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Dictionary of
Theology
Definition of Irresistible Grace
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A Calvinistic belief that
man cannot refuse God's grace. Because man is
depraved and unable to save
himself, he is also unable to resist God's grace.
This likewise fits the nature of
election because God would not elect someone who
would resist Him, if it were theoretically possible.
The debate of this
comes over the sovereignty of God and the freewill of
man. If man has total free will, he can resist
even God's call of salvation. If man has partial
free will, can God still be considered sovereign?
Or is it possible that God is sovereign in matters of
salvation but allows man to have freewill in other
aspects of life?
The sovereignty of
God cannot be denied in scripture but there is also strong
evidence for man's free will as well. The fact is
that there is likely a balance but this does not negate
the possibility of irresistible grace or the
Arminian
alternative, prevenient grace.
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