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The origin, nature, and
condition of man - this topic deals with man's spiritual
condition, and his great need for Christ. The primary issue
contested among Christians is whether man is totally depraved
and without the ability or will to save himself, or only partly
incapacitated and thus universally capable of responding to the
Gospel. This issue touches on the sovereignty of God. If all
mankind is able to respond to the Gospel, but anyone is denied his
or her redemption by rejecting the gospel, then God is not
sovereign in our salvation. Instead, we are "wooed" more
or less successfully by the HS through the evangelist. If evangelism
is always successful, then why does God choose to woo some but not
others? How is this any different than Calvinism where the elect are
predetermined? If it's sometimes unsuccessful, then how can the HS
be a pledge or guarantee since he's occasionally impotent? (2Cor
5:5) Where then is our eternal security? (Jn 10:28)
If Christ died for all mankind, but
redemption depends on our choice, then Christ actually saved no one.
He only obtained the possibility of salvation for us. Our
destiny is still in our own hands, just as it was under the Law.
Infants, the mentally incapacitated, and those who have not
heard the gospel, cannot understand what is at stake. Their
misperception or lack of opportunity means they will be lost, and
God is unable to save them. That puts their salvation in
our hands, both to get the Gospel to them, and to persuade
them to accept it, thereby enabling them to enter into the
kingdom. I believe this is a deadly heresy. It is ego-centric,
destructive of grace, discomforting to the elect, and contrary
to Scripture. But of course, it's very popular, especially under
American Individualism. Such ideas were denounced and
refuted at the Synod
of Dordt.
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