Clarification on Reformed Theology

***The following is an AOMin email asking for clarification about Reformed theology. If Christine asks anything more specific, that email will be quite a bit more lengthy =)***

Hello Christine,

I will do my best to offer some clarification.

You stated: “My concern is that a non believer/catholic friend stated she believed that "if God has not given a person the Gift of Faith that that person would not go to hell." It also seems you imply that having faith is only a gift from God and that only certain/some people will receive it. If that is the case, it seems that we as humans have no choice in the matter, we are either damned or saved. Can you clarify that for me?”

In short, we do believe that sinners naturally hate God (Romans 1:30) and suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). It is only because God regenerates dead sinners to spiritual life (Ephesians 2:1-6) that any turn to Him in faith. God grants faith (Philippians 1:29); indeed, all of salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unless God makes dead sinners alive and grants to them saving faith, they will not come to Christ (John 6:44).

To answer your question directly, you are correct that we believe that God extends His grace to some. All whom God draws to Himself come to Him (John 6:37, 44).

Does this mean that human beings do not have a choice? Well, human beings certainly have a will with the ability to make choices. But since all human beings are born sinful, they all choose to hate God. Sinners will continue in their unjust hatred of God and His truth unless God has mercy upon them.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please let me know.

In Christ,
Casey Ryan
AOMin