
2b. The Spirit is received, and THEN spiritual things are revealed.
3. The Spirit is not received BEFORE belief.
4. Therefore, "saving-faith" can NOT be one of the "things" in verse 12 & 14.
Believe -> receive-Spirit -> understand spiritual things
That's what Paul said. Calvinists cite the verse with this sequence:
regeneration -> understand-spiritual-things -> believe-receive-Spirit
Because it is the RECEIVED-BY-BELIEF Spirit who reveals spiritual THINGS, those "things" can NOT include "saving-belief in Jesus".
Thus one of four eventualities MUST occur:
1. Explain how the Spirit is received BEFORE a person believes in Jesus
2. Explain how "belief" can occur at any time EXCEPT after "understand-spiritual-things"
3. Accept that "receive" dictates that belief occurs BEFORE "understand-spiritual-things"
4. Ignore this post, pretend Paul did NOT place "receive" before "understand-spiritual-things", keep citing 1Cor2:14 as if it's never been exposed to NOT be "Calvinistic".
I'm linking a poll here --- "refuted" (in Calvinistic understanding), or "NOT-refuted" (you'll be expected to explain in detail, why not)...
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