Why I Believe Predestination

It's a wonder how God allowed His Word to exist for 1500 years without the help of John Calvin. All those poor, condemned-from-before-time-began souls that died unsaved for 15 centuries but were doomed to hell anyway because they weren't 'elected'. How transparently false a doctrine you folks embrace and defend, pretending it's the Word of God when the Word is clear and disagrees with your ancient findings from people who were in grave error regarding the will of God to begin with.

Another excellent post Jim Scott!

I'm sure it must do your heart good to know that the Calvinist are "praying for you"...of course not knowing what good it could possibly do...since according to their own theology your predestination has already been determined and you really can't help yourself.

But then again this is just one more of countless examples of Calvinists contradicting their professed beliefs......I guess God predestined them to be hypocrites.
How sad.

Since everyone would reject God if left to their own devices, your point is meaningless. If it were not for that, it would be a valid one.

My point is not meaningless, but cuts to the heart of the Calvinist heresy.

HOW can the Lord send His disciples to preach the Gospel of salvation to the whole world.......How can God offer salvation to ALL men KNOWING it is IMPOSSIBLE for most of them to really be saved at all?
...Because He has already determined that He is going to send them to Hell...NO MATTER WHAT?

Calvinist preach a God who is a monster and a liar and cannot be trusted.
This is not the wonderful, gracious and forgiving Lord I believe in.

Just because the verse doesn't mention predestination does't mean that it automatically supports free will.

Why wouldn't you use your God-given common sense and believe what the scripture is plainly saying to you. Don't interpret scripture by what it doesn't say, so that it fits a preconcieved notion, but by what it does say so that it fits with what God is revealing. And it says that "Noah found favor", which I would suggest to you implies a free-will action on his part.

The foreknowledge of God does not imply a loss of free-will on our part.

I'll forgo the ad-hominem. Hope that you do the same.

Re: Post 539

Sorry if my post offended you so, but I think you either misunderstand, or distort, what I was trying to say. Bare with me, and I'll try again:
Having the right doctrine is meaningless if God hasn't given the person a new heart - and an agape love. I Corinthians 13 states it very well, and just to quote a couple of the verses:

1 Cor 13:2-3
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love (agape), I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love (agape), it profiteth me nothing.

Likewise, a person can cling to some biblically incorrect doctrine, such as 'free will', 'arminianism', 'works for salvation programs', etc; and if God has given them a loving heart - they are of His kingdom. You may believe this is a condenscending statement - but I know only God can judge the heart of another man. And a broken heart and a contrite spirit He will not disrespect. Having a PhD in doctrinal theology is not a prerequisite.

And regarding your last comment:

The Bible teaches both God's sovereignty and man's responsibility when it comes to salvation. Otherwise God could not fairly hold man responsible for rejecting Christ......because according to Calvinist, God is the One responsible....and yet He punishes man. How warped.

I can't be upset with your hostility, because I was sitting in your same seat a few years ago. Let me try again though:
Man (we) is responsible for his sinful nature. There seems to be no reason why we can't reject sin and turn to God - but we don't, and we can't. Its a genetic trait handed down from Adam. We will not choose God until God opens our eyes, and gives us a new heart. Even then we will be warring with sin in our flesh until the day we die. For some reason you want to twist our sinful nature as being God's fault. Sort of like the potshards blaming the potter. The only thing you can rightfully 'blame' God for is the fact that He saves. Praise the Lord - and may He continue to save many.

God does not predestine people to go to hell. He predestined to save people that were going to hell. In regeneration you are created anew with a new set of desires. Your inclination to want to do right, and your sorrow when you fail are evidence that God is your Father. That is where you can find rest. If you have seen yourself as completely undone, then you will love the doctrine of predestination. Actions do not make the man, they reveal the man.

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