Daddy wrote:
He does not care about grammar.
For all the talk of Scripture interpreting scripture (which they only use as a red herring to avoid the immediate context) you would think that they could see that in Paul's epistle grace is always the gift not faith.
They want to hang their theology on one verse that they interpret without any consideration of the laws of language.
That's why its so easy to take their untruth to the woodshed.

FOR whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

MOREOVER whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

I don't agree with Kuyper on everything, but I think he hit the nail on the head here.

Faith is almost analogous with belief. Who among us did not feel akin to the man who cried out to Jesus, "Lord I believe, please help my unbelief."

I do not like Arminianism - but I loathe and despise hyper-Calvinism. The Arminian may have a man-centred gospel, but that is only till he starts praying to God for conversions. When we are on our knees we all become Calvinists (Spurgeon).

But the hyper-Calvinist, who is not worthy to bear the name of that great evangelist John Calvin, sits at home on his derriere and thinks he has to do nothing because God has His elect and if He wants to bring them in He will.

Yes, our righteousness is imputed. But after our conversion, after we have received the righteousness of Christ, we begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is the meaning in the Beatitudes.

The ones rejected by Christ for false profession are told (literally) "Depart from me, you who practise lawlesness!"

Two times in Revelation the saints are referred to as those who "Had the testimony of Jesus Christ AND kept the commandments of God."

The Bible defines a Christian as one who now has the law of God written on their heart.

I know legalism is a curse and many are trying to earn their salvation. But antinomianism is just as bad for it rejects the very words of Jesus, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

What - you thought the Son had a different set of "thou shalt nots" to the Father?

Now the question is, what is God's purpose? It can only be the salvation of all men, the salvation of no men or the salvation of some men. Did God purpose from before the foundation of the world (pre-history, as you said) that all would be saved? It is obvious this is not so.

Did He then purpose that none would be saved? Then the salvation of men would depend on each man walking that narrow gate, God urging them on as best he can.

Or did He purpose to save many (but not all men) and make their salvation sure? Romans 8 tells me that I can have confidence in all things because God works all out for good, why, because He has made salvation 100% certain for His elect and works out everything at all times for their good to His glory.

When you put the focus back on yourself, truly evaluate yourself and then ask, "Why would God even be bothered with a lowlife loser like me?" then all this other stuff fades away and you feel the wonder and mystery and awe of personal salvation all over again.

In our debates, as important as I think they are, we can get so carried away with hermeneutics, definitions, apologetics etc that we forget the main issue for a while. Christ died for me! Me! Sometimes we need to be reminded of that awesome miracle again, as we too often take it for granted.

Daddy wrote:
How about putting aside the childish pontifications and reverting back to the topic.

Not if you have any ounce of respect for the English language and for the integrity of Scriptures in general.
The context is more than clear that "us-ward" and "any" are antecedents to the ungodly.
To say otherwise makes a mockery of your own Calvinism by insisting that the elect are in danger of judgement.
Sorry, your untruth has been taken to the woodshed.

Daddy wrote:
Let us know when you are done with your itchy-twitchy dance and are ready to get back on point.

The God of the Bible does mean what He states. He stated He is Almighty, does according to His will in all things, and no purpose of His can be thwarted. I can confidently preach the gospel because my God has assured me that His Word never returns to Him void, but always accomplishes His eternal purposes. So if people are converted, God's purpose is fulfilled. If people are condemned, His purpose is fulfilled. In all things, God has total and absolute control and nothing happens without His express will.

When the Bible tells us that we are dead in sin, does it mean dead or something else?

When Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless first granted by God was He serious or not?

When Nicodemus was told that he must be regenerated before he could even see the kingdom of God, was that only in special circumstances or did that apply to all men?

When Paul answered every Arminian objection in Romans 9, and did so in language that was as clear as crystal, did he mean what he said or do we have to take it with a grain of salt?

When Christ said He came to do God's will, did He actually achieve this, and if so, was it God's will that all men turned to Christ?

When God said He does as He pleases and no one can resist His will, was He boasting or being wishful?