As for his insistence that God doesn't play favorites, well, this is laughable really. I'm learning to have a real distaste for the NIV as I watch those who read it misuse scripture. It is a horrible translation of the Word. God obviously does play favorites. He chose Israel exclusively over all other nations; Jacob over Esau, etc.
And his quote from 1 Tim. 2 is very close to Universalist heresy. I'm sure that he doesn't want us to believe that God has commanded us to pray that the very PROPHECIES OF GOD be overthrown. In his zeal to overthrow our Calvinist position, he is not even considering what the scriptures he throws at us teach.
I await your response and I'm sure it will be interesting. I enjoy seeing attempts to state that scripture contradicts itself when your pet verses don't mesh with others, especially out of context. One book is perfectly correct but another is wrong or no, wait, it's the NIV that's wrong, that's it, no wait, I misunderstood it, that's it, blah blah blah. Your doctrine is false. You'll defend it to the death, like a good little Calvinist is supposed to and your buddies on the thread will amen you all night and all of the 'elect' can congratulate themselves on how special and blessed they are. Your comments are certainly interesting as is your smugness about your false doctrine of predestination.
As for my comments to stuartcr; I have a feeling that you must be used to people deferring to you - it's implied by your smugness and haughty disdain toward those who have the motivation to oppose you and expose your false doctrine that you cherish but guess what? You're not my teacher, my minister or my leader in any way. You're a false teacher and a blind guide. Of no use to me. I witness in my own way, guided by prayer, guided by God, not some sanctimonious Calvinist playing the wise man on the internet. Spare me. I'll contend with you and your misguided friends until I'm weary of the argument as Calvinists are usually next to impossible to sway about the doctrine that drives them, I understand that - your belief system is wrapped up in this foolishness and it's near impossible for you to abandon it despite proof to the contrary of your doctrine - but your comments regarding my messages to stuartcr are useless and using a non-believer as a pawn to contend over is beneath contempt, in my opinion.
Knock it off, brother.