But that isnt the end all. The ultimate question is why are some saved and some not. Why do some repent and some not? The essence of the Reformation was this central fact: that God's will is sovereign, and that it is by His grace alone that we are saved. Passages like Romans 9:18 state, "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."
The Reformed understanding is best encapsulated in John 6:37 -- "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." The first half emphasizes the sureness of the election of the Father -- that those he elected will come to Christ. The second half emphasizes the free offer of the gospel-- that whoever comes to Christ will be accepted. Not only is this the essence of Calvinism, this is the essence of Christianity. You reject it at your soul's peril.
Meaningless, Calvinistic double-talk! Man is required to do something, he is unable to do.
It even makes your god more of a fiend! Now, your god becomes a sadist punishing man for something that man is unable to do!
But that isnt the end all. The ultimate question is why are some saved and some not. Why do some repent and some not? The essence of the Reformation was this central fact: that God's will is sovereign, and that it is by His grace alone that we are saved. Passages like Romans 9:18 state, "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."
Hey, I've seen that verse before!
Did you know that those verses are talking about Israel and not individual salvation?
Have you seen 1Tim.2:4? Or how about Jn.3:16? Or, 2Pet.3:9?, Jn.2:2,?Heb.2:9? I guess not!
The Reformed understanding is best encapsulated in John 6:37 -- "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." The first half emphasizes the sureness of the election of the Father -- that those he elected will come to Christ. The second half emphasizes the free offer of the gospel-- that whoever comes to Christ will be accepted. Not only is this the essence of Calvinism, this is the essence of Christianity. You reject it at your soul's peril.
Hey, you forgot Jn.12:32-When Christ was lifted up He said He would draw all men to Him!
Oh, that's right, now we go into the two wills of God, where the Father really knows what is going to happen, but the 'poor' Son, He thinks that all men are actually savable!
Did you know that Calvin stated that ignorance is learning? Now,that is the essence of Calvinism!