I am not a classical Arminian, in that total depravity equals total incapacity. I do not need to be totally incapacitated to be totally captivated by sin. If I am only, for argument’s sake, 50% incapable to understand, the fact that it is by grace means that I do not deserve it 100%. Deserving has nothing to do with capacity. Being 1% wrong, means I am 100% guilty and thus 0% deserving of God’s favor.
Dear friend Doug, this is not Biblical, but a emotional polemic. Show me Scripture of this 50%, not giving a 100%. Because even Christ himself states we are in bondage to sin, and he came to free us from this bondage.
The Truth Will Set You Free
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
Why does Christ say slave to sin, Doug? Please be define it as much as possible, I don't want to misunderstand your view.
You Are of Your Father the Devil
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,
40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
These Jews identify themselves as Abraham children, so what are you talking about, Jesus! And what does Christ say to them, Doug? Is their Father Abraham or the Devil?
But here again Christ makes a pertinent statement, "Whoever is of God HEARS the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." This statement coincides with John 10, where Christ says only his sheep hear his voice, and believe, and follow.
In my view, Grace means that my works are totally meaningless and without effect, so the capacity for my ability to understand is meaningless. I don’t deserve anything good from God, period! God cannot be obligated to help me by anything I can do, period! Therefore, in my opinion, the question of capacity to do anything is moot!
"In your view", Scripture is clear, Doug that without Grace regenerating, renewing our minds to and giving us a new heart this is his promise.
1 Cor. 2:
11For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
I do not deny that Grace alone is the effectual power, nor that I am completely undeserving of anything good that God does for me, neither do I deny that I can do nothing to earn or necessitate God acting in my behalf But I believe that my believing in Christ is necessary and my trust is mine alone to give. It is by grace, through faith that I am saved!
Doug
Yes it is Grace through Faith Alone, but is this not of ourselves, it is a gift from God! It's called regeneration, Doug, as Arminius also understood correctly.