52. Even though a depraved person cannot do good works, he can still believe, can't he?
Although Arminians object against the doctrines of Pelagius, the fifth-century British monk who taught that man was not corrupted in Adam, so that each person has the innate capacity to do righteous acts; yet they still like to maintain that man still has at least one tiny “island of righteousness” left in the sea of depravity; and that is, that all men can at least respond to God's offer in the gospel, and come to him in faith.
However, even this “island of righteousness” is unbiblical; the bible teaches that man cannot even believe in God or believe the words of Jesus, apart from God's sovereign grace (John 6:65; 8:43-45; 10:26; 12:37-41). Furthermore, this teaching of man's “free” will to believe in the gospel is a slight against God's power and grace, which saves us utterly apart from anything within ourselves, so that God alone may be glorified. Hence, the bible frequently indicates that even faith and repentance are God's gifts (John 3:27; Phil. 1:29; 2 Pet. 1:1; Acts 5:3; 11:18; 16:14; 18:27; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Tim. 2:25-26). Even as the apostle said, “Who makes you to differ? or what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7).
Further Studies:
Responsibility, Inabiliity and Monergistic Grace by John Hendryx
Man's Utter Inability to Rescue Himself by Thomas Boston
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