The aristocracy analogy fails. Scripture says all men are fallen, guilty, and “by nature children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3). God chooses not the worthy, but the undeserving by grace. Aristocracy says, “I’m privileged because of who I am.” Grace says, “I have nothing I did not receive” (1 Cor. 4:7). Election kills boasting; it doesn’t create it.
I’m asking my Calvinist friends to stop engaging for a moment. This is far too revealing to interrupt. When someone can simply declare unconditional election, effectual grace, and perseverance “false” despite the weight of texts Calvinists appeal to, the disagreement becomes wonderfully clear. Keep going, Dinesh. 🙂
@Soteriology101@DineshDSouza@realJennaEllis To the three horsesmen/woman currently defending libertarian free will --Jenna, Dinesh, and Flowers: take your argument back before the Fall. Explain Adam’s first sin and, harder still, Satan’s. Both were created good, without sinful natures. Where did the first evil desire come from? Saying “free will” names the choice; it doesn’t explain the desire. Then I’ll know you’ve really wrestled with the problem. Here is a video of an honest confession from a theologian https://t.co/m0lJUJS5wY
@realJennaEllis Were the chief priests CONVINCED, PERSUADED?? When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well.
@DineshDSouza The self-defeating irony is claiming “I’m learning” while simultaneously declaring the other side has been made ridiculous—suggesting the conclusion is already settled.
@DineshDSouza@Soteriology101 - https://t.co/tjmeLrw9rW Dinesh D'Souza and Dr. Leighton Flowers, I would genuinely like to hear your response to John Piper’s argument here.
But the Lamb was slain “from the foundation of the world.” The decree is eternal; its actuality unfolds in time. Augustine’s points to God is not bound by our before-and-after. Christ was eternally ordained to die, yet He actually died in history. Likewise, election precedes birth, but regeneration actually occurs in time. Being named in the will is not the same thing as possessing the inheritance.
Reflect on this for a moment - Nicodemus felt Jesus's conclusion ridiculous - “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again?” Jesus: “The wind blows where it wishes…so it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:3–8). Interesting analogy—Jesus chose birth and wind, two things remarkably unimpressed by our autonomy.
I respect Dinesh’s political commentary, but when he ventures into theology—especially his tirades against Calvinism—the arguments often become sophomoric. At times, the reasoning sounds eerily similar to Candace’s arguments about how and why Charlie Kirk was killed: confident assertions built on speculation rather than careful evidence.
@DineshDSouza What if no one comes? Did God send Christ, issue an invitation, then anxiously wait to see if anyone RSVPs? Calvinism says Christ didn’t merely make salvation possible…He actually saves. Like the fishers of men, they are not begging to enter the net… they are drawn in
@DineshDSouza Back to basics: What is total depravity? Sin has affected every part of man ...mind, will, emotions, and desires. It does not mean man is as evil as possible, but that apart from God’s regenerating grace, fallen man will not turn to God in SAVING FAITH..
@realJennaEllis Regeneration doesn’t merely give a neutral capacity to believe or refuse. God gives a new heart that willingly comes to Christ. We truly exercise faith, but grace doesn’t merely make faith possible…it effectually brings us to Christ (John 6:37,44).
@DineshDSouza Summary - Who believes the message? Those to whom the Lord reveals His arm (Isa. 53:1). We believe and receive Christ (John 1:12), yet our new birth is “not of human decision…but born of God” (1:13). The Spirit gives birth to spirit and blows where He wills (John 3:6–8).
@DineshDSouza The gospel is greater than “grace is available; just receive it.” Adam’s guilt was imputed to us; Christ’s righteousness is imputed to believers. Our hope is not our ability to achieve perfection, but Christ achieving what we could not ---His righteousness received by faith.
@realJennaEllis@TodAshby Edwards argued, necessity does not destroy liberty when the will acts according to its strongest inclination. The sinner is not chained against his will; his bondage is his will. Moral inability excuses no one, for it arises not from coercion, but from what the heart loves.