One thing I don’t understand. With the belief in double predestination why would Calvinists debate anyone? They are “just along for the ride” and believe that everybody else is also. Isn’t it rather a waste of a Calvinists time to even be involved in any debate? After all, there is nothing anyone is going to be able to do about their destiny anyway.
I believe somewhere back PM stated that he didn't believe any Reformers on this board believed in double predestination. I agree. God doesn't consign anyone to hell. They do it themselves freely and willingly. They've chose to go there. Wouldn't you agree?
Isn’t it rather a waste of a Calvinists time to even be involved in any debate?
On the contrary. God commands us to preach the gospel. We follow orders to do so in obedience to His word. Where the Spirit leads is up to Him. Besides, our loving God gives us blessings in being obedient. For example, I find great benefits in understanding how to control my blood pressure. ;O)
First, not all Calvinists are double predestinarian. I believe it depends on when they think the decree of God was made.
Some, of course, believe that God did not have to predestine to hell if He only predestined the elect to heaven. That would make logical sense. If you don’t specifically appoint someone to heaven, then they are logically going to hell, but not because they were specifically appointed to it.
Any Christian prays, proclaims, follows because God has instructed it. We don’t know how it factors in. The Calvinist knows that his bible says the same as others: “there fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Therefore, he prays. He doesn’t pretend to have such great insight into what God can and can’t do that he disregards God’s own instruction.