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"In any case, only God knows who the elect are - we don't.

"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation..." 2 Thess 2:13"

Harley, if your interpretation of this passage from +Paul is correct, what's this mean from Timothy?

"This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

All men, Harley, not just the "elect". Is God exercising divine self dillusion? Or do these two passages point out the bankruptcy of the Calvinist position and support The Church's understanding of God's foreknowledge but not predestination?

All men, Harley, not just the "elect". Is God exercising divine self dillusion? Or do these two passages point out the bankruptcy of the Calvinist position and support The Church's understanding of God's foreknowledge but not predestination?

It's a mystery.

Just kidding. :O)

1Ti 2:3-4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Is it really God's desire that "all men" come to the knowledge of the truth? If God wanted "ALL" men to come to the knowledge of the truth He would bring them to the knowledge of the truth. Consider this other passage:

2Ti 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

It is God who grants that we may repent and this leads to the knowledge of the truth. If it was God's desire for ALL men to come to the knowledge of the truth, He would grant that everyone repent which, of course, we know doesn't happen. If you want further proof consider:

2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

There are some who never come to the knowledge of the truth. It is God that grants this capability and He discriminates to who He gives it to.

Therefore, your interpretation has to be incorrect that God wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth. He doesn't. So what does 1 Tim 2:3-4 mean? It can only be interpreted as a general statement that it is God's desire that men from all stations of life come to Him as He so draws them and grants that they may repent.