This is pathetic.
Webster's definition of partial (in context)
inclined to favor one party more than the other : BIASED
markedly fond of someone or something
I there is any wonder if the second definition means something positive, look at the synonyms.
Thesaurus: Synonyms: biased, one-sided, partisan, prejudiced
Dictionary.com Unbridged biased or prejudiced in favor of a person, group, side
Synonyms: one-sided, unfair, unjust
American heritage Dictionary Favoring one person or side over another or others; biased or prejudiced
WorldNet Dictionary showing favoritism
Maybe they made this up too? Every other dicitonary I looked at shows "partiality" and being "partial" as everything God is NOT.
God is not "fond" of you. He is just. in His eyes you are either just or you are not. He doesn't love you the way you love Him. He doesn't need you. To Him you are either visible (good) or invisible (evil).
Looks like you hit a soft spot of the self-defined “elect”.
But then, maybe I’m just partial...
Maybe that's because this is what you've been taught by your church hierarchy -- do as we say and don't question it.
But the funny thing is I didn't find your definition of "partial" as you presented it at dictionary.com.
Imagine that.
Dictionary.com Unbridged biased or prejudiced in favor of a person, group, side
But you didn't finished that sentence. Surprisingly, you left off half the definition...
"biased or prejudiced in favor of a person, group, side, etc., over another, as in a controversy: a partial witness.
So "partial" is a good thing. Just as Christ is a very partial witness for those who are His.
For emphasis, dictionary.com adds...
"Favoring one person or side over another or others; biased or prejudiced: a decision that was partial to the plaintiff."
So again we see that to be "partial towards someone," even under the rubric of "bias and prejudice," is still a good thing for those who have been so favored.
(Interestingly, also note the judicial context of both examples. Exactly like Scripture and God's perfect judgment of His children by the acquittal won for them by Christ on the cross.)
Further, I didn't find words like "unfair" or "unjust" to define "partial." Those words were used, however, under "Related Forms" for the word "partialness."
Not quite the same thing...
Related forms
par·tial·ly, adverb
par·tial·ness, noun
"Synonyms 1. unfinished, imperfect, limited. 2. one-sided, unfair, unjust.
As you can see, this is referring to a different word -- partialness.
The fact remains that to be "partial" toward someone means to favor them, as God has favored His children by redeeming them from their sins through the blood of Christ.
How does one experience true gratitude if one does not rightly understand God's gift of unmerited grace?
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -- 1 John 4:10