Are you up to a challenge for freewill Christians? Read Romans chapter 9 and tell me what you think of it.?

Answer 1

Yes it is a challenge, but people will cling to error in spite of Scripture, placing their square pegs into their round holes and never seeing the gaps. Predestination CAN be taken at face value, there is nothing mysterious about it at all. It's just when you elevate Man to God's level -- or bring God down to Man's -- that we run into trouble and have to call it a mystery and anthropomorphically explain things that never do make sense.

When Adam fell from grace, he didn't bounce back; he didn't fall partway, he didn't fall most of the way. He hit concrete, all the way, he completely all fellowship with God. To think that we can do what the Bible tells us we cannot, is just plain arrogance, it's humanist thinking, and even blasphemous as it robs grace from God & makes him subject to our whims.

Answer 2

First off, Let me say we need to read Chapter 11 to get the full story of what Paul says concerning his people, the Jews. Now to answer your question. Yes, this chapter does seriously question the whole Free will concept. But as Paul said. Nobody can say to God "Why did you make me like this? We all know that our lives are given to us and our choices are our own even though our finite minds cannot comprehend how God is in control of everything.
All I know is this. I thank God for all the good things in life He has given me because they helped shape the person that I am. Perhaps it is this way in which God "controls" things. But I believe He gives everyone the same chances, the same love, forgiveness and patience. If not then he shows favoritism and is an unfair deity. But if He hardens people, I believe it is only temporary. Then He gives all the same chance to be softened, so they may obtain mercy.

Answer 3

I don't know exactly what you are getting at. But, thanks for the reminder to read the Bible.

I feel that this passage, though it shows God's sovereignty in our lives, it does not let us off the hook for our actions either.

I look at it similarly to this. I have children, and have a huge bearing on their lives. I choose where they live, what they eat, what school they attend, what activities they participate in, what chores they perform, etc. However, I do not make every decision for them. They make thousands, maybe millions of little decisions all day long. Some fall in line with what I want, and some do not. There is punishment, there is praise, but I want my kids to grow up and be able to make good decisions for themselves. So, I allow them a lot of leiway.

I think God has a similar role with us. He is so all knowing that he could literally make our every little decision (and in some cases, has-setting our breathing and body functions in motion). But he allows us leiway.We have the ability to make choices all the time. Big and little choices. Sometimes circumstances prevent us from doing what we want. God can obviously work in circumstance.

But, in the end, I am responisible for my behavior, actions, thoughts, motivations, etc.

Christ died so I can be forgiven when I screw up. I have accepted that forgiveness over and over again.

Answer 4

The Book of Romans is famous for explaining salvation and the sovereignty of God. It uses words like “chose,” “predestined,” “elect,” etc., yet it also holds people accountable for not choosing.

Scripture is clear that God knows the future and is sovereignly in control of all things.. The Bible also says that we have a free will. God does not force us or cause us to do anything- We are completely responsible for our own actions (Romans 9:19-21). How these facts work together is impossible for a finite mind to comprehend

Answer 5

Yeah. U can't work ur way into Heaven. trying to follow the Law is impossible, because to do so requires perfection -which we don't have. This is where Israel failed (v31-32) The Gentiles (rest of the world) have attained righteousness by faith in Christ (v 33) Hope this helps

Answer 6

Ooooh I love free will debates, but why even bother asking this question if your only going to receive one answer? God gave me the free will yada yada yada... although god cant give free will because he sets the rules.
for example:
If you choose not to steal because the commandments said so. <-- that is not free will

Answer 7

milton, in paradise lost, makes valid point for free will: if god didn't give you free will, then how can he judge you, what would be the point of condeming you to hell if he was the one that made you do the things you have done?

Answer 8

Well, that all depends on if you want to take it out of context or not.

Answer 9

God is sovereign....

Answer 10

**** you.