[connectthedots]

I would disagree that some things are predestined and some things aren't. I would say God works in the same way with each of us as He worked with Abraham. Just like Abraham, God came to you knowing you would come to Him. This pushes me over on the spectrum a little more.

Did God speak audibly to you? I have not had that experience, nor do I think many have. Didn't Jesus chastise Thomas for demanding to see his nail-scarred hands? If Thomas had not expressed his 'doubts', I don't think it would have changed anything affecting God's relationship with man. On that basis, that incident may or may not have been predestined, unless there is some specific prophesy I can't recall offhand.

I don't think members of the swarm are going to respond. I suspect they are 'shunning' me, mostly because I have a knack for identifying inconsistencies in their arguments, so it is simply better for them if they say nothing.

[HarleyD]

God doesn't always work the way He did as with Abraham. Look at John the Baptist. Jesus said that he was greater than all the prophets (and Hebrews says Abraham was a prophet) but God never once that we know of spoke to him. God works in whatever way He wills to bring us to Him.

I don't understand the point about Thomas and how it fits with the faith of Abraham.