Hi Paul,

Please note:
(1) “Rebuttals to Arminius” has nothing to do with what is being discussed.
(2) The perspective of the “unredeemed sinner” (is there any other kind?) is irrelevant.
(3) The fact that one is "T" has no relevance (under Calvinism) whether one is chosen for salvation or not: "That some receive the gift of faith from God, and others do not receive it, proceeds from God's eternal decree" (Canons of Dort, Art.6); "Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He has out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault...a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ..." (ibid., Art.7); "This election was not founded upon foreseen faith and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality or disposition in man, as the prerequisite, cause, or condition..." (ibid. Art.9).

Some questions to consider:
(1) Why will “the fruit of that election will never known by those who resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit”?
(2) Why do they resist the Holy Spirit?
(3) Why does not the Holy Spirit show them the “T”?
(4) Why is it impossible for them to be forgiven?

Is not the answer found ultimately in that, according to Calvinism, “the decree of God…foreordained [other men] to everlasting death”?

I don’t see where “Christ-exalting evangelism and preaching” is pertinent to the discussion.

As much as I respect Packer, he would quickly go back to TULIP to explain just how God does save sinners.

That God saves sinners is a basic tenet of the Bible, not Calvinism; it is a Bible truth, not a “Calvinistic truth”. The basic and essential tenet of Calvinism is “how” God saves sinners. Saving sinners is the heart and soul of the Bible; “unconditional election” (if not all 5-points) is the heart and soul of Calvinism.

Respectfully...