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

Indubitably!!

You will eventually come to the obvious conclusion that most all complaints about Calvinism stem from one's hatred of the doctrine of Total Depravity. The problem is that most cannot and will not take the insult that they are DEAD in sins, hate God by nature and love to do that which God hates, i.e., transgress the law or refuse to do what the law requires. Look at it this way... If man is as depraved as the Bible says he is, then the only possible way that anyone could be saved is by an Unconditional Election, by a Definite Atonement, actuated by an Irresistible Grace and by God's faithful Preservation of the Saints.

Now, the passages you quoted are very good. You should further consider the indictment Paul brings against first the Gentiles, then the Jews and then both together in Romans chapters 1-3 and then Eph 2:1-5. There simply is no way around it... there is no ABILITY in man to repent and believe because there is inherently no desire to do so. The heart is wicked (cf. Gen 6:5; 8:21; Jer 17:7); the thinking [mind] is vain; the intellect is darkened; they are alienated from God; the heart is hardened [against God]; and the feeling [conscious] is of no effect! Eph 4:17-19

You go girl!!

In His grace,