The people of Israel were given choices, indicating a competency to make decisions. Joshua declared, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). This challenge would have been meaningless if the people had no competency or freedom to choose. The heroes of the faith in the Old Testament, such as Elijah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, refused to give up their freedom of conscience to government rulers. In various ways, the New Testament affirms soul freedom. Jesus assumed that individuals had a God-given competency to decide to follow him or not. He indicated that persons were free to believe or not to believe but were held accountable for their choice (John 3:16-21). Some believed and followed, but some did not (Matthew 19:16-22). Jesus never coerced or forced persons to follow himand thus never violated the soul freedom of individuals. Writers of the New Testament consistently set forth the concept of soul freedom. For example, the apostle Paul wrote, “For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?” (1 Corinthians 10:29 NIV). And he pleaded with the Galatian Christians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NIV). Furthermore, leaders in the New Testament churches modeled soul competency. Theynever forced anyone to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. In fact, they resisted religious and governmental authorities who tried to force them not to believe in and speak for Jesus (Acts 5:17-42). Attacks on and Defense of Soul Competency The concept of soul competency has been attacked for various reasons. Some persons contend that such freedom would limit God’s sovereignty. A Baptist response to this challenge has been that the sovereign Lord of the universe chose to create human beings with freedom of choice. The Bible clearly supports this view of human creation, holding forth as truth both the sovereignty of God and the soul freedom of humans. Others have charged that the idea of soul competency leads to human arrogance and pride. It can, of course, but correctly understood, it should lead to humility. All human ability is a gift from God, including freedom of choice. Another accusation is that the concept of soul competency results in subjectivism and hyper-individualism with the accompanying neglect of the importance of the community of believers. Of course, doctrines have the potential of being carried to an extreme that is harmful, but properly understood, soul freedom is exercised in the context of a community of believers. ASumma Bible’s Tea Soul Com In brief, the Bible sets for regard to soul competen Individuals have a Go to know God and hi God, who is sovereig provided this freedo This competency is not a human creatio Persons therefore ar choices; they are no God does not force with his will; neither forced. With this competen responsibility and ac have consequences. In exercising soul fre seek insight from me community, both pre The individual is resp Faith response must and not by a group is part. Governments and re ought not force pers particular church, co creed, or conform to To do so violates libe flies in the face of Go
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