Outline of Edwards Arguments in part V.I Arminians say if something causally predetermines our choices, we are not responsible. But responsibility is not the cause of choices, it’s in the nature of choices If responsibility is in the cause of choices, we search through an infinite regression of causes, and nothing is ever responsible. My Response Point 1 is close, but not quite accurate. While our actions can be predetermined, our choices cannot be. Choice cannot be predetermined, else it’s not choice. Predeterminism leave us with only one possible action, but choice requires alternatives (i.e. more than one). A “predetermined choice” is self-contradictory, implying we can choose something we can’t choose. So we think Calvinists are inconsistent for saying we can choose. Also, Arminians agree that we are responsible for our choices. Even though we deny we are responsible for things we are causally predetermined to do, we are not saying responsibility lies in the cause of choices,
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Context, context context. Sure, Calvinists say God has a reason, but they also say we are not that reason. Thus, I didn't just say random but rather I said "with respect to us it must be random".
Here's a quote from Dort to back it up:
"This same election took place, not on the basis of foreseen faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition"
http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/canons_of_dordt.html
God be with you,
Dan
Ordinarily we choose things based on some quality about what we are choosing. So when Calvinism talks about God's election, they are using election (or choice) in a special sense; because our actions and qualities are not the reason God chooses this person rather than that person. They do say God has a reason, but that reason is not us.
This is one of the reasons why I see understanding the election passages as conditional rather than unconditional. Normally choices are conditional. Normally, we choose things based on some quality in what we are choosing. Calvinists understand election in a strained and unnatural way.
God be with you,
Dan