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If he is rejecting his faith - and he really means it - then I would question if his faith was genuine to begin with.

So he may have thought that he was "once saved, always saved," but actually wasn't?

The Holy Spirit is within a believer, so especially in times of dire stress, he is a strong presence there, so a person who is under extreme duress probably would not curse God. And, if he slips up in this instant, after a lifetime of faith, I believe the grace of God is so strong that, yes, he would still be saved. You see, there is NOTHING that can separate us from God's love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38,39)

God always loves us. But sometimes, we don't love Him. Like when we sin.

So, in your hypothetical example, the answer is relative to what only God is able to see - a man's heart.

So how does this support "eternal security?"

Now, this is unlike the example Metmom gave about the numerous Popes who were not at all hypothetical - they actually DID those things and probably far worse than we'll ever know about. Yet they were elected by supposedly Godly men for a position that is supposedly ordained by God, Himself, so that there is an "unbroken line of succession from St. Peter". The question must be how do you rectify the actual? We can argue hypotheticals all night.

Who picked Judas to be an Apostle?

Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable.

So he may have thought that he was "once saved, always saved," but actually wasn't? God always loves us. But sometimes, we don't love Him. Like when we sin.

The Scriptures give us ample ways to know whether or not the faith we profess is genuine or not. The doctrine of Eternal Security is based upon the promises of God and His grace which saves us to the uttermost who put our faith in Him. When we sin - and we all will - God forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. But those who are saved by grace through faith will not be judged according to their sins - as the punishment for sin has been borne by the Savior. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Jesus said those who believed in Him were not condemned (John 3:18).

Who picked Judas to be an Apostle? Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable.

Jesus picked Judas already knowing what he would do and it fit within God's plan. The College of Cardinals, who decide who will lead ALL Christians (according to the Catholic Church) are NOT God. Jesus didn't pick Judas for his role in the ministry of reconciliation after the resurrection. The CofC is said to have a divine responsibility to choose the successor to Peter to lead the entire church. Neither Peter nor God would have had anything to do with those Popes who were abominations to the faith. There is a great deal of difference between failings of men that are Christians and gross sin among men that call themselves Christians and the leaders of all Christians. There is no logical reason why God would have specifically chosen all those men who got picked to be Pope who got there through simony and bribery of other Cardinals and Bishops and who had and continued to have gross sin in their lives. That the cardinals and bishops thought so little of their responsibilities to the faithful that they knowingly anointed men to the very top rung of church leadership further demonstrates that the Apostolic Succession that the Catholic Church likes to propose it alone possesses is pure myth.

From what I know about Peter's faith, I don't doubt for a moment, that had Judas lived, he wouldn't have found ANY position available to him in the community of believers. And that really is what we are talking about.

So he may have thought that he was "once saved, always saved," but actually wasn't?

Lots of people think they're saved but it depends on who or what they are trusting to save them.

God always loves us. But sometimes, we don't love Him. Like when we sin.

A false dichotomy. No wonder Catholics get confused about stuff. They start out with wrong premises regularly.

My love for God does not turn on or off. I love Him always. My behavior doesn't always line up with what He or I would like, but my sinning is not an indicator of my not loving Him. Don't forget, Lot was called *righteous Lot* hardly a term I'd apply to a man who did what he did, but God knows better.

Who picked Judas to be an Apostle?

Jesus knew what He was doing. Scripture HAD to be fulfilled and Judas did that.

Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable.

What a cop out. We're not talking about impeccable. We're talking about gross, deviant immorality done by those who are supposed to be Peter's successors, Christ's representatives here on earth.

I find it ironic and hypocritical that Catholics blow off the abominable behavior of their popes and priest with a *well, nobody is perfect* flippant attitude and yet when a non-Catholic sins, they are all over him like white on rice. If any non-Catholic religious leader did half of what some of your popes have done, they would be rightly soundly condemned by non-Catholic churches and completely shredded by Catholics. Ted Haggard comes to mind and yet what he did pales by comparison to what some of your popes have been recorded as having done and from Catholics all we get is *well, nobody is perfect*? "Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable."

Give me a break.

All those examples of gross immorality that Catholics like to give and then ask that if a *Protestant* did, are they still saved, applies to Catholics as well.

And the same answer should be given.