[Cronos]

[from Warfield:] "...(”To imagine that we are not controlled is to imagine that there is no God. For when we say God, we say control. If a single creature which God has made has escaped beyond his control, at the moment that he has done so he has abolished God. A God who could or would make a creature whom he could not or would not control, is no God. The moment he should make such a creature he would, of course, abdicate his throne. The universe he had created would have ceased to be his universe; or rather it would cease to exist-for the universe is held together only by the control of God.”)...

That's a wrong argument. No creature has "escaped" from God's control, because free will is not "escape". If God wants to come tomorrow and make us all, including Satan etc just robotons, HE can. HE has that power, undeniably. But HE has given us the free will to choose not to accept Him.

It's like the difference between a parent that ties a child down and controls their very thoughts as opposed to a parent that directs a child, teaches a child, puts up safety nets, but allows the child to grow. That, latter, loving parent is God.

[Forest Keeper]

[from Warfield:] "...(”To imagine that we are not controlled is to imagine that there is no God. For when we say God, we say control. If a single creature which God has made has escaped beyond his control, at the moment that he has done so he has abolished God. A God who could or would make a creature whom he could not or would not control, is no God. The moment he should make such a creature he would, of course, abdicate his throne. The universe he had created would have ceased to be his universe; or rather it would cease to exist-for the universe is held together only by the control of God.”)...

That's a wrong argument. No creature has "escaped" from God's control, because free will is not "escape".

Free will IS escaping God's control if it conflicts with God's will AND prevails. Free will advocates say all the time that God's will is for all to be saved. Therefore, when free will is used to reject God, that is going outside of God's control. Saying that it was OK with God to go outside of His control is no answer. That nullifies the God of the Bible.

It's like the difference between a parent that ties a child down and controls their very thoughts as opposed to a parent that directs a child, teaches a child, puts up safety nets, but allows the child to grow. That, latter, loving parent is God.

No, it's nothing of the kind. :) We certainly don't experience the former, do we? And of course God allows us to grow. He sanctifies us in love. The difference is only between who is in ultimate control, God or man?