When a person is truly converted it is from what the great puritan and reformed theologians termed "effectual calling" or irresistible grace.
A man's will is so corrupt and repelled by God and holiness that he cannot come to Christ and never will of his own volition. Men are "made willing in the day of His power."
This touches on a huge theological controversy down through the decades (centuries), Arminianism versus Calvinism.
One minister said that the subject, which is the sovereignty of God versus the responsibility of man, is like two earthly pillars that only meet in heaven. One has to accept both and allow that we can never fully understand the seemingly contradictory subject.
A man's will is so corrupt and repelled by God and holiness that he cannot come to Christ and never will of his own volition.
It follows the that a man can't be blamed for lack of faith. Or that faithlessness and, by extension, damnation is willed by God.
>It follows the that a man can't be blamed for lack of faith.
Yes, that is what would seem to follow logically according to our finite reasoning, but that is the argument and the 'contradiction.'
The scriptures still teach that man is responsible and will be blamed.
This is what Martin Luther's work "The Bondage of the Will" was about, that man is responsible exactly BECAUSE his will is corrupt and blind.
He wrote it centuries ago so the argument has been going on for a very long time.
The apostle Paul talked about man's arguments against it in the book of Romans (arguments like, well if I can't help myself, if I'm too blind and ignorant then I can't be held responsible - exactly what you said).
There are many good books on the subject. Like I said, one preacher I know said that these two things, the responsibility of man versus the sovereignty of God are two contradictory pillars on earth that meet only in heaven (and are only reconciled in heaven).
Finite man can only accept what God has revealed in the scriptures. Believe me, this has been argued, like I said, for centuries, and I do understand what you are saying about it.
Thanks for the reading suggestions. Will check out the Martin Luther.
It follows the that a man can't be blamed for lack of faith. Or that faithlessness and, by extension, damnation is willed by God.
Read Romans Ch 9
Will do.
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