In Reply to: Re: Link posted by mir on July 08, 2010 at 09:10:48:
Well, this article does seem to speak somewhat to the "once saved, always saved" debate, although it uses different categories of meaning, such as "irresitable grace."
I've done a lot of thinking about this question over the years--primarily from a personal, faith-journey perspective. Because of my pietist leanings, I have difficulty approaching many theological issues from a more intellectual or objective perspective, such as the article you posted.
Seems to me when I was reading John's epistles a couple of weeks ago, it struck me that the John seemed to think anyone who could apostasize was never really saved to begin with.
I tend to agree with Calvin on salvation, which is that All is Grace. My personal experience has been that I haven't been predisposed to much of anything except ignorance and death. (I don't really like the term "depravity," but yes, that's what it seems to be.) Even my ability to say "yes" to God's grace seems to be more than my own power to effect.
That said, I also tend to agree with OT2 that it is extremely dangerous to presume upon God's grace, as in once saved, always saved.
So, if I am saved purely through God's sovereignty, can that gift of regeneration in the Spirit also be taken back by an act of God's sovereignty?
Am I asking the right question here? Like I said, my pietist leanings usually prompt me to steer clear of this type of discussion.