faith "vs" works

[thepaulinator]

Paul (the Paulinator) asks what the effective cause of sin is. We cannot ignore this question except to our own peril.

I think someone might have answered this in some form or fashion elsewhere, but I appreciate your answer as well Bill!!!

"Reformed" is a very ambiguous and doubtful label, especially today.

I was not assuming it was only the reformed view, if it came across as such, I apologize. I simply meant how the majority on this board (who I understand to be reformed calvinists? more or less?) viewed the statements of that man. Thank you again Bill. Peace

[coemgen]

It seems to say that God has willed it to be allowed. His first point says that "freedom of will is necessary to virtue". From the reformed standpoint, what is this to mean?

Romans 7:13

"Was that which is good made sin unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it may apear sin, working death in me by that which is good: that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful."

Prevenient Grace

Trichotomy

Father spirit Prevenient Grace
Son = God soul = human Converting Grace = Salvation
Spirit body Sanctifiying Grace

http://www.wholeperson-counseling.org/id/trichotomy.htm

Social biology is beginning to take religion seriously, though it takes a pluralistic view.

http://faculty.tui.edu/sharpek/EP01.htm

However the biological epigenetic imperative for vengance or the expectation for punishment is not fully met except by the vicariouse atonement of Christ.(justification/propitiation) There also is the influence upon our consiousness afterward by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace(works of piety, works of mercy)Bring true Christian Altruism

Christian Philosopher Nancy Murphy has an interesting article on the unity of the person from a scientific viewpoint which would do well to present the gospel to critical minds.
Getting Mind Out Of Meat
A non-reductive physicalist account of human nature
http://www.counterbalance.net/evp-mind/index-frame.html

Now in view of this and the above article on social biology I make the inferance that the non-reductive physicalist would indicate that in order for the trichotomy of the individual to become a moral person-(in the Christian sense, though she does not see this at least here)- she must be influenced by the thrichotomy of God- throught the trichotomy of Salvation(means of grace). This would over come the reductive physicalist tendancies-(epigenetic imperatives)-what Christians call the flesh.
Non-reductive physicalist-Spirit
Reductive physicalist-Flesh