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Originally Posted by Botnst
I think your second paragraph is the Calvinistic predestination view of free will and thus, held by Baptists and their allies but definitely not held by Catholics and their allies (Anglicans, Orthodox, etc).
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Calvinism does not deny free will. It simply holds that there are some things humans are capable of on their own, and some things that only God can do.
Most importantly (as a distinction of Calvinism) Calvinists assert that when the Bible says that none seek after God and that all are dead in their sins, it means that in their natural state, no human can or will choose to believe in a saving way. Only after God regenerates the person and gives them spiritual life will they seek after God.
By predestination, Calvinists are affirming what the Bible says about God being the author and perfector (or finisher) of our faith. God has to choose who will be saved and then actively work that faith otherwise no one would be saved. This way, no one will have anything to boast about...none of this "look at me, I chose wisely". All who enter in will praise God for his Grace and Mercy! None deserve to be saved, none choose God on their own...God chooses.
That is, in a nutshell (and IMHO), what Calvinism teaches.