Actual statements by synergists

[Skala]

I've collected some actual sayings by synergists over the years, that I have heard them say in discussion about theology. Allow me to share some of them with you.

"I'd rather salvation be in man's hands than God's hands"

"You say you are a saint because of Him. I say you are a saint because of both you and Him"

S: "I gave up on Calvinism long ago"
M: "You mean you gave up on the idea that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to save you?"
S: "Yep."

"The Bible says no such thing in any way shape or form. The Bible actually teaches that God is NOT sovereign, and that God is NOT in control. The doctrine known as "the sovereignty of God" is of THE DEVIL."

"In ... synergism ... the difference is within the man" (not God's grace)

"God doesn't intend to kill people with natural disasters... it's just the weather."

NC = Non-Calvinist
Me: Do you pray that God will open men's hearts to believe the gospel?
NC: Yes I do.
Me: How would this make you different from a Calvinist?
NC: I guess I will have to change the way I pray.

"It's not God that saves us, it's that we must save ourselves. If we don't change, then God cannot save us."

(regarding the difference between the saved and the lost)
"The difference is in us, not God's grace."
"Grace is NOT what makes a believer differ from an unbeliever"

"Are all choices the act of choosing?"

 

[Skala]

Well, that was breviloquent.

 

[Near]

Without me I cant be saved.

However, that is not to say I save myself.

Rather, if I were non-existent, there would be no saving of me, since I would not exist.

 

[pshun2404]

Well, that was .

Yes, and also not representative of the doctrinal position, as every theological perspective has its absurd borderline extremists...

 

[Ignatius21]

Which synergists?

 

[DeaconDean]

Posted this week:

God needs man to exist.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Jack Terrence]

I've collected some actual sayings by synergists over the years, that I have heard them say in discussion about theology. Allow me to share some of them with you.

"I'd rather salvation be in man's hands than God's hands"

"You say you are a saint because of Him. I say you are a saint because of both you and Him"

S: "I gave up on Calvinism long ago"
M: "You mean you gave up on the idea that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to save you?"
S: "Yep."

"The Bible says no such thing in any way shape or form. The Bible actually teaches that God is NOT sovereign, and that God is NOT in control. The doctrine known as "the sovereignty of God" is of THE DEVIL."

At least they're logical.

 

[Skala]

Added another statement to the OP.

 

[pshun2404]

Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will. But how He has revealed this I do not recount in human language, but in divine. There is, to begin with, the fact that God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he had free choice of will, so that by performing them he might obtain the promised rewards. For they are given that no one might be able to plead the excuse of ignorance...Saint Augustine

 

[Skala]

Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will. But how He has revealed this I do not recount in human language, but in divine. There is, to begin with, the fact that God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he had free choice of will, so that by performing them he might obtain the promised rewards. For they are given that no one might be able to plead the excuse of ignorance...Saint Augustine

Amen! Man has the power to choose what he desires!

Nobody here has ever denied such a thing, my brother Paul.

Do you really not understand the issues after all this time?

 

[guuila]

Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will. But how He has revealed this I do not recount in human language, but in divine. There is, to begin with, the fact that God's precepts themselves would be of no use to a man unless he had free choice of will, so that by performing them he might obtain the promised rewards. For they are given that no one might be able to plead the excuse of ignorance...Saint Augustine

The fundamental problem isn't the will. It's the heart. The desires of the heart are evil. Natural man does not desire Christ. Therefore, the will chooses against Christ. The desires of the heart must be changed. Once that happens, the will wills aright. The only cure for this disease is grace, and grace is so powerful and amazing that it actually works. Not sure why you have a problem with that.

 

[Skala]

Bump with a new quote! Enjoy!

 

[Jack Terrence]

NC = Non-Calvinist

Me: Do you pray that God will open men's hearts to believe the gospel?
NC: Yes I do.
Me: How would this make you different from a Calvinist?
NC: I guess I will have to change the way I pray.

 

[Skala]

NC = Non-Calvinist

Me: Do you pray that God will open men's hearts to believe the gospel?
NC: Yes I do.
Me: How would this make you different from a Calvinist?
NC: I guess I will have to change the way I pray.

Thanks! Will add this fine sample to the OP.

 

[FreeGrace2]

I've collected some actual sayings by synergists over the years, that I have heard them say in discussion about theology. Allow me to share some of them with you.

"I'd rather salvation be in man's hands than God's hands"

"You say you are a saint because of Him. I say you are a saint because of both you and Him"

S: "I gave up on Calvinism long ago"
M: "You mean you gave up on the idea that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to save you?"
S: "Yep."

"The Bible says no such thing in any way shape or form. The Bible actually teaches that God is NOT sovereign, and that God is NOT in control. The doctrine known as "the sovereignty of God" is of THE DEVIL."

"In ... synergism ... the difference is within the man" (not God's grace)

"God doesn't intend to kill people with natural disasters... it's just the weather."

NC = Non-Calvinist
Me: Do you pray that God will open men's hearts to believe the gospel?
NC: Yes I do.
Me: How would this make you different from a Calvinist?
NC: I guess I will have to change the way I pray.

Thanks for the list. This list is WHY I am not one of them.

 

[FreeGrace2]

The fundamental problem isn't the will. It's the heart.

And the Bible informs us that man 'believes from his heart'. That's where it comes from. Further, God created mankind with a conscience to know right from wrong (Rom 2:14).

The desires of the heart are evil. Natural man does not desire Christ. Therefore, the will chooses against Christ.

There are no verses that claim universality of this. Sure, there are many that fit this description, but not everyone. The claim is therefore untrue.

 

[guuila]

There are no verses that claim universality of this.

Wrong! Observe:

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.(Psalm 14:1-3 ESV)

Sure, there are many that fit this description, but not everyone. The claim is therefore untrue.

Wrong! Observe:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)

 

[FreeGrace2]

Wrong! Observe:

I will prove I'm right. Observe:

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.(Psalm 14:1-3 ESV)

Does the Bible refer to all of mankind as "fools". No. The subject of Psa 14 and 53:1-3 are atheists (fools), not all of mankind.

It is a mistake to take Rom 3:10 (Paul's quote of psa 14/53:1-3 and apply it to everyone.

Wrong! Observe:

I will prove I'm right. Observe:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)

The verse doesn't refer to the gospel as commonly misunderstood. The key in that context is v.6 and 10. Paul was bringing a "message of wisdom among the (spiritually) mature" and about the "deep things of God".

It is advanced doctrine that the man without the Spirit cannot discern. Not the gospel.

We know this is true because God created mankind to seek Him (Acts 17:26-27) and He gave mankind a conscience with which to know right from wrong.

It would make no sense for God to create mankind to seek Him but not allow him to understand the gospel.

 

[Skala]

Dear FG2:

Based on our discussions over the past months, I can't help but think that you actually agree with all the statements documented in the OP.

Kind regards,

Skala

 

[FreeGrace2]

Dear FG2:

Based on our discussions over the past months, I can't help but think that you actually agree with all the statements documented in the OP.

How in the world could that be your conclusion, given what I've actually posted?

In fact, the reason I don't associate myself with synergists is precisely because of those kinds of erroneous comments.

I am aware that many of the Arminian pursuasion, as well as the reformed persuasion, simply cannot conceive of any other position than the other, and I've been clear on how I'm neither. Is that what makes you think that I would agree with the statements in the OP?