How about this thought.
Another member posted about (1 Cor. 2:14):
"what scripture is presumed to teach. " But the unsaved man cannot receive Jesus nor the Gospel of God:for it is foolishness unto him : neither can he know it ,because it is spiritually discerned. NSV ( Non scriptural version. )
Here we see this verse used to teach the Calvinistic idea of ' regeneration precedes faith ' And the T in TULIP . But let's look at what the verses actually say . "
Because if they teach what they clearly seem to say, then those in opposition to salvation being all of God, are once again in trouble. This is why we are having this circular discussion about this one area of Scripture and many others. A discussion that on one side needs to prove, "natural man" means something other than what it does.
Whether you want to call it Calvinism or Free Grace, etc... there are too many Scriptures to ignore, or try to explain away. Why not just let Scripture speak and then do your best to harmonize these two great points of Salvation.
On one side:
1) Does Scripture teach being Chosen? YES
2) Does Scripture teach Election? YES
3) Does Scripture teach that there is God given Faith? YES
4) Does Scripture teach Predestination? YES
5) Does God know the exact number of Believers in the end? YES
On the other side:
1) Does Scripture teach that God demands everyone to Repent? YES
2) Does Scripture teach that the Gospel is offered to everyone without exception? YES
Finally, Does Scripture teach that God takes no pleasure in pouring out His Wrath? YES
NOW, Harmonize these facts, without doing damage to either.