Theology / Man and Sin

  • A Divided Will? by

    A common misconception people have of the Augustinian view of grace is that people come to faith against their wills, when the very opposite is actually the case. In fact, without grace there can be no free will. So, what …

  • A Model of Repentance by

    Where does repentance fit in your life? Was repentance only a one-time thing you did when you first heard the gospel, or has it been a matter of practice since your conversion? Is the fear of not being able to …

  • Are We Born Free? by

    Is it possible that we are able to do good works without the aid of grace? Are people born with the ability to obey God? Are we born free of the effects of Adam’s original sin? Looking at these …

  • Bondage of the Will by

    Many believe that we are totally free to choose salvation. In Willing to Believe, Dr. R.C. Sproul shows that man’s will is not free but in bondage to sin. He says that we are doomed unless God has …

  • Born to Sin? by

      Many believe that we are totally free to choose salvation. In Willing to Believe, R.C. shows that man’s will is not free but in bondage to sin. He says that we are doomed unless God has mercy and …

  • Cosmic Treason by

    The Old Testament records severe warnings against violating God’s holiness. With these warnings come a threat of punishment to any who would violate the admonitions. As people, we understand the concept of crime and punishment, but as sinners, we …

  • Cosmic Treason by

    Man did not remain in the state of righteousness in which he was created. He sinned against God and fell, becoming dead in sin and defiled in every faculty of soul and body. Most people today deny this fact, believing …

  • Created in God’s Image by

    According to John Calvin, knowledge of God and knowledge of ourselves are intimately connected. It is important, therefore, that Christian leaders in the church teach and defend what God has revealed about the origin and nature of man. We did …

  • Free Will and Divine Sovereignty by

    Some well-meaning pastors have tried to explain that within God’s sovereignty, there is a place where He chooses not to exercise His power. That place, according to some, is man’s free will. That explanation simply won’t do …

  • Is Grace Cooperative? by

      Many believe that we are totally free to choose salvation. In Willing to Believe, R.C. shows that man’s will is not free but in bondage to sin. He says that we are doomed unless God has mercy and …

  • Is Grace Irresistible? by

    The ancient Pelagian heresy taught that the fall of Adam had no effect on mankind, and therefore, we do not need grace to please God. Saint Augustine responded by teaching that not only did sin affect us, but that our …

  • Questions and Answers by

    Does God have displeasure with His people? How can we know the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the accusations of the devil? How much remorse must a Christian have for sin? Can there be too little …

  • Regenation and Repentance by

    God has commanded people everywhere to repent, but are they able to?  What if we couldn’t repent? Would God command us to do something that we simply couldn’t do—like repent? If your answer is no, then you …

  • Sovereign Grace by

    Whenever we make a decision, we want that decision to be ours. Is it possible to choose something against our will? What function does our free will have in receiving the gospel? Continuing this study on the doctrine of free …

  • The Loss of Liberty by

    A common criticism leveled against Reformed theology is that it does not teach that man has a free will. But is that really an accurate criticism? Whose definition of free will are we using? Fortunately, we don’t have to …