Christoffer
Puritan Board Sophomore
I had a discussion with a friend about predestination and human responsibility. This guy actually affirms predestination, those that are elected will be saved.
But then he also maintained that human beings can affect the outcome, ie. be personally responsible for the eternal well-being of an individual.
I would agree that we have an obligation to spread the gospel, but I deny that we can in any way influence whether a person goes to heaven or hell. God will hold us responsible for neglecting our duties, not for sending people to hell.
Anyhow, the person I was talking to affirmed both predestination and human ability to influence. I told him that this is contradictory.
He just replied "I don't see it that way".
In fact this is a quite common response when someone adds to the Bible or teaches contrary to it "This is the way I see it".
It is kind of difficult to reason with people who do not care about consistency or about having Biblical support for what they claim to be true.
How does one respond to that?
But then he also maintained that human beings can affect the outcome, ie. be personally responsible for the eternal well-being of an individual.
I would agree that we have an obligation to spread the gospel, but I deny that we can in any way influence whether a person goes to heaven or hell. God will hold us responsible for neglecting our duties, not for sending people to hell.
Anyhow, the person I was talking to affirmed both predestination and human ability to influence. I told him that this is contradictory.
He just replied "I don't see it that way".
In fact this is a quite common response when someone adds to the Bible or teaches contrary to it "This is the way I see it".
It is kind of difficult to reason with people who do not care about consistency or about having Biblical support for what they claim to be true.
How does one respond to that?