[armydoc]

So--your god creates eternal, living souls for the express purpose of throwing them into Hell?

I'll let St. Paul answer:

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath-prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory (Rom 9:20-23).

But He does accept *our* decision to either go to Heaven or to Hell.

In that case, you have reason to boast, for you had the innate wisdom and goodness to 'partner up' with God to achieve your salvation. Well done! As for me, I will boast of nothing but Christ. My only contribution to my salvation is my sin.

[ShadowAce]

I'll let St. Paul answer:

I'm familiar with that passage. It does not say what you are trying to make it say.

'Why did you make me like this?' does not say "Why did you make me just to throw me into Hell? It does say "Like this", indicating our flaws and weaknesses that we must deal with and overcome to follow Christ.

"Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"

Common use does not indicate the purpose of being thrown into Hell. It does mean one who follows, rather than one who is destined for "noble purpose" like Paul or the other Apostles.

In that case, you have reason to boast...

Nope, I don't. Christ does all the work. One does not boast for merely accepting a gift or following through with a covenant.