>>How could Christ say to the Good Thief on Good Friday, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”<<
How would we know whether or not the thief was one of the elect? We would know only after it was obvious that the thief was saved. An example for all of us I would think.
I too have struggled with the Calvinistic concept of election but think I understand it by the above example.
I don’t see any validity in the theory, because of original sin and free will.
Some people can turn their lives around — and no Calvinist can say one day — they are not saved, and another day — they are saved.
It just isn’t logical to me.
Besides, God has no time limits. God’s time is not in an analog line like ours is — God’s time is all-encompassing.
I just thought of something else. What about the good men and women of the Old Testament. Are they “saved” or “not saved” according to Calvinists?
I’m just wondering and am serious in my questioning, for I think there is error in their (Calvinisitic) thinking.