Originally Posted by Tom
They say that God predestines the elect, but not the non-elect. Yet, no matter how one tries to reason around it, if he predestines some to eternal life and leaves others in their trespasses and sins, He in essence is predestining both the elect and non-elect.
Exactly! Again, this all boils down to the doctrine of Total Depravity!!!!!!! If one accepts the biblical truth of the Fall and Original Sin (not Adam's first sin but the punishment for that sin; corruption of nature and guilt) then without a direct intervention of God upon a sinner, there is no possibility anyone could or would be saved from the eternal damnation they deserve. "Leaving" a fallen man to himself is a guarantee he will be cast into hell. It doesn't open the "chance" that this sinner would ever repent and believe upon Christ given that he is by nature a hater of God, of Christ and all that is good. He has no interest whatsoever in being reconciled to God and being forgiven for his sins.

This view is also a denial of God's omnipotence, His supreme sovereignty by which ALL THINGS exist and happen according to His good pleasure (Isa 46:9,10) and providence. God determines the beginning and the end of all things including human beings. NOTHING is left unto itself, which is what Deism teaches... God created the world like a clock, would it up and then sits back and lets it run on its own.

Thus, God decreed the Fall and who out of Adam's fallen race would be redeemed from it. Those not decreed to be saved were de facto decreed to remain in their fallen state and face the judgment and punishment due them on the last day. This is called the decree/doctrine of Reprobation. (see Reprobation by John Bunyan).


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simul iustus et peccator

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