You know, if you think about it from the Reformed logic, why would +Paul even have bothered to write his Epistles to these churches if it was all a predetermined thing?
It was God's will that he (Paul) do so.
The preaching (and teaching) of the gospel is the way that God accomplishes His will regarding the salvation of men.
The reformed theology claims that true believers would never "fall off" and those who did were never believers to begin with. The reprobate were never among the 'elect,' and it was not their decision, but God's, so what business did +Paul have correcting that which God rejected?
It is also God's will that Christians grow in godliness. The teachings of scripture are also useful for facilitating this growth.1 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:I don't find scriptural evidence that Paul attampts to correct the reprobate, but rather, ... that he warns the believer against reprobation.
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
And those who believed that they believed, but turned out to be reprobate, must have presumed that they have faith for an unspecified period of time. And some must, no doubt, continue presuming.
I believe that there are those ... though I believe that they are few ... that will taste the gifts of God ... and make a conscious decision to walk away from them. For such ... the reprobate ... there is no coming back.Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,After all, it costs nothing to presume and the rewards may be worth it. Take out 'whatsin-it-for-me" the life-everlasting formula out of the Christian equation and see how many people profess faith in God for His glory alone.
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Note that God did not offer a salvation devoid of benefit to us. It was not His will.
Then it must have been God's will that Corinthians disobey what they were taught; it was all staged.
The preaching (and teaching) of the gospel is the way that God accomplishes His will regarding the salvation of men
But men will believe (or not believe) because God predetermined them to do so, and not because someone is preaching to them, right?
I don't find scriptural evidence that Paul attempts to correct the reprobate, but rather, ... that he warns the believer against reprobation
Warns them, why? The believers will believe because, according to Reformed theology, God determined before all ages that they will be believers from.
Nothing will change that, right? It's not up to +Paul to add or subtract from God's will, correct? It must have all been then for effect because the believers have believed and disbelievers didn't, regardless of what men say or do, correct?
+Paul was just playing his part in the great God's drama, right?
I believe that there are those [who fall away after having believed]... though I believe that they are few ... that will taste the gifts of God ... and make a conscious decision to walk away from them. For such ... the reprobate ... there is no coming back
But the believing or not believing is not from them but from God, right? So, what do they have in that decision? Nothing! It's not theirs to begin with according to Reformed theology, is it?
Heb 6:4-6...
And who is this author using as authority on that? If anything, God kept coming back and offering unbelieving Jews chances to be redeemed over and over. It's mostly +Paul textproofing +Paul.