Thank you for explaining the historical and prophetic framework behind your position. I recognize your sincere desire to defend God’s sovereignty and the sufficiency of Christ. We agree that salvation is entirely by God’s grace and cannot be earned through works, religion, or human merit (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7).
However, your response does not resolve my central concern: the assertion that “free will is a deception of Satan” and that people have “no choice” regarding salvation.
Scripture teaches that no one comes to Christ unless the Father draws him (John 6:44), but it also genuinely commands people to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), describes some as unwilling to come to Christ (John 5:40), warns against resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), and invites whoever desires to receive the water of life (Revelation 22:17).
These responses do not earn salvation. God initiates salvation, Christ accomplishes it, and the Holy Spirit draws, convicts, and transforms. Nevertheless, Scripture holds people responsible for responding to God’s grace. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility must both be honored.
Your historical discussion also does not prove that Arminianism or meaningful human choice originated in satanic deception. You acknowledge that there are no documented historical links between Molina and Arminius yet call Molina’s influence “unmistakable.” Similarities do not establish dependence or spiritual corruption. Molina also lived in the sixteenth century and therefore could not have influenced the early Church Fathers.
Several prophetic conclusions are likewise interpretations rather than explicit biblical declarations. Connecting Daniel’s little horn with the papacy, Sardis with the failed Reformation, and the United States with the second beast belongs to a particular historicist framework. Faithful Christians interpret these passages differently. The second beast also appears in Revelation 13, not Revelation 12.
I am especially concerned about applying the “strong delusion” of 2 Thessalonians 2 to Christians who disagree with your theology. In context, Paul describes those who reject the truth during the coming of the lawless one, not sincere believers debating sovereignty and responsibility. The account of Job should likewise humble all of us, not position those who disagree with us as Job’s misguided counselors.
You rightly emphasize humility and repentance, which makes the statement, “If I have offended anyone…I am not sorry,” particularly troubling. The gospel may offend human pride, but not every offense caused by a Christian writer is necessarily the offense of Christ. Sometimes people are wounded because disputed interpretations were presented as unquestionable truth or fellow believers were unfairly condemned (Ephesians 4:15, 29-32; 2 Timothy 2:24-25).
My position remains simple: salvation is entirely the work and gift of God. Yet Scripture genuinely calls people to repent, believe, receive Christ, follow Him, abide in Him, and persevere. Affirming those biblical responsibilities is not “Jesus plus something,” nor is it satanic.
I respect your devotion to Christ, but neither Calvinism, Arminianism, historicism, nor any other human system should be equated with Christ Himself. Every interpretation, including yours and mine, must be tested by Scripture in context and by the whole counsel of God (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
I have stated my position respectfully and will now leave the discussion here. May we both remain humble before God, faithful to His Word, and focused upon Jesus Christ.
This also is my position and thank you @FaithBindsUs for articulating this so well. And indeed may Jesus bless you both in heavenly father with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Amen.
I thank you for your considered and humble response. I will leave my reply at this point as well with the example of Saul of Tarsus by asking the question: Did Paul have any choice in the task Jesus assigned him? You don’t have to answer, because the whole New Testament declares not. When Jesus wants you, He gets you. The alternative is the fiery lake.
Geoff,
Thank you for explaining the historical and prophetic framework behind your position. I recognize your sincere desire to defend God’s sovereignty and the sufficiency of Christ. We agree that salvation is entirely by God’s grace and cannot be earned through works, religion, or human merit (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-7).
However, your response does not resolve my central concern: the assertion that “free will is a deception of Satan” and that people have “no choice” regarding salvation.
Scripture teaches that no one comes to Christ unless the Father draws him (John 6:44), but it also genuinely commands people to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), describes some as unwilling to come to Christ (John 5:40), warns against resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), and invites whoever desires to receive the water of life (Revelation 22:17).
These responses do not earn salvation. God initiates salvation, Christ accomplishes it, and the Holy Spirit draws, convicts, and transforms. Nevertheless, Scripture holds people responsible for responding to God’s grace. God’s sovereignty and human responsibility must both be honored.
Your historical discussion also does not prove that Arminianism or meaningful human choice originated in satanic deception. You acknowledge that there are no documented historical links between Molina and Arminius yet call Molina’s influence “unmistakable.” Similarities do not establish dependence or spiritual corruption. Molina also lived in the sixteenth century and therefore could not have influenced the early Church Fathers.
Several prophetic conclusions are likewise interpretations rather than explicit biblical declarations. Connecting Daniel’s little horn with the papacy, Sardis with the failed Reformation, and the United States with the second beast belongs to a particular historicist framework. Faithful Christians interpret these passages differently. The second beast also appears in Revelation 13, not Revelation 12.
I am especially concerned about applying the “strong delusion” of 2 Thessalonians 2 to Christians who disagree with your theology. In context, Paul describes those who reject the truth during the coming of the lawless one, not sincere believers debating sovereignty and responsibility. The account of Job should likewise humble all of us, not position those who disagree with us as Job’s misguided counselors.
You rightly emphasize humility and repentance, which makes the statement, “If I have offended anyone…I am not sorry,” particularly troubling. The gospel may offend human pride, but not every offense caused by a Christian writer is necessarily the offense of Christ. Sometimes people are wounded because disputed interpretations were presented as unquestionable truth or fellow believers were unfairly condemned (Ephesians 4:15, 29-32; 2 Timothy 2:24-25).
My position remains simple: salvation is entirely the work and gift of God. Yet Scripture genuinely calls people to repent, believe, receive Christ, follow Him, abide in Him, and persevere. Affirming those biblical responsibilities is not “Jesus plus something,” nor is it satanic.
I respect your devotion to Christ, but neither Calvinism, Arminianism, historicism, nor any other human system should be equated with Christ Himself. Every interpretation, including yours and mine, must be tested by Scripture in context and by the whole counsel of God (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
I have stated my position respectfully and will now leave the discussion here. May we both remain humble before God, faithful to His Word, and focused upon Jesus Christ.
God bless you, Geoff.
This also is my position and thank you @FaithBindsUs for articulating this so well. And indeed may Jesus bless you both in heavenly father with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Amen.
I thank you for your considered and humble response. I will leave my reply at this point as well with the example of Saul of Tarsus by asking the question: Did Paul have any choice in the task Jesus assigned him? You don’t have to answer, because the whole New Testament declares not. When Jesus wants you, He gets you. The alternative is the fiery lake.
Many blessings to you.