Please allow me to split some hairs for the sake of conversation and beg an analogy. I've been having recent discussions around the first point of Calvinism. In particular, the focus has been on the ability of fallen man.
So it is one thing to say that man is unable to truly behave righteously or merit salvation in his fallen state. However, this can be taken in different ways. Here is an analogy that I have used, but I would certainly appreciate a better one.
Let's say that there is a child who is responsible for keeping his room clean by order of his parents.
One application of total inability would be if the child had no arms or legs and therefore could not possibly fulfill his duty. Personally I do not find this to be an accurate depiction of Biblical inability.
Another application would be if the child simply hated his parents so intensely that he would rather run away or die before lifting a finger of obedience. This animosity runs so deep that there is absolutely no inclination to even consider cleaning his room. I would consider this picture to be more in line with a sinner's Biblical disposition before God.
The difference between the two seems to be often blurred in Reformed apologetics.
Would anyone care to comment or provide a better example to use?
Many thanks...
So it is one thing to say that man is unable to truly behave righteously or merit salvation in his fallen state. However, this can be taken in different ways. Here is an analogy that I have used, but I would certainly appreciate a better one.
Let's say that there is a child who is responsible for keeping his room clean by order of his parents.
One application of total inability would be if the child had no arms or legs and therefore could not possibly fulfill his duty. Personally I do not find this to be an accurate depiction of Biblical inability.
Another application would be if the child simply hated his parents so intensely that he would rather run away or die before lifting a finger of obedience. This animosity runs so deep that there is absolutely no inclination to even consider cleaning his room. I would consider this picture to be more in line with a sinner's Biblical disposition before God.
The difference between the two seems to be often blurred in Reformed apologetics.
Would anyone care to comment or provide a better example to use?
Many thanks...