Is Calvinism a heresy?

[Xeno.of.athens]

Jesus who said Mark 11:23-24 - so it is not hyperbole.

Have you seen any mountains cast into the sea at the command of a Christian?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Basically, I take many of the Calvinists proof texts that talk about predestination as follows:

1. God fulfills His word.
2. The Bible addresses how God brought about Christ's redemption.
3. The Bible addresses how God brought about the Exodus. The failures, like Moses striking the rock twice and Israel's unbelief are not God's plan.
4. Predestination in Ephesians 1 deals with God predestinating the "faithful in Christ" (v1) to "adoption as sons" (v5). He is not talking about predestinating particular individuals, but a class of individuals (v1).
5. From the FOTW, Christ was slain (Revelations 13:8) for the purpose that those who believe will be adopted (Ephesians 1:1-14).

I agree with this. Being in communion with Christ - which is a way of saying being in Christ - is a community matter because those in Christ are also his body and the many parts of a body are nonetheless one body as saint Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30.

 

[John Mullally]

Have you seen any mountains cast into the sea at the command of a Christian?

No. But this is interesting story (2a - 2f): Mountain Moving Prayer Part I – Living in the Realm of the Miraculous

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

No.

If we go with your "No." answer, then we can ask "is what Jesus said about moving mountains 'literal' or is it illustrative or metaphorical?"

 

[maxamir]

You are saying that people are unable to respond to the Gospel without the Holy Spirit regenerating them first. That is a theory that is not explicitly stated in scripture. Even though man does not seek after God, God seeks after man. Post Calvary, Jesus draw all men to himself (John 12:32) and the Holy Spirit convicts the world (John 16:8). I assert that being born again is the same as receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 and being sealed by the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 1:13 and both of those occur after believing.

Their are many promises in the Bible addressed to all people or believers. If you meet the conditions, you can claim the benefit. God honors His word. The promises are in the word of God because He wants us to act on them and receive the benefit as we see in Acts 2:36-41 when 3000 were saved.

All of Scripture declares that man is spiritually dead and therefore can not come to Christ unless they are drawn to Him (John 6:44). This truth is then repeated by Christ in John 6:65 but you seek to avoid this.

At least you are finally admitting that man does not seek after God, but how can a man then choose that which he does not seek? The answer is as you have said, that God initiates salvation and He does this through the preaching of the Gospel to call His people to Himself. Many are called through this Gospel preaching but only a few are chosen (Matt 22:14). Those who are chosen are those whom God loves and they love Him because He first loved them (Pro 8:17, 1 Jn 4:19).

Christ came to die and raise Himself from the dead so that His people could be raised from the spiritual death and given the gift of repentance and faith which God justly commands from all.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Act_11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

2Ti_2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth

God's promises are given to His people whom He loves and saves and not to those who die in their sin and never come to repentance and faith because they were never born again by the grace of God to see the kingdom of God and their desperate need for Christ.

 

[John Mullally]

All of Scripture declares that man is spiritually dead and therefore can not come to Christ unless they are drawn to Him (John 6:44). This truth is then repeated by Christ in John 6:65 but you seek to avoid this.

In Luke 15:24, regarding the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the father declares: “‘…for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” So, being dead meant being lost, which did not prevent the son from returning home in pursuit of reconciliation. Being dead simply meant being alienated.

In Ephesians 2:11-13, being dead in sin is illustrated as follows: “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands--remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” The contextual concept of deadness, according to Ephesians 2:1-13, was not an inability to receive God’s gift to return to Him, but rather separation.

At least you are finally admitting that man does not seek after God, but how can a man then choose that which he does not seek? The answer is as you have said, that God initiates salvation and He does this through the preaching of the Gospel to call His people to Himself. Many are called through this Gospel preaching but only a few are chosen (Matt 22:14). Those who are chosen are those whom God loves and they love Him because He first loved them (Pro 8:17, 1 Jn 4:19).

Although man does not seek after God, God seeks after us, positioning Himself “not far from each one of us,” all for the purpose that mankind “would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him.” (Acts 17:26-28) The apostle Paul taught this in a sermon to evangelize lost, unbelievers. So, clearly, he thought that lost people could seek and find God, based solely on the principle of God positioning Himself near, so that He may be sought and found, and Paul didn’t mention anything to them about first needing a secret regeneration to change their will, nor did he say that God only desired the salvation of a secret society of “the elect” among them.

Christ came to die and raise Himself from the dead so that His people could be raised from the spiritual death and given the gift of repentance and faith which God justly commands from all.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Act_11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

2Ti_2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth

God's promises are given to His people whom He loves and saves and not to those who die in their sin and never come to repentance and faith because they were never born again by the grace of God to see the kingdom of God and their desperate need for Christ.

You assume God only draws and grants repentance to those who actually do repent. Acts 7:51 says that the Holy Spirit is commonly rejected. If the Holy Spirit can be resisted, so can any grace from God.

 

[Dan1988]

Basically, I take many of the Calvinists proof texts that talk about predestination as follows:

1. God fulfills His word.
2. The Bible addresses how God brought about Christ's redemption.
3. The Bible addresses how God brought about the Exodus. The failures, like Moses striking the rock twice and Israel's unbelief are not God's plan.
4. Predestination in Ephesians 1 deals with God predestinating the "faithful in Christ" (v1) to "adoption as sons" (v5). He is not talking about predestinating particular individuals, but a class of individuals (v1).
5. From the FOTW, Christ was slain (Revelations 13:8) for the purpose that those who believe will be adopted (Ephesians 1:1-14).

It is common to ridicule "the prosperity Gospel", but it is Jesus who said Mark 11:23-24 - so it is not hyperbole.

You still haven't dealt with the hard hitting verses which clearly say that God chose His elect before he created the world. And "all that the Father has given me shall come to me and nobody can snatch them out of my hand. There's over a hundred verses which state that salvation is all of the LORD, we can't superimpose our interpretation to God's Word, especially when it was given to us literally and not parabolically.

Mark 11:23-24 is obviously dealing with the prayers of the faithful. Jesus wasn't speaking parabolically when He said we could cast mountains into the sea, we could cast mountains into the sea if we had faith. Jesus was making the point that we just don't have faith and that's why our prayers go unanswered.

You presume that man is autonomous and that God's people can do things which are "not God's plan". I've never read anything in the Bible to support that view either. I did read that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground apart from His will, I also read that our whole lives are predestined in every way. God sets the perimeters of our life, so we will stay within those perimeters and there's no way we can cross them.

I get the sense that we have very different views of who God is and what He can do and what He can't do, who He loves and who He hates. Some falsely claim that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. I've never found anything in the Bible to justify such a heretical doctrine. What I do find is God hating individuals before they're born, yes before they committed any sins at all.

These are some of the Bible doctrines, which prosperity preachers won't address, they just ignore them and further condemn themselves

 

[Valletta]

It's all well and good to quote all the passages of scripture which support your Arminian, "free will gospel". It would be helpful to hear your view on the many scriptures which support the Calvinist view.

We never understand the gospel, if we cherry pick the Bible and ignore the awful truths which don't support what our particular denomination teaches. We need to embrace the whole counsel of God, but I don't find many Churches teaching the whole ugly truth. I understand Church leaders run their Churches like a business, they're like used car salesman with monthly sales targets so they're afraid to preach against sin and false doctrine.

We see all the large Churches preaching the "name it and claim it" prosperity gospel, while those who preach the whole counsel of God have very small numbers. The wicked prosper in this world, while the followers of Christ suffer persecution and many are martyred. It's hard to distinguish the Church from the world these days.

The church is divided in to so many different denominations, with different confession and all have opposing views while claiming to possess the truth of the gospel. The Bible does say, "let God be true and every man a liar", but what we see in our time is everyone boasting about their own wisdom and flying their denominational colors proudly. How did pride even sneak into the Church, aren't we supposed to be humble and loving towards the weaker brother.

I don't believe in forcing my view upon anyone, I would like to have fellowship with true believers. I appreciate it's hard to deal with those scriptures which don't support our particular view. This is why God needs to squash us like a potter would a faulty clay vessel and start again. We can become our own worst stumbling blocks when we become hardened with a wrong understanding.

I came out of Roman Catholicism and I tried to share the gospel with my uncle, who rejected it. His reasoning was that he'd spent his entire life as a practicing Roman Catholic, and he will continue as such until he dies. He said I've invested my whole life in that faith and I refuse to hear any other alternative religious view at my age. I'm sticking with it even if it is a false religion as you say it is.

My uncle's situation is very common, I've found most people have that same attitude regardless of their religion. We're all in danger of developing a hardened heart, it has very tragic consequences.

Your uncle was born again and saved through the sacrament of Baptism and had heard the Gospel for virtually his whole life. Many who were with Jesus walked away from Jesus because they did not believe His teaching on his true Body and Blood. Good for your uncle to remain steadfast in his faith in Our Lord.

 

[John Mullally]

You still haven't dealt with the hard hitting verses which clearly say that God chose His elect before he created the world. And "all that the Father has given me shall come to me and nobody can snatch them out of my hand. There's over a hundred verses which state that salvation is all of the LORD, we can't superimpose our interpretation to God's Word, especially when it was given to us literally and not parabolically.

Is the "all that Father has given me shall come to me" referring to His disciples? In Luke 6:12-16, Jesus spend the night in prayer and in the morning Jesus designates the twelve. Post Calvary, Jesus draws all men to Himself (John 12:32).

You assume that God elects particular people from the FOTW, I am saying He elects from the FOTW, a class of people as opposed to particular individuals. The class He elects are those who are "In Christ". Those who are In Christ meet the terms for salvation as delineated in scattered portions of the NT (John 3:14-20, Mark 16:15-16, Romans 2:36-41, Romans 10:6-13, and more).

Mark 11:23-24 is obviously dealing with the prayers of the faithful. Jesus wasn't speaking parabolically when He said we could cast mountains into the sea, we could cast mountains into the sea if we had faith. Jesus was making the point that we just don't have faith and that's why our prayers go unanswered.

The point was not Jesus berating His disciples for not having faith as He commands them to have faith in God in the previous verse (v22).

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus said. 23 “What I’m about to tell you is true. Suppose someone says to this mountain, ‘Go and throw yourself into the sea.’ They must not doubt in their heart. They must believe that what they say will happen. Then it will be done for them. 24 So I tell you, when you pray for something, believe that you have already received it. Then it will be yours.​

You presume that man is autonomous and that God's people can do things which are "not God's plan". I've never read anything in the Bible to support that view either. I did read that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground apart from His will, I also read that our whole lives are predestined in every way. God sets the perimeters of our life, so we will stay within those perimeters and there's no way we can cross them.

I get the sense that we have very different views of who God is and what He can do and what He can't do, who He loves and who He hates. Some falsely claim that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. I've never found anything in the Bible to justify such a heretical doctrine. What I do find is God hating individuals before they're born, yes before they committed any sins at all.

I view God's plan for individuals as what God would like to do for them - many non-Calvinists term that as "God's Perfect Will". Jeremiah states God's Perfect Will for the Jews returning from exile in Jeremiah 29:11 some 80 or so years in the future. And yet that did not apply to many returning from exile because of the effects of sin.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.​

You presume that man is autonomous and that God's people can do things which are "not God's plan". I've never read anything in the Bible to support that view either. I did read that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground apart from His will, I also read that our whole lives are predestined in every way. God sets the perimeters of our life, so we will stay within those perimeters and there's no way we can cross them.

I get the sense that we have very different views of who God is and what He can do and what He can't do, who He loves and who He hates. Some falsely claim that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. I've never found anything in the Bible to justify such a heretical doctrine. What I do find is God hating individuals before they're born, yes before they committed any sins at all.

These are some of the Bible doctrines, which prosperity preachers won't address, they just ignore them and further condemn themselves

God does not plan for anyone to go to Hell. In Matthew 24:41 when the evil are damned, Christ says that Hell was created for the devil and His angels. If God planned for some people to go to Hell, then Jesus would have had to add man to that list. Remember "For God so loved the world, that he gave ..." (John 3:16), and "God desires all people to be saved ..." (1 Timothy 2:4).

 

[jameslouise]

View attachment 330262

I read the first row of these and not one of them did as it says in the title imo?? The rest I will, therefore, ignore.
I agree with John Mullally completely. Please be specific.

I also note that I told you of specific scripture that disproves the Calvinist viewpoint and that shows that man has absolute control over his salvation. Why didnt you ask for it?

@johnmullally- I still find your interpretation of Eph 1:4 not understandable. How are we in Christ before a time called the Foundation of the world?

 

[John Mullally]

I read the first row of these and not one of them did as it says in the title imo?? The rest I will, therefore, ignore.
I agree with John Mullally completely. Please be specific.

I also note that I told you of specific scripture that disproves the Calvinist viewpoint and that shows that man has absolute control over his salvation. Why didnt you ask for it?

@johnmullally- I still find your interpretation of Eph 1:4 not understandable. How are we in Christ before a time called the Foundation of the world?

We are not In Christ until we believe the Gospel message. Ephesians 1:13 shows the progression: Listen, Believe, Marked In Him.

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,​

​

If someone reads the first half of Ephesians 1:4, they might think favored people are "predestined" to be "In Him" as it has those words. But that argument falls apart when they examine the surrounding context (i.e. all of Ephesians 1:1-14) - mainly because Ephesians is addressed to the "faithful in Christ" and the verses surrounding Ephesians 1:4 speaks of a progression of blessings for the "faithful in Christ".

 

[maxamir]

I read the first row of these and not one of them did as it says in the title imo?? The rest I will, therefore, ignore.
I agree with John Mullally completely. Please be specific.

I also note that I told you of specific scripture that disproves the Calvinist viewpoint and that shows that man has absolute control over his salvation. Why didnt you ask for it?

@johnmullally- I still find your interpretation of Eph 1:4 not understandable. How are we in Christ before a time called the Foundation of the world?

The below illustration makes very plain the difference between the two camps.

Please share with me what Scripture you think that says otherwise but before doing so, I ask you to please read Ezekiel 37 carefully and ask yourself whether the spiritually dead dry bones were able to live by themself without God first breathing on them?

 

[John Mullally]

The below illustration makes very plain the difference between the two camps.

Please share with me what Scripture you think that says otherwise but before doing so, I ask you to please read Ezekiel 37 carefully and ask yourself whether the spiritually dead dry bones were able to live by themself without God first breathing on them?

View attachment 330292

Ezekiel 37 is speaking about Israel - as verses 11 & 12 specifically says "Israel".

The arguments you put forward for Armenians (green background) has problems - the main one being that Non-Calvinist Evangelicals don't think in terms of a systematic theological framework like TULIP. Generally, sermons and debates on a topic go directly to scripture and their are different opinions of course on some subjects. Their is a general agreement on Soteriology. Their is much diversity on the operation of the Gifts of the Spirit today. Some believe in Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) and some don't - as your chart indicates. Non-Calvinists tend to use a different vocabulary. You will not hear Free Will frequently discussed as it is assumed given the Bibles use of persuasion and its many directives, and also from our human experience of choosing. You won't hear the term Election, but you will hear about people being saved or lost. God's love for humanity is not questioned primarily because of John 3:16.

Other misunderstandings of Armenians column from your chart:

• Most non-Calvinist Evangelicals cannot be classified as "Arminians" or "Semi-Pelagians". You won't hear any discussion of Prevenient Grace which Arminius taught. Few lay people know who those two are.
• T: Freedom results from submission to the Holy Spirit not one's natural ability or will power.
• U: Faith comes from hearing the Gospel message (Romans 10:17) and we all choose what we listen to and what we dismiss.
• L: The atonement is given for all but only received by believing the Gospel. It puts away sin for believers.
• I: The new birth (or regeneration) follows believing the Gospel. Acts 7:51 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says that men can resist and quench the Holy Spirit.

 

[zoidar]

You are replying to a conversation I am having with James and not yourself. You have proven many times over that your heart is still proud, denying the true fallen state of man and are therefore blinded by God to the plain truth of Scripture which you have refused to acknowledge as being inspired, infallible and inerrant. I therefore refuse to continue any conversation with yourself lest you be made even more accountable before God and further fattened unto His just slaughter. I sincerely hope and pray that instead, you will be humbled this side of eternity by the Scriptures that have already been given you.

For those who are Berean, I challenge to read the many points made below that biblically exposes the heresy of Arminianism.

NUTS FOR ARMINIANS TO CRACK By Elder J.B. Hardy, Sr (1837 – 1913)

That are some serious allegations you make against John Mullally.

 

[jameslouise]

I ask you to please read Ezekiel 37 carefully and ask yourself whether the spiritually dead dry bones were able to live by themself without God first breathing on them?

I have read the Ezekiel passage and assume you look at is a 'type' of all men , which it may be but even if it is, it does not say in any parallel form that man does not have any say in the matter. Also Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, seems to explain the metaphor being used is for Israel.

heart is still proud, denying the true fallen state of man and are therefore blinded by God to the plain truth of Scripture which you have refused to acknowledge as being inspired, infallible and inerrant.

Let's be clear, i think all in this talk will be in heaven and we are just sharpening each other. Pro 27:17

Please share with me what Scripture you think that says otherwise but before doing so

Gladly, I have spent 10 years prayerfully researching Genesis 1 and 2, and I pray that you will see the truth of the insight given to me.
There is a prophetic thread running through Gen 1 and 2 and from this I can tell that (just from these chapters and noting else)
The Holy Spirit will begin and action man’s salvation process by ‘working’ upon man’s spirit and this will be His role throughout.
I can tell that God the Father will purpose man’s salvation and that He will send forth Jesus as a man and The Holy Spirit.
I can tell that Jesus accomplishes man’s salvation.
I can tell that man will not recognize Jesus as God until He is saved.
I can tell The Holy Spirit will carry with him the ‘indwelling package’ and give this to saved man.
I can tell Jesus will be the light of the world and after salvation He will be the light of the saved man’s life too and He will be placed within the saved man’s spirit. I can also tell that The Holy Spirit will be placed in there too and will guide saved men as to what is right and what is wrong.
I can tell that The Holy Spirit will give to man, as well as the indwellings, some additional and specific spiritual gifts to some and not others.
I can tell God the Father purposes The Holy Spirit to use man’s gifts to spread the Gospel and evangelise.
I can tell that man will need The Holy Spirit and the company of other saved men for spiritual growth.
I can tell man will be remade in Christ’s image and will be a new creation in Christ.
And also much more

But most pertinently to our talk I can tell that man will make the choice to be saved and that God wants all men saved. This is from Gen 1 26-30 and the use of the word 'dominion' within it. The meaning of which is unequivocal. I can show how dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, is a direct reference to man's 'dominion' over the work of The Holy Spirit and the indwellings.

Genesis Similitudes

Declaration of interest: the web site is my own work- not been proof read yet so bear with me as I just wanted to get it out there ASAP but it is I believe proof against two core Calvinist tenets.There is no doubt in my mind

@John Mullally
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world (FOTW), that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
Your stance seems to be that God chooses man before Genesis 6 days but prophecies that we will be in Christ? So,, I suggest to you that the plain text meaning is not as you interpret it. The plain text is we are actually 'in him' before a time called the FOTW. Do you concede that is a valid interpretation?

 

[John Mullally]

@John Mullally
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world (FOTW), that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
Your stance seems to be that God chooses man before Genesis 6 days but prophecies that we will be in Christ? So,, I suggest to you that the plain text meaning is not as you interpret it. The plain text is we are actually 'in him' before a time called the FOTW. Do you concede that is a valid interpretation?

Ephesians 1:1 says that Paul's letter to the Ephesians is addressed to the "faithful in Christ" - so everywhere you see Paul use the word "us" or "you" in that letter, he is talking about the "faithful in Christ".

My stance: From the FOTW, Christ was crucified (Revelations 13:8) and it was predetermined (same meaning as chose or predestined) that those who are "In Christ" will be holy and adopted as sons with all the benefits that entails - as elsewhere we see that Christ's crucifixion only benefits those who believe (John 3:15), Entry into being "In Christ" does not occur from the FOTW, it occurs upon believing the Gospel message.

Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—​

​

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,​

​

I don't find any scripture that explicitly says that God decides which individuals will be believe the Gospel and thus be saved. If that was important, I would expect that to be explicitly stated.

 

[maxamir]

That are some serious allegations you make against John Mullally.

I do not make such allegations lightly.

 

[maxamir]

I have read the Ezekiel passage and assume you look at is a 'type' of all men , which it may be but even if it is, it does not say in any parallel form that man does not have any say in the matter. Also Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, seems to explain the metaphor being used is for Israel.

Let's be clear, i think all in this talk will be in heaven and we are just sharpening each other. Pro 27:17

Gladly, I have spent 10 years prayerfully researching Genesis 1 and 2, and I pray that you will see the truth of the insight given to me.
There is a prophetic thread running through Gen 1 and 2 and from this I can tell that (just from these chapters and noting else)
The Holy Spirit will begin and action man’s salvation process by ‘working’ upon man’s spirit and this will be His role throughout.
I can tell that God the Father will purpose man’s salvation and that He will send forth Jesus as a man and The Holy Spirit.
I can tell that Jesus accomplishes man’s salvation.
I can tell that man will not recognize Jesus as God until He is saved.
I can tell The Holy Spirit will carry with him the ‘indwelling package’ and give this to saved man.
I can tell Jesus will be the light of the world and after salvation He will be the light of the saved man’s life too and He will be placed within the saved man’s spirit. I can also tell that The Holy Spirit will be placed in there too and will guide saved men as to what is right and what is wrong.
I can tell that The Holy Spirit will give to man, as well as the indwellings, some additional and specific spiritual gifts to some and not others.
I can tell God the Father purposes The Holy Spirit to use man’s gifts to spread the Gospel and evangelise.
I can tell that man will need The Holy Spirit and the company of other saved men for spiritual growth.
I can tell man will be remade in Christ’s image and will be a new creation in Christ.
And also much more

But most pertinently to our talk I can tell that man will make the choice to be saved and that God wants all men saved. This is from Gen 1 26-30 and the use of the word 'dominion' within it. The meaning of which is unequivocal. I can show how dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, is a direct reference to man's 'dominion' over the work of The Holy Spirit and the indwellings.

Genesis Similitudes

Declaration of interest: the web site is my own work- not been proof read yet so bear with me as I just wanted to get it out there ASAP but it is I believe proof against two core Calvinist tenets.There is no doubt in my mind

@John Mullally
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world (FOTW), that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
Your stance seems to be that God chooses man before Genesis 6 days but prophecies that we will be in Christ? So,, I suggest to you that the plain text meaning is not as you interpret it. The plain text is we are actually 'in him' before a time called the FOTW. Do you concede that is a valid interpretation?

The Old Testament is full of shadows and types which point to Christ and Israel is such a type which points to all of God's chosen people throughout the world and not just one nation. The dead bones illustrate the spiritually dead state of those within Israel which is the status of all mankind which died spiritually in Adam as the Lord had warned (Gen 2:17).

God does not change and neither does His image and likeness which man had completely lost as evidenced in Gen 5:3 and Gen 6:5 and can only be restored by grace through faith in Christ (Rom 8:29) who are new creatures (2 Cor 5:17) because they used to belong to Satan to whom they were slaves but have been adopted into God's family by being born again by God who gives them that faith (Phil 1:29) by grace (Eph 2:8). Dead people can not choose life.

Rom 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS; THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS AFTER GOD.

To say that man who was given dominion in the garden still has it, is contrary to Scripture that says the Satan is the god of this cursed world (2 Cor 4:4). If this was not true, then he could not have tempted Christ below.

Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Mat 4:9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

Luk 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Luk 4:7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours."

 

[maxamir]

Declaration of interest: the web site is my own work- not been proof read yet so bear with me as I just wanted to get it out there ASAP but it is I believe proof against two core Calvinist tenets.There is no doubt in my mind

I had a look at your work but must confess that I lost a lot of interest when reading the first title confirming your adherence to Gap Theory and would recommend you read the many articles found below.

Gap Theory - Answers in Genesis

 

[jameslouise]

John Mullally states :I don't find any scripture that explicitly says that God decides which individuals will be believe the Gospel and thus be saved. If that was important, I would expect that to be explicitly stated

I agree but you are missing my point, Let me try a different approach
Acts 17 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring
In who?
who is we?
when were 'we' there-when is this time of old prophets?
Why are we there because we are his offspring?
'Also',- does the also mean we are in some else