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.
in your "free will", is there anything you do that is a surprise to God?
ok - but just one more time - i really have to clean up the cats hairballs
Does God know BEFORE a child is born is that child will profess a faith or not?
Well, of course - He's omnipotent...
By the same token, He, knows ALL - part of that ALL, is knowing who is or isnt "elect"
Why do you limit God?
Are you perhaps confusing the elect with the non-elect?
We don't know who the elect are. As the great Baptist preacher Spurgeon said "We can't lift their shirts and look for a stripe that identifies one as a member of the elect. We preach the Gospel to all knowing the elect will respond." (paraphrased)
One can be elect and not yet regenerate, or one can be elect and regenerated. But the elect will always be saved because they will not die before the Holy Spirit gives them a heart of flesh, just like the thief on the cross.
The non-elect will never come to Christ because, well, they just don't want to. They will go through life thinking they are good enough, they just don't need Christ.
Election is throughout Scripture, but especially Romans 8:28-Romans 9 and in Ephesians 1.
Interesting Saint Paul knew the objections to Sovereign Grace, just like he seems to in his other writings, and answers them on Romans 9.