Saturday, June 28, 2008

Concerning Moral Free Will and Irresistable Grace/ Effectual Calling: A Definition for Any Inquirers

Here are some definitions/ discussions that I find in keeping with the Scriptures and, thus, the doctrine of Christ concerning the will of human beings. This I provide in light of the blog I posted on Daniel Akin's article concerning Divine Sovereignty and human responsibility, where it was made clear that I love what Akin addresses and clarifies. These links I offer, however, to make plain a better definition or discussion of the ideas of human moral agency and omnipotent grace:

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter IX.
From Desiring God

And a definition from the Canons of Dort:

Article 12: Regeneration a Supernatural Work
And this is the regeneration, the new creation, the raising from the dead, and the making alive so clearly proclaimed in the Scriptures, which God works in us without our help. But this certainly does not happen only by outward teaching, by moral persuasion, or by such a way of working that, after God has done his work, it remains in man's power whether or not to be reborn or converted. Rather, it is an entirely supernatural work, one that is at the same time most powerful and most pleasing, a marvelous, hidden, and inexpressible work, which is not lesser than or inferior in power to that of creation or of raising the dead, as Scripture (inspired by the author of this work) teaches. As a result, all those in whose hearts God works in this marvelous way are certainly, unfailingly, and effectively reborn and do actually believe. And then the will, now renewed, is not only activated and motivated by God but in being activated by God is also itself active. For this reason, man himself, by that grace which he has received, is also rightly said to believe and to repent.

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