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Anyway, as a lawyer-type I am drawn to a system like Calvinism because it really is internally consistent and matches the scriptures as I claim the Holy Spirit has led me to understand them. I believe that our God is a rational being and does everything He does for a rational purpose, EVEN IF it doesn't seem rational to me at the time. Reformers have no problem with the concept of the "mysteries" of God. We CAN'T explain "everything" and do not pretend that we can. We just say that for whatever reason He did such and such, it was not an irrational act without purpose.

Amen, FK!

It's no coincidence one of history's two greatest reformers was a lawyer. Like you, John Calvin found in Scripture a coherence and logic that was internally sound because it was all predicated on the sovereignty of God to whom be all the glory.

Within the Scriptures (which the RCC worked to withhold from the people) Calvin rediscovered exactly what Augustine said was there -- the predestining will and wisdom of the Trinitarian God. Anyone who actually reads the Scriptures will find the same things, if God gives them new eyes and ears to see and hear the truth of who He says He is.

Who can read Ephesians 1 & 2 and Romans 8 & 9 and not see God's control of His creation on every page?

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." -- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-14

Who can read Ephesians 1 & 2 and Romans 8 & 9 and not see God's control of His creation on every page?

AMEN. It's all right there for anyone and EVERYONE to see. We also have this:

1 Sam 8:6-7 : 6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

1 Sam 12:17-19 : 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king." 18 Then Samuel called upon the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel. 19 The people all said to Samuel, "Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king."

Not only has God always maintained full control, but He didn't even want people THINKING they were in control. Some would have us believe that God has changed His mind.