THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
The Bible says people choose not to come to Jesus (John 5:40), but also says that people can only come to Jesus if God wills (John 6:44). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Let us look at the passages in question:

John 5:40
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

The supposed contradiction is easily solved by asking how the Father draws people to Jesus. Notice, in John 6:45, "It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." The Father draws people by the teaching of His word. Those who will respond to the gospel are those who have been drawn to Jesus by the Father.

Thus, if one is not willing to hear and obey the gospel, that one will not be willing to come to Jesus that he may have life.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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