This video clip from The Princess Bride is my favorite light-hearted illustration of the Arminian view of human depravity (an issue integrally related to prevenient grace):
http://vimeo.com/28442042
This is the notable part of the exchange:
“Well it just so happens that your friend here is only mostly dead. There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. . . . Now mostly dead is slightly alive. All dead—well, with all dead, there’s only usually one thing that you can do.”
“What’s that?”
“Go through his clothes and look for loose change.”
Another good illustration of the effectual call and regeneration:
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out . . . . (John 11:43–44)
Recommended resources:
- William W. Combs, “Does the Bible Teach Prevenient Grace?” Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 10 (2005): 3–18.
- John Piper, “Total Depravity,” in “TULIP” (a nine-part seminar available in audio and video), 2008.
- Thomas R. Schreiner, “Does Scripture Teach Prevenient Grace in the Wesleyan Sense?” in Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace (ed. Thomas R. Schreiner and Bruce A. Ware; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000), 229–46.
Great movie. Great comparison! Thanks for sharing.
Andy,
I’ve also mentioned this part of the movie in sermons. Brilliant minds must think alike.
This was great. It gave me a good laugh. I will have to remember that in a future paper or something.
Very nice, sir. Gave me and my coworkers a good laugh yesterday.
This is hilarious, love it!
Another overlap ‘twixt us. An allusion to that scene is already in the manuscript of the book I’m working on, and in just this connection.
One of my favorite movies, apart from any subtle theological allusions, but great point nonetheless. Thanks!
Paul Levy must have missed this post – he just discovered the same connection: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2012/01/miracle-max-and-semipelagianis.php