He allows it rather than causes it. I have already made my case for this
Well, when you figure out why He allows it, let me know. You seem to know How He thinks for everything else, contrary to what you said a paragraph earlier. But, as for your "case" it seems you have convinced yourself more than those you are trying to convince. Maybe you should start with your more recent Calvinist member, Albion Girl (post #4432); she seems to believe that God made everything, the good -- and the bad.
Perhaps it was to show us our need for Him and that we must be completely dependent on Him
Maybe you can explain to me first why would the "rejects" depend on, and need Him if they have been "condemned" to hell from all eternity?
...you continue to mix man's and God's points of view
And you continue to write as if you know what God thinks? Everyone else seems to be doing that. This is why I am skeptical about the Bible. Everyone reads into it what he or she wants.
Depending on what you mean, there's no figuring to it, it's simple. Sin happens. God has the exclusive and ultimate authority to prevent it. He doesn't in all cases. Therefore He allows it. Now, if you mean why did God order the universe to include sin for men, that is much more difficult to say. As I said in my post, perhaps one reason is that we can so much better understand our need for Him and His love for us. But of course, far be it from me to declare why.
But, as for your "case" it seems you have convinced yourself more than those you are trying to convince. Maybe you should start with your more recent Calvinist member, Albion Girl (post #4432); she seems to believe that God made everything, the good -- and the bad.
I have met AG on this thread, and I think her posts have been wonderful and wise. My case was that God is not the author of evil, but He allows things to happen that are evil. AG said that " ... God created all, good and bad and everything in between." Perhaps she got this crazy idea from places like this:
JOHN 1:1-3,10 : 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ... 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
God created sharks. Sometimes, sharks eat people. We say that's "bad". This is very different from any suggestion that God proactively inserts an evil demon or something into someone to make him do something terrible. I will let AG speak for herself on how she sees this distinction.
[on my possibility as to why God allows sin] Maybe you can explain to me first why would the "rejects" depend on, and need Him if they have been "condemned" to hell from all eternity?
You use words like "condemn" because you place a duty on God to love everyone equally, and provide for everyone's salvation, if it his/her choice. I do not see that in the Bible at all. I see a sovereign God, who does not "owe" us anything from the beginning. Those who are not of the elect will not depend on, or experience a genuine need for God.
And you continue to write as if you know what God thinks? Everyone else seems to be doing that. This is why I am skeptical about the Bible. Everyone reads into it what he or she wants. (emphasis added)
You said it, I didn't. :) It doesn't affect my view of the Bible at all whether others have other views of it, or even try to tear it down. I don't think the Bible is right because I, or any other man, or group of men says it is. I say that the Bible is truth regardless of any of our beliefs. Some will hear the truth, some will not. -- I have never relied on my "view" of what God "thinks", in the ether, I rely on what He says, in the scripture.