NO.  The Lutheran does not agree that intellect plays a role.  It is an
act of volition.  It is an act of the will.  That is why Jesus says to
become like a child --- a child is not overly-encumbered by "reason" but
more readily has faith than an adult who says, "but what about..."

I realize our group is probably the odd duck out on this one, but we don't
"mind."  :)

Blessings,
Randy


> On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 4:01 PM, <Dpowellaz2@...> wrote:
>
>> I think I am a sinful man who, because of God's Word and his sacrifice
>> of
>> His Son on the cross, made a conscious decision to believe by faith and
>> receive Jesus as my Savior.  At the moment I accepted him into my heart
>> I
>> received salvation, regeneration.  So if I am what I think then this is
>> what
>> I am!
>>
>
> Doc,
>
> Your use of "conscious decision to believe" leads me to ask you "what if
> you
> loose consciousness?"
>
> I think everyone here agrees that the intellect plays at least some role
> in
> our salvation.  Derick and I and the rest of the "Reformed Brethren",
> while
> ascribing the source of our faith in the Sovereign will of God, still
> acknowledge that there is a necessary response of faith on the part of man
> in the act of regeneration.  I believe that Derick and I would both say
> that
> regeneration precedes faith.  I believe that you would deny this.
>
> However, if faith is a "conscious decision to believe" and this faith has
> its source in man and not God, then what happens when we loose
> consciousness?  Do we loose our salvation?
>
> Does an Alzheimer's  or amnesia patient loose his salvation if he forgets
> the decision that he made?
>
> Before you quickly respond with "Hogwash" or "That's ridiculous," please
> think critically about this for a minute.  It seems to follow logically
> from
> your definition of faith that if man's ability to make a conscious
> decisions
> is removed then he cannot be saved.  What do you say?
>
>
> --
>
> Grace and peace,
> Kevin Sigafoos
> ---------------------
> For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory
> forever. Amen. (Rom 11:36)
>
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