Faith Available to Anyone — the Case to Be Made

2026-10-18 · faithelectionfree-will

This essay is a placeholder — a writing plan. The full case is being written.

Placeholder essay. This page is a writing plan. Replace it with the full essay when ready, then set placeholder: false in the front matter at the top of the file.

What this essay will cover

The universality of the gospel call, faith as a genuine human response, and a careful treatment of the election texts that seem to pull the other way.

Primary evidence

The universal offer. John 3:16 — whosoever believeth. Revelation 22:17 — “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” 1 Timothy 2:3–4 — God wills all men to be saved.
Believing as something people are commanded to do. Acts 16:31 — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” John 6:29 — “This is the work of God, that ye believe.”
Whosoever-gospel preaching. Mark 16:15–16 — preached to every creature; the same audience invited and held responsible.

Secondary evidence

The consistent pattern in Acts: hear, believe, respond — the hearers choosing.
The early church’s struggle with predestination (Augustine vs. Pelagius and the middle that preceded both).

Objections and replies

“What about Romans 9 and Ephesians 1:4–5?”
“Doesn’t ‘dead in trespasses and sins’ mean people cannot choose?”

Sources to cite

Primary text first; then historians of the early church; then the strongest opposing voice, quoted fairly.

This essay is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 — share it freely with credit, unaltered, non-commercial. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain).