[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

I have many, many thoughts and I suppose we could swap scripture verses for hours, but your are well studied and I am well studied so that is not my interest really....what I'm wondering as I see the cyclical resurgence of Calvinism is what forces are bring it around.....I am not speaking of the traditionally reform churches but the embracing of Calvin on college campuses and in SBC churches....

Alright, lemme offer this suggestion:

The Calvinistic Doctrines of Total Depravity and Absolute Predestination being, as they are, the Biblical teachings on these subjects... the Holy Spirit works throughout the ages to always maintain a Remnant who are Faithful to these Biblical Teachings.

Have you considered that possibility? So now, the question you have to ask is: "Are the Calvinistic Doctrines of Total Depravity and Absolute Predestination, in fact, Biblical?"

You said that Calvinism paints God as unloving -- but you didn't explain why you think so. In fact, your statement simply presupposes that Calvinism is untrue -- for if Calvinism is true, then its understanding of God is, necessarily, not of an "unloving" God!

Which brings us back to this question:

Given, then, that ALL Fallen Men deserve Hell; and that NO Fallen Man would ever accept Jesus without first being Regenerated by the Holy Spirit; is God not perfectly Just to damn whomsoever He pleases, and perfectly Loving to grant Spiritual Life to whomsoever He pleases?

Yes, or No? Why, or Why Not? There's no need for an extended dissertation; it's a simple enough question.

Your thoughts?

[reflecting]

Have you considered that possibility?

Sure I've considered it. But that would presuppose the correctness of Calvin or Calvin minus two. There is small line of Anabaptist through the ages, we could suggest God is preserving that group also ..... but this remnant concept gets to what I am interested in...my son suggested this week (college boy) that he thinks it is a reaction to the fear and alienation Christians are encountering in an growing hostile culture...a solace in the "we are the remnant, the few the chosen"

for if Calvinism is true, then its understanding of God is, necessarily, not of an "unloving" God!

the equation is flawed .....you are saying Calvin=True, God=Love, God=True, therefore Calvin = Love.

I would suggest that since we know God=Love=True could Calvin=True ?