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Your problem is with the English translation of the Greek verb "pluck" or "snatch". The form is one for a third party actor. The Greek is only referring to third parties, FK, not ourselves and says absolutely nothing about falling out of God's hand, or jumping out, or "plucking oneself" out, all of which could have been said but weren't.

But this interpretation defies other scripture. In all of the "sheep verses", is there an example of one of Christ's sheep wandering away to be lost permanently? I'm not aware of one. Christ's sheep are believers:

John 10:14 : 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

John 10:26 : ... but you do not believe because you are not my sheep .

Luke 15:3-7 : 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep .' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Did Jesus practice what He preached? :) Did He go after and retrieve ALL of His lost sheep? In addition, you are right that it says nothing about jumping out or plucking oneself out, but that's because it would make no logical sense. Throughout these verses we have the father-child motif going. Under the interpretation you state we have a father who would go to all lengths to prevent anyone else from harming his child. However, if the child decided to harm himself the father would stand idly by and do nothing to save him. This bears zero resemblance to human experience. As parents, don't we know that our children perhaps MOST often need protection from themselves? :) Here, under this interpretation, God falls down on the job when He's needed most.

Thanks for the link to "The People of God, An Orthodox Perspective". I didn't read every word, but I think I got the general idea :

The identity of the "people of God" as being the elect, or called by God, is manifested in the fellowship (koinonia) they have with Christ.

In a way of thinking, this sounds reasonable and there were other similar quotes. I did get the impression that the determination of the elect within time isn't made until after death in the vast majority of cases so this would tend to shy away from even the RCC view of election based on foreknowledge. It didn't seem to me that individuals were elected as such, but rather groups were. People could flow in and out of those groups.

FK, I believe you are reading into this because the rest of the scripture indicate that 'sheep' can fall away, and turn into 'goats.'

many will fall away

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" [1Tim 4:1]

"and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame" [Heb 6:6]

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness" [2Pet 3:17]

The Scripture tells us that many will fall away, that the Spirit explicitly says some will fall away, that this is irreversable, etc.

Clearly what you quote in Luke 15 reflects God's desire to find all His lost sheep, but it is also clear from the rest of the Scripture that those who reject God because they decide to follow the "error of principled men" and pay attention "to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" are not snatched but are doing is willingly and knowingly.

Those who know God have choices. From what you write it seems clear that you deny that we have choices. You believe in 'captive' love; love that imposes. You keep bringing up the example of not allowing your children to walk into traffic or jumping off the cliffs...nonsense. God allows calamity and evil. God allowed Adam and Eve to 'jump off the cliff' and ruin it for themselves and all subsequent generations.

The Parable of the Sower [cf Luke 8] makes it clear, if you read all of it, that the soil we, as seedlings, end up on depends on our hearts and not on chance, nor where God placed us.

We must be free to give back to God what God has given us freely. Otherwise we have something other than love. Love is not a duty. Love is not an obligation. Love is not captive. You cannot make someone love you. Those whom you love you will protect, but if they want to leave because they don't love you, you must let them go. Love is not imposing. Love only gives — freely.