I'm sort of a Calvinist atheist (how's that for a contradiction in terms?) It's based on the idea of a god who is claimed to be sovereign, and has a plan for the universe. If such a god exists, could anything happen that is not part of this god's grand plan? And--by logical extension-- wouldn't that plan include who believes, and who doesn't?
I think that depends on whether you believe in the concept of 'free will' and allow for it.
I don't assume this god owes me anything. I think that if a totally sovereign, omnipotent diety truly exists, then it has already decided the matter of my belief. And that of everyone else.
That makes it sound like we're preprogrammed robots without any latitude for free will.
Don't even non-Calvinist Christians teach that faith is a gift?
I think they tend to include the concept of choice in there somewhere. Most topics in science include a fair amount of ambiguity and 'doubt' unless they are forms of pure empirical physics. I think faith tends to be a subjective choice at some point, even faith in various scientific hypotheses.
And that Christians can share the gospel, but only the Holy Spirit can convict someone of belief.
I would tend to agree. Logically however we can tie ourselves up in knots if we so "choose".
Well, if that's true, then I will become a believer, if God has ordained it as part of my life. Like I said, it would be an act of God. But as for now, how would it please God if I claimed to believe, but really had overwhelming doubts?
I think it would be more pleasing to simply be honest with your doubts which ever way you go. I've personally walked both sides of that street at different times in my life, so I see nothing wrong with holding reasonable doubts, both toward religions ideas and scientific ideas. Honest skepticism is healthy IMO as long as it doesn't torment you.
I don't want to get off-topic, but how can any believer know he's accepted God by his own free will?
I can really only speak as it relates to my life. I had to reach a point in my life as an atheist where I realized that I didn't have an honest scientific answer, and I may never have such an answer in terms of 'absolute evidence', but I did make a conscious effort to learn how to meditate and take time to pray, even without "conviction" at first. It was the experiences that came from those efforts which "convinced" me. That came from that conscious choice and that effort.
I loved the suggestion about applying the teachings of Christ to one's life and loving one's enemies, because that "test" tends to facilitate the same types of experiences in a very direct and meaningful way. Even as a humanitarian, it's a wonderful way to live one's life and very selfless and noble way to live one's life.
Isn't it possible that God arranged the circumstances under which his faith was realized?
Sure, but don't you think we as individuals have some say in those arrangements somewhere along the way?
Every time I've wanted to learn something about a subject, I've had to make an effort to study the idea, read about it, and put some effort into it. Ignorance is free, but it's usually not bliss.
It doesn't really matter which topic we're discussing, if I've wanted to learn about any topic, I've had to make the effort.
Or maybe God was subconsciously directing him. It's happened before. The Bible says God hardened Pharaoh's heart against releasing the Hebrews from slavery. How can a believer really know if his faith is his choice, or God's?
Maybe it's not an either/or proposition in the first place. Parent's don't tend to micromanage every detail of their children's lives, and the child would ultimately resent it if they tried. Parents can be loving, kind, knowledgeable and helpful, without trying to be in full control of all of their children's choices in life. I'm pretty sure that applies to way God treats all of his children.