Okay, here is what is written:
“And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
So here you have a slave who knew his master’s will & did not do it, & he will receive many lashes. You also have a slave who did not know the master’s will & who committed deeds worthy of a flogging, the result being that he will receive a much lighter punishment than the first slave.
That’s what is written. It doesn’t fit in with annihilation at all. There’s no indication that the first slave will be lashed to death. Certainly the second won’t. In fact, this picture of judgment, painted by Jesus Himself, excludes annihilation as an option. I.e.: there’s no indication that the floggings, or the punishment they represent, will precede a death sentence.
You don’t have to go beyond what is written to see that the Bible does not support the annihilation theory.
Also, why, under Calvinism, would one damned/unelected individual be deemed far more culpable than another? Is that not in and of itself incompatible with Calvinism?
First of all, I am not defending Calvin, nor am I a Calvinist per se. And regardless of your take on annihilation, EVERYONE whose name is not written in the Book of Life is cast into the Lake of Fire, regardless of the severity of their sins!
QUOTE: Calvin’s god was a Sadistic monster. It wasn’t incumbent upon him to create souls for no other purpose than to torment them eternally in hell.
Incidentally, you God creates souls knowing full well the majority will be tormented eternally in the Lake of Fire. How is that any different?
You also quote 2 Pet. 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Interesting choice. What does PERISH mean, tormented forever?