I’m an Arminian, but I actually believe some truth is beyond our understanding, which is why God gave us scripture and not a systematic theology text.
For the record, I in no way believe the I chose God, He chose me.......................
I’m an Arminian, but I actually believe some truth is beyond our understanding,
1 Corinthians 2:14 may help to explain why you feel that Truth is beyond YOUR understanding.
The logical conclusion of your soteriology demands that you believe in a false God and thus are not saved.
The Scriptures plainly state that all have sinned, are spiritually dead, doesn't seeks after God or righteousness, that the natural man hates God, hates righteousness, loves his sin, can't understand the Scriptures, thinks its foolish, is blinded by both God and Satan to the truth, and would prefer to be crushed by rocks than bow their knee to the LORD. Yet the Arminian says despite John 1:13 that by his own power and will he overcame all of that and boldly declares through that sentiment that the Scriptures are a lie.
I don't consider the Scriptures lies, and thus it is impossible for the unregenerate to come to Christ because they hate Christ. Now if the Arminian claims to love Jesus, then we have a problem because the Bible says that the Arminian can't love God because he is too busy hating God. So that only leaves us with (1) the Arminian is lying about this love, or (2) what is far more likely is that the Free Will Enthusiast has crafted in his mind a Jesus that he can love, who is not offensive, and who does not make uncomfortable demands of repentance and obedience from him.
I bet, under this scenario, if we compared your Jesus with the Scriptures we would not find the same Jesus.
There is also another distinct possibility.
Despite ignorance you have first been regenerated by the Spirit, and because your eyes have been opened to the Truth you naturally have come to believe as Scriptures promised. Yet as of now you have not been sanctified to understand that it was God's Grace, not your own imagined virtue that overcame the enmity. In which case, the Paraclete has promised to sanctify all into perfection, which I imagine will include you finally understanding the true source of your salvation, and all then I can predict for you is that in the near future, you too will embrace the Doctrines of Grace awkwardly described through the mneumonic TULIP.
Honestly, I believe that is the way most of us have come to saving knowledge of our LORD. Born a Pharisee, Saved as an Arminian, Sanctified into Calvinism. For all we know you are at stage two.
Why wait? Why resist the inevitable? Calvinists are on duty now to handle your inquiry.
Yeah...what he said. :o)
We may not agree on all things, or even very much, but that is beautifully said, and deeply true. Humankind can scarcely resist the temptation to slice and dice the "way of a man with a maid" into culturally derivative chemistry, psychology and physiology. Much LESS the eternal mystery.
"Who shall grant me to rest in Thee? By Whose gift wilt Thou enter into my heart, and fill it so compellingly that I shall turn no more to my sins, but embrace Thee, my only Good? What art Thou to me? Have mercy, that I may tell....what rather am I to Thee, that Thou shouldst demand my love, and if I do not love Thee, threaten such great woe? Surely, not to love Thee is already a great woe..."