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This is the forum to discuss the spectrum of views within Christianity on God's foreknowledge and election such as Calvinism, Arminianism, Molinism, Open Theism, Process Theism, Restrictivism, and Inclusivism, Christian Universalism and what these all are about anyway. Who is saved and when is/was their salvation certain? How does God exercise His sovereignty and how powerful is He? Is God timeless and immutable? Does a triune God help better understand God's love for mankind?

While this area is for the discussion of these doctrines within historic Christianity, all theists interested in discussing these areas within the presuppositions of and respect for the Christian framework are welcome to participate here. This is not the area for debate between nontheists and theists, additionally, there may be some topics that within the Moderator's discretion fall so outside the bounds of mainstream evangelical doctrine that may be more appropriately placed within Comparative Religions 101 Nontheists seeking only theistic participation only in a manner that does not seek to undermine the faith of others are also welcome - but we ask that Moderator approval be obtained beforehand.

Atheists are welcome to discuss and debate these issues in the Apologetics 301 or General Theistics 101 forum without such restrictions. Theists who wish to discuss these issues outside the parameters of orthodox Christian doctrine are invited to Unorthodox Theology 201.

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Was C.S. Lewis reformed?

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  • #16
    Originally posted by phat8594 View Post
    CS Lewis was definitely not reformed in the Calvinistic sense or deterministic sense - but definitely so in the wider protestant sense. The 'free will' spoken of by Edwards is contrary to the free will (LFW) spoken of by CS Lewis. In fact, I believe that the 'free will' spoken of by Edwards is not 'free will' at all.
    Laurence M. Vance in The Other Side of Calvinism, revised edition (IBSN 0-9628898-7-3), quotes or mentions Jonathan Edwards more than once. I assume "Jonathon" is a misspelling. Let me present two quotations:
    Source: Vance, p.195-196

    The Biblical indictment of man is severe but justified. Jonathan Edwards accurately concluded over two hundred years ago: "The reality and greatness of the depravity of man 's nature appears in this, that he has a prevailing propensity to be continually sinning against God." . . . He also correctly related that "not only a constant commission of sin, but a constant increase in the habits and practice of wickedness, is the true tendency of man's depraved nature, if unrestrained by divine grace." . . .

    © Copyright Original Source

    Source: Vance, p.201-202

    Regarding the essential nature of the will of man, there is no disagreement between Calvinists and their opponents. The classic definition is that of Jonathan Edwards:

    The faculty of the will is that faculty or power or principle of mind by which it is capable of choosing: an act of the will is the same as an act of choosing or choice. . . .

    © Copyright Original Source

    The greater number of laws . . . , the more thieves . . . there will be. ---- Lao-Tzu

    [T]he truth I’m after and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance -— Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

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    • #17
      If we were willing to set aside all the sophistic intellectual mumbo jumbo, the will of men is free until it is placed into bondage/involuntary submission by a being (God) with greater power than the person whose will is subjugated.

      Our greatest inclinations does not subjugate our will, but rather enhances it. Physical limitation while they might limit our physical activity, they do not limit or hinder our will.

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