Originally Posted by Johan
But what about Malachi 1:3:

God is talking about nations not individuals (although it also applies to individuals), He hates the wicked and loves those who do righteousness. Look at Essau's life as an example of the Edomites. He sold his firthright, married women he shouldn't have etc. When God said He hated Essau, He was speaking of the wicked.

The apostle Paul quotes Malachi 1:3 in Romans 9:13. And he goes on to say

Originally Posted by Johan
Can one really talk about God's love without also understanding the above? I could not see that Carson refers to these verses.


God is talking about extending saving mercy, He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.

Originally Posted by Johan
As for preaching the gospel my personal view always was that we have to do that irrespective of who is crossing our path because God's elect is not known to us. Why am I lying to a person when I am telling him/her that God provided the sacrifice for our sins and that God so reconciled us with him?
Because according the the high reformed view He only provided Christ for the elect, not for the world, so to tell someone that Christ died for them and if we call on Him we would be saved would be to lie then. I read half of Spurgeon and HyperCalvinism, it is a real eye opener. He faced the same debate back in 1860. As he said, what happens is that people extend their thinking past who God is and go to the opposite extreme of Arminianism into God not providing salvation to any but the elect. I don't know why I was said to be the standaloner, the majority of the Puritans held to the view I hold, the other view is the real standaloners. I almost went that way, but saw the error in it. Why is it so hard to believe God can have a love for everyone and yet only show mercy to the elect?

Hisalone
Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV