Calvinism

Pro claimed that Total Depravity (here called Total Inability) is contradicted by Ephesians 1:13, John 1:12 and John 3:16, "where God saves those who believe, not those who He chooses". Rebuttal on Total Depravity: Ephesians 1:13 (In Context) - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth , the gospel of your salvation (point 1): in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (point 2), Point 1.> We trusted God after we heard the Gospel. We can cross-reference this passage to Romans 10:17, which states: "So then, faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Very clearly, faith comes to you after hearing the powerful word of God. If you wish, we can cross-reference the origin of faith also. In Romans 12:3 Paul states:For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. You may think you chose to believe but the word of God tells me that you heard the Gospel (which is not yours). The Gospel caused faith to come to you (you did not come to faith) and that the faith you needed to believe came from God, as he gave you a certain measure (or amount). As a final thought on this, you may review Hebrews 12:2, which states: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The Gospel that called you to God is not yours. (Property of God). The faith in your heart is not yours. (Property of God). You did not create any portion of faith. (Authored and made perfect by God). You own nothing in your own salvation. "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling." - Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778 Point 2.> We where sealed with the Spirit after we believed. As outlined in point 1, faith comes from God so this assertion no longer suits your case, but rather mine. Consider 1 John 4:19 which states: We love him, because he first loved us. Ephesians 1:13 affirmed through reformed theology. _______________________________________________________________________ John 1:12 (In context): - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Amazing passage. Why did you you quote this again? to them gave he power to become the sons of God. This is not a passage of self-sufficiency. This passage embellishes that Jesus (God) gave you the power to become a son of God. So, not by your own power but by God's power do you come to salvation. Simple. John 1:12 affirmed through reformed theology. _______________________________________________________________________ John 3:16 (In context): - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let me get this straight: God loved the world enough to give his only son to save you, the he gives you the Gospel, he gives the faith to believe it and he gives the spirit to guide you and you still think you have a chapter to write in your own salvation? How does this verse make you responsible for any portion of it? You would have to ignore the BIBLE to make this work. Yes, this verse states that we need to believe to receive everlasting life but in another book of the Bible, we find out where this faith comes from. Are you going to delete Hebrews, 1 John, Romans and the entire old testament because the idea of a fully sufficient savior bothers your feelings of autonomy? John 3:16 affirmed through reformed theology. _______________________________________________________________________ Rebuttal on Unconditional Election: 2 Peter 3:9 (In Context): - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Another wonderful scripture. This text gets thrown at Calvinist like a "finishing move" in Mortal Combat. If only it where so easy to dispose of the truth. Alas, it is not. When this text states that "all" should come to repentance, it's not speaking globally, much like when "a teacher is getting ready to start a class and asks his students, "Are all here?" [1] Read this passage carefully: God is "longsuffering to us"," not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should come to repentance." How do I know this? By reading the 1st sentence of this scripture. 2 Peter 1:1 states: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: This message is not for the world, this message is for those who would hear the Gospel and come to faith. If this scripture had claimed: "to everyone who by their own will chooses precious faith with us through our own righteousness:" then I could see your point. Unfortunately, Peter clearly states that this letter is to his "beloved" and the "elect", who have obtained precious faith through the righteousness of God, not themselves. 2 Peter 3:9 affirmed through reformed theology. _______________________________________________________________________ Rebuttal on Limited Atonement: 1 John 2:2 (In Context):- And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. This passage is so flagrantly misused to battle Limited Atonement, that it makes my head spin with anger. How could people just regurgitate a single scripture without having studied it, cross-referenced it, looked upon the original Greek or even taking the simple step of understanding whom this letter is for? To start, let's cross reference this scripture to John 11:51. [2]It is apparent that the "whole world" is a reference to "not just Jews, but Gentiles also".We can cross-reference this again with: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. - Isaiah 11:10 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. -Matthew 12:18 Then we must acquire evidence to support that salvation is limited to his church: He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. - Isaiah 53:8 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. - Acts 20:28 1 John 2:2 affirmed through reformed theology. _______________________________________________________________________ Food for thought from Jacob Arminius: "After the reading of Scripture, which I strenuously inculcate, and more than any other ... I recommend that the Commentaries of Calvin be read ... For I affirm that in the interpretation of the Scriptures Calvin is incomparable, and that his Commentaries are more to be valued than anything that is handed down to us in the writings of the Fathers -- so much that I concede to him a certain spirit of prophecy in which he stands distinguished above others, above most, indeed, above all" -Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609)References: http://www.reformationtheology.com... [1] http://www.reformationtheology.com... [2] Ephesians 1:13 - KJV John 1:12 - KJV John 3:16 - KJV 2 Peter 3:9 - KJV Isaiah 53:8 - KJV Mathew 1:21 - KJV Act 20:28 - KJV 1 John 2:2 - KJV