The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Does God force men to sin?

God created Adam with the ability to sin and the ability to not sin but not with the ability to never sin. Adam was free to chose between obeying God or disobeying God. God didn't force Adam to sin... He decreed/foreordained that Adam would sin but Adam did it most freely. To help understand this truth I quoted Acts 4:26-28 which I will quote again the last two verses and I will add Acts 2:23:

Acts 2:23 (ASV) "him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:"

Acts 4:27-28 (ASV) "for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass."

These are probably the most revealing texts that one could find on this subject. Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says that all who were involved in the crucifixion of Christ did so by the eternal foreordination of God. Not only did God foreordain the crucifixion of Christ but every detail of it down to who would drive the nails into his hands and feet. AND, at the same time and equally true is the fact that these people did so most freely, without external compulsion, with no violation to their will. In short, they willingly and freely did what they did according to their own choice. God didn't force them to do this horrible act. The guilt is all their own. Thus God ordained the fall of Adam and Eve but they alone are culpable and guilty for their transgression.

Read through Romans 9 and pay careful attention first to the "questions" which Paul addresses concerning God's divine power and authority (right) to do what He does in the matter of salvation and then you will better understand Paul's answers.

For a great set of answers to this question of God being the alleged "Author of Sin" and others very similar to it, see here: Objections to the Doctrine of Predestination

Let's run with this idea to see how it works out, okay? But I must ask what it means that "God orchestrated only our spiritual lives"? As for God not (implied) orchestrating everything else then how does this everything occur... by chance? Is there no relationship between events that occur in life? If God has no control over the everyday choices of men then can there be anything that is certain? Question: How could the OT prophets be certain that what they prophesied would ever come to pass? Is God taken by surprise when you decide to take route 39N instead of 55S to reach a destination? Is God helplessly watching from His throne as men murder unborn babies? Was God simply a spectator during the holocaust? Was Christ crucified against God's will? Catching on here?

Men have the ability to make choices they being created in the image of God. But those choices are governed by their nature. AND, all the choices they make have all been ordained and are directed by God according to His eternal counsel, good pleasure and divine providence. (See the passages quoted in my first reply). Here are a few more:

[quote]Proverbs 19:21 (ASV) "There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand."

Proverbs 21:30 (ASV) "There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah."

Psalms 37:23 (KJV) "The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."

Proverbs 16:1 (ASV) "The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah."

Proverbs 16:9 (ASV) "A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps."

No! And not all who profess to be Calvinists are saved either. However, IF <---- an Arminian truly believes what he/she professes theologically/doctrinally, then at least at the time of that profession they cannot be saved. Sin is a terrible thing and one of the myriad results of sin is this occasional bifurcation between the head and the heart. The inconsistency can only be known by dialog, questions, probing and the person's answers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of professing Christians today on BOTH sides of the theological chasm are unregenerate. Right doctrine does NOT save... but one cannot be saved without holding to right doctrine.

In His grace,