[Mr Rogers]

So when Jesus said the unregenerate were sick, how were they also dead (incapable of response)? When the Father in the Prodigal Son story says his son is dead, did he mean someone had killed his son?

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate."

[HossB86]

I'd say he meant his son was dead and then made alive.. kinda like being dead in sin and then being regenerated by God -- being able THEN to accept his Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

If you're lost in sin, HOW can you choose Christ?

John 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

No one CAN come.... "can" indicates ability. Christ didn't say, "No one MAY come..." which would imply/mean permission. We are UNABLE to come unless the Father draws us to Christ. We are acted upon; we do not act of our own ability; prior to being called, our actions would always be consistent with our choice to act against Christ.

Hoss