Acts2:38
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Yes - Calvin was correct in this.
God not only knew what His creation would do if He did certain things. He also knew what He would do.
Election with attendant grace and the passing by of those not so elected are two of those things destined to occur.
Of course there are other destinies in history which He knew from before the foundation of the world would occur. But the destinies effected most by the fall, salvation and reprobation seem to be the ones most of interest here as seen by your use of Calvin's definition.
Those doctrines are certainly involved in the destinies of those relating to salvation.
But the OP addressed the doctrine of predestination as related to free will.
The possession of the ability to make and the actual making of choices by men and angels were also predestined to occur.
It would be a mistake to call the things related to God's actions to bring salvation to the heart of the elect and pass others by with that gift - the only things God has predestined.
It would also be a mistake to say that special grace and the withholding of such by God in any way runs counter to the doctrine of predestination or the ordination by God of all things.
Cherry picked Calvin quotes aside - the Westminster Confession of Faith makes that very clear and it is the most authoritative document concerning these doctrines.
No they do not.
It is debatable whether they adequately refute even the portions of TULIP which you selected.
It seems to me to be without debate that they do not refute predestination.
The doctrine of the predestination of all that happens in history includes the so-called "free" choices made by men - both before and after the fall.
Thank you.
Hello, I hope everything is well and you are safe for your travels.
The definitions for both explanations I put down are the same. My reading comprehension is just fine on this. The Calvinistic doctrine revolves around predestination and therefore they put in place the "5 points". It does talk of predestination, which includes the discussion of free will.
Also, maybe you have maybe you haven't seen just what/who, these verses are mentioning. Maybe that is why you do not think they match the discussion.
Please entertain me once more, when you have time, to some of the verses I typed before:
John 3:16—“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
This speaks for "ALL" people, not just the predestined elect.
Acts 10:34-35—“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’”
Same here.
Romans 2:5-11—“God…will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.”
And again here, "everyone"/ "each one". This is unmistakably speaking to "all" people, not just the predestined elect.
Revelation 22:17—“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
The highlighted (bold) words speak leaps and bounds of "all" people, not just the predestined elect.
1 Timothy 2:3-4—“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
This scripture here is some of the most damaging to the predestination doctrine.
1 Timothy 2:5-6—“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.”
Again, another very damaging scripture.
Titus 2:11-12—“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
This one too, is very damaging to the predestination crowd.
1 John 2:2—“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
Perhaps, this verse here just "puts the nail in the coffin" so to speak. These at the same time show free will. We have choices that God allows us to make, even though He knows the answer, He is still "longsuffering" not willing that "any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9).
Verses like these, show both the free will we have AND the false premise of predestination.
I really do appreciate your time in this, thank you.
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