This is a difficult statement to defend, because προορίζω ("to predestine") is an explicitly biblical term (Eph. 1:5, 11; Rom. 8:29-30). Whatever your understanding of the concept, the term and doctrine itself cannot simply be "denied."
This is an inaccurate caricature. No serious Reformed or Augustinian theologian teaches that the elect are saved "no matter their deeds." Scripture teaches that the same God who ordains the end (salvation) also ordains the means (faith, repentance, sanctification). The elect are chosen unto holiness (Eph. 1:4), not apart from it. So this objection misrepresents what predestination actually asserts.
Unbelief is not created in the non-elect. To claim that predestination unto damnation operates in the same way as predestination unto life is to commit the error of equal ultimacy. The non-elect are passed over in God's decree and justly condemned for their own sin (which they love), not for a lack of divine willingness to save. It is not as though the non-elect desire salvation but are refused it; they reject the light willingly (John 3:19-20).
Romans 9:22-23 makes this distinction plain: the "vessels of wrath prepared (κατηρτισμένα) for destruction" are contrasted with the "vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory." κατηρτισμένα is passive, indicating that the "vessels of wrath" fit themselves for destruction through sin, whereas God is the active agent in preparing the vessels for mercy. His role in reprobation is one of judicial hardening, not moral causation, and not refusing something one might otherwise desire on their own. Predestination is necessary precisely because man's heart is so corrupted that none will turn to Christ unless God, in sovereign grace, changes the heart. He owes this mercy to no one, yet grants it freely to some, "in order that His purpose of election might stand" (Rom. 9:11).
As others have noted, the parable of the barren fig tree is not a discourse on individual election; it's a parable about national Israel's fruitlessness and impending judgment. This is a theme consistent throughout Luke (cf. 3:8-9; 19:41-44). The fig tree imagery comes directly from the OT (Hos. 9:10; Jer. 8:13; Mic. 7:1-6) where it symbolizes Israel as a covenant people. The vineyard owner gives mercy, showing His longsuffering, not a denial of His sovereignty. The parable is about God's patience toward covenant breakers. It says nothing about the mechanics of election.
This is an interpretive stretch. The text doesn't say God "tries" to save individuals. It depicts the owner's patience before judgment, not divine frustration. God doesn't "try" anything in the sense of uncertainty about outcomes (Isa. 46:10). His patience has purpose (Rom. 2:4), but His will is never thwarted.
If God's redemptive mission is to "try" to save people, is that mission failing? Many refuse Him. If Christ is trying and hoping for the salvation of every individual, will He be eternally frustrated in heaven over those who refused?
Again, this is an inaccurate representation. Scripture never portrays God's decrees as random. Divine election is according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11), not arbitrary chance. Nor does the Bible hide the purpose behind God's hardening and mercy. Paul explicitly explains both in Romans 9:18-23. God gives sight and withholds it (justly, as none deserve it) according to His sovereign purpose, which ultimately magnifies His mercy and justice alike.
Thank you for explaining how you see election. However, scripture shows that repentance to salvation is a biblical idea.
Man and Repentance
Calvinism basically presents the idea that God just selects certain ones for salvation and that selection is irresistible. That the person will be saved because God has decreed it.
In this section we wish to show that salvation can be resisted. That contrary to Calvinism God seeks salvation for all who will receive it. We start with the following parable.
He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' " (NKJV, Luke 13:6-9)
The parable is talking about people, and how God comes to look for fruit, but finding none, does God give up? No, He tries again to bring the person to repentance, by fertilizing the tree. Calvinism on the other hand states that God gives repentance to those He has chosen, and only the chosen will be saved. But here the scripture has a clear “IF”, “if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.”; there are two pathways for the one person. The concept of “person” driven repentance is also found in the following, it is the persons choice that leads to life or death, the same man can have two directions in life:
He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. (NKJV, Job 36:10-12)
Note the “If”, if the person repents, they will have life, if they don’t repent they will perish.
In the book of John, Jesus was talking to unbelievers, and he said:
Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. (NKJV, John 5:34 )
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (NKJV, John 5:40)
We see here Jesus saying He spoke to them that they “may be saved”, but they “are not willing to come”. Jesus always extends salvation but people are often unwilling. As is shown in the following:
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (NKJV, Matthew 23:37)
God wanted to save the people of Israel over the generations, but they were for the most part unwilling.
Romans also hints that God wants to extend repentance, but people often are stubborn in heart and unrepentant, treasuring up wrath, even when God is extending hope.
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,(NKJV, Romans 2:4-5)
A clearer example comes from the book of Revelation it shows that God gives people “time to repent”.
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. (NKJV, Revelation 2:20-21)
God was obviously extending repentance, giving her time to change, but Jezebel did not repent. But Jezebel had a chance to repent. Calvinism presents the idea that the sinner is blinded, and God chooses not to save them. But the reality is, the choice for life or death is in our hands.
The idea of repentance was also shown in the Old Testament so it is not a new idea.
Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.' (NKJV, Jeremiah 26:3)
Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; then the LORD will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you. (NKJV, Jeremiah 26:13)
Note the scripture above says “perhaps” everyone will listen, that word means, maybe, possibly, there is an element of the unknown in the persons decision. This unknown can only exist if man has free will regarding salvation. If you read Leviticus, you will find, God tries repeatedly to reform people, starting with small troubles, then increasing the difficulty trying to draw people back to Himself.
'And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, (NKJV, Leviticus 26:23 )
Leviticus displays a process by which God bringing various disasters to try to reform, or bring repentance, but we see above there is still the “IF”, “if by these things you are not reformed”
So, we have seen that God time and time again tries to draw people to repentance, but they may or may not listen. Calvinism’s idea that God randomly selects people for salvation is not consistent with the truth of the Bible regarding repentance. God tries to bring repentance, man can resist it, salvation is not irresistible.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (NKJV, 2 Peter 3:9)
