What is wrong with Calvinism ?

[zoidar]

I agree with your definition of evil, in most Scriptural instances. But to say, "That a thing isn't perfect doesn't make it evil." requires a definition of what you mean by perfect. In Scripture it can mean, "complete", or it can mean "sinless", or it can mean "faultless" (as in, 'of good report' or 'of good conscience'). Jesus says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." What does he mean there?

I quess Jesus means morally perfect.

I meant a being doesn't need to be perfect in everything and still that doesn't make him/her evil.

 

[zoidar]

Being created makes one imperfect (only God is perfect and He is uncreated).
Only God is good (Mark 10:18) … all else is less than “good”.
Beyond that lies an argument in semantics.

When Jesus says that only God is good he compares to people of this age, not Adam and Eve before the fall.

Btw when Jesus says: "Only God is good", he refers to the Father.

I got to go to sleep. It's late here. Good night guys!

 

[Mark Quayle]

Being capable of evil doesn't make one evil, or else God created Adam and Eve evil from the beginning. And if that is the case, what was the problem with eating the fruit? Since they were already condemnd from the start if they were evil.

I would agree with what I think you mean. But since when does already being at enmity with God, for the rest us, of Adam's seed, mean that it is not a problem with disobeying God?

But maybe that isn't really to the point you mean to make.

 

[John Mullally]

Thank you again for your kind words. While you misrepresent what I believe, I can see how you might think it is philosophical refuse. After all, you assume a primacy to human thought, to go along with the independence of his will. I do not assume God is some kind of puppet master.

In Calvinism: Is only God’s will effective? Yes or no.

 

[Fervent]

Thank you again for your kind words. While you misrepresent what I believe, I can see how you might think it is philosophical refuse. After all, you assume a primacy to human thought, to go along with the independence of his will. I do not assume God is some kind of puppet master. In fact, I insist that man does have real will, and that his choices are real, having real, even eternal, consequences.

It's rather ironic in this you complain about my characterization of your position, while making a charge that I haven't intimated in any way.

What, exactly, are you attempting to accuse me of by saying I "assume a primacy to human thought?" When have I said anything to imply such a thing, and primacy in comparison to what exactly?

 

[QvQ]

Two of my favorites are The Mortification of Sin, (which to my mind should remove all doubts in those who claim Calvinism is unscripturally focused),

I found this book "On Temptation and the Mortification of Sin in Believers" by John Owens.
I had time to read a bit of it. My first impression is temptation, Psalm 23: 4, the walk through the valley. but when I read further my understanding might change

 

[setst777]

God may choose a person or nation to fulfill his plans, but God chooses according to a person's faith or sinful dispositions. God does not make anyone evil or faithful. Not in Scripture.

Regarding our salvation or damnation, God shows no favoritism or partiality. That is God's Word.

Are you sure about that?

I am as sure as God’s Word is sure. God shows no favoritism in salvation.

Romans 11:30-32 (WEB) 30 For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy. 32 For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.

Romans 10:12 (WEB) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

"I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you a great nation." (Exodus 32:9-10)

If it weren’t for humble and faithful Moses interceding for the stiff-necked Israelites, and for the promises God made to faithful Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (whom God accredited righteousness because of their faith, Hebrews 11) God would have destroyed them on the spot.

God shows no favoritism, but God does listen to the prayers of the faithful. However, that does not mean that God forgave the original stiff-necked Israelites who spurned God by their sins. In time, God punished them, and eventually destroyed all of the original Israelites who spurned God in the Wilderness except for faithful Caleb and Joshua.

For the sake of his faithful servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom God made special promises to because of their faith, God left a remnant of Israelites, the ones who were faithful, to carry the line through whom the Messiah was to come.

For instance, all the stiff-necked Israelites were destroyed in the wilderness except for faithful Caleb and Joshua. God showed no favoritism or partiality, but was totally righteous.

"The LORD said to Moses, 'How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.' " (Numbers 14:11-12)

As you see, God did not make or form them to be unfaithful and wicked; rather, God was dismayed that they remained unfaithful after all he did for them. And so, God righteously punished the Israelites, even though, God loves them as the Apple of His Eye. God punished them without prejudice, favoritism, or partiality.

However, God remembered the promises He made to faithful Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and did not completely destroy the line of David from the earth. God worked through a faithful remnant by which the Messiah would come.

"It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land. . .Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. (Deuteronomy 9:5-6)

The Lord gave them the Land to Israel that He promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua.

It was God’s own name and integrity was on the line. Was God truly a God of integrity, keeping His Promises to His faithful servants? The heathen nations were watching to see how God would react.

Yes, for His name’s sake and His own Glory, God fulfilled His promises to His faithful servants. And all the earth is a witness to God’s faithfulness to His Promises. And so, God's glory was made manifest.

They were the worst and most ill-humored of all the peoples.

They were the worst. And God showed them no favoritism as regards their eternal salvation. Everyone who remains in sin God will punish with everlasting fire. In contrast, those who remain faithful, God will eventually eternally deliver.

See “Hebrews 11” – the faithful will be saved. However, God also promised to eternally punish the unfaithful and unbelievers. God shows no favoritism,

God shows no favoritism, punishing those who refuse His grace, and saving those who remain faithful demonstrated in obedience.

Hebrews 4:1 (WEB)
Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into His Rest.

Hebrews 4:11 (WEB)
11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that Rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 2:1-4 (WEB) Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

Hebrews 3:12-15 (WEB)
12 Beware, brothers and sisters, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, IF WE hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end, 15 while it is said, “Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.” [Psalm 95:7-8]

Hebrews 10:35-38 (WEB)
35 Therefore do not throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36 For YOU need endurance so that, having done the will of God, YOU may receive the promise

Those who are faithful, demonstrated in obedience, receive the Promise of Eternal Life, while those who refuse to believe, or do not remain faithful, demonstrated in obedience, will receive eternal condemnation. God shows no favoritism.

1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (WEB)
10 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
5 However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were OUR examples, to the intent that,
WE should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” [Exodus 32:6]
8 Let US not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
9 Let US not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.
10 Do not grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for OUR admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.

To fall is to be lost

Hebrews 4:11 (WEB) 11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that Rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

1 Timothy 4:16 (WEB) 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

God shows no favoritism: He will punish those who do not obey His Spirit, and he will give eternal life to those who obey His Spirit. God will not be mocked!

Galatians 6:9 (WEB) 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let US not be weary in doing good, for WE will reap in due season, IF WE do not give up

Continued...

 

[setst777]

God does not make anyone evil or faithful. Not in Scripture.

So you know his word in Scripture well enough to make such statements?

"It is God who works in you both to will and to do. (Philippians 2:13).

I know well enough by God’s Word.

In context, “Philippians 2:12-13” is as follows:

Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB) 12 So then, my beloved (addressing those who are in the faith), even as you (the beloved) have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

As the Christians, the beloved, remain faithful to follow and obey Lord Jesus, walking in His Spirit, then God works in the Faithful by His Spirit to work in us both to will and to work, for his good pleasure by His Spirit indwelling us.

This Scripture is for Christians who are in the faith. But God will not be mocked if we refuse to sow to the Spirit, so the Christian who remains faithful to the end, will receive the Eternal Inheritance (Galatians 6:7-9; Romans 8:12-13).

While Christians can rest in God’s love and promises as we remain faithful, there must also remain a Godly fear. Even Christians are to fear and tremble, for God is a consuming fire, showing no favoritism, should we fall away. Therefore, the Christian is to be sober minded and always ready to meet his Lord, for God judges all people without partiality.

1 Peter 1:13-17 (WEB) 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear

1 Corinthians 10:12 (WEB) 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.

God will judge His people more harshly than non-believers, because they experienced the grace of God and then, knowing God, spat in His face through deliberate sin.

Hebrews 12:25 (WEB) See that you (the Christians for whom the letter was written) do not refuse him who speaks. For if they (those OT Israelites) did not escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we (the Christians for whom the letter was written) not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 10:26-30 (WEB) 26 For IF WE (Christians) sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries…29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. [Deuteronomy 32:35] Again, “The Lord will judge HIS people.”

God shows no favoritism. To those who believe, they receive eternal life, but for those who refuse to believe, or those who fall away from the faith, he will punish with everlasting fire – God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7-9). He will repay (Hebrews 10:26-30).

If we continue in the faith, demonstrated by following Lord Jesus, we remain in the His Love and the grace of salvation, for salvation is promised to those who believe – the same faith that Abraham also had. For God shows no favoritism.

Galatians 3:26 (WEB) 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

John 14:23 (WEB) 23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

John 15:10 (WEB) 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.

Regarding our salvation or damnation, God shows no favoritism or partiality. That is God's Word.

That is his word regarding his justice, not his mercy and love.

As previously explained:
He showed favoritism to Israel out of all the nations, which they did not earn nor deserve.

That is your doctrine. You misunderstand the Scriptures, as I have shown in my previous responses in this post.

God never showed favor to Israel as regards salvation. In fact, there is no other nation on earth that has been punished more by God than Israel.

Only a remnant of natural Israel will ever be saved. God was especially hard on Israel because, just like Christians who fall away, they witnessed God’s saving power and grace, and then fell into deliberate sin.

Romans 11:20-22 (WEB) 20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and YOU stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those WHO FELL, severity; but toward you, goodness, IF YOU continue in his goodness; otherwise YOU also will be cut off.

People today, in general, are shown far more grace than Israel, as we are living in a time when God is holding back His wrath while the Gospel age continues. But, in the end, God will repay.

God shows no favoritism in his justice, which he owes to everyone--to give them their due, what they have earned. We all know what we are due as enemies of God--wrath (Romans 5:9-10).
God owes no one love, and is free to dispense it as he pleases.

And among much, much more, you also have not reckoned with Romans 9:19-21.

Regarding "Romans 9:19-21," God forms for wrath or salvation based on how we respond to His grace offered. See: Romans 2:2-9; Jeremiah 18:1-10.

Regarding Salvation, God shows no favoritism or partiality, but judges each person by how they respond to His grace:

See: Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:5-11; Romans 10:10-13; Romans 11:30-32; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:23-25; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:17-19; 2 Peter 3:9; James 2:9).

Your doctrine is not according to the Context of God's word.

God owes no one love, but God has revealed His love for all mankind by means of the Gospel (John 3:16), so that, whoever believes may be saved. Those who refuse to believe are refusing God’s grace, and so, they will be condemned. For God shows no favoritism.

Romans 11:32 (WEB) 32 For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.

John 3:18 (WEB) 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Acts 10:34-35 (WEB) 34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

Romans 2:10-11 (WEB) 10 But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Romans 10:11-13 (WEB) 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” [Isaiah 28:16 12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Colossians 3:23-25 (WEB) 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (WEB) 17 IF YOU call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear

Without partiality of favoritism, God’s good pleasure and intent is to have mercy on all and to save all people through the Gospel, but God’s sovereign will is that only those who believe in Lord Jesus though the Gospel are saved.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (WEB) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

John 3:16 (WEB) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:21 (WEB) For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.

 

[zoidar]

I would agree with what I think you mean. But since when does already being at enmity with God, for the rest us, of Adam's seed, mean that it is not a problem with disobeying God?

But maybe that isn't really to the point you mean to make.

Of course it's a problem to disobey God even for those that are already in enmity with God, but not anymore than it is a problem for us to sin in our lives. The Bible says Adam's sin was something else than our sins, it was the root sin, that brought sin into the world.

If Adam was already in enmity with God before the fall (a teaching I have to say is totally absent in the Bible) it means he had a sinful nature before the fall. So in that case what would be the unique problem with Adam's sin? Even if he never disobeyed, we would still inherit sinfulness, and the world would look the same way it does today. So in that case I don't see the unique problem with Adam's sin.

The problem the Bible describes is that Adam's sin brought actual sinfulness into the world. Not that we were imputed Adam's guilt, a doctrine I doubt even to be true. The only effect of being imputed Adam's guilt is for us to be more guilty, and without a real reason I have to add. The sinful nature on the other hand damages God's creation on all levels.

 

[QvQ]

If Adam was already in enmity with God before the fall, it means he had a sinful nature before the fall

Where in the Bible is it written that Adam and God were not in complete accord before Adam ate of the Tree?
If you can't believe Adam's sin as the cause of the damaged world and the sinful nature of man, then try something like radiation that damaged the genetic code. That is an imputation of consequences inherited from the person who was affected by the original event

 

[zoidar]

Where in the Bible is it written that Adam and God were not in complete accord before Adam ate of the Tree?

Nowhere! That is the reason I'm against the idea that Adam was evil before the fall (the idea atpollard defends).

The Garden of Eden is the next best thing to heaven or even heaven itself.
That is the entire point of the story, how great it was and how far Adam fell.
If you can't believe sin as the cause of the damaged world and the sinful nature of man, then try something like radiation that damaged the genetic code. That is an imputation of consequences inherited from the person who was affected by the original event..

I just said that Adam's sin/fall is the reason the world looks the way it does. I think you might have misunderstood my post?

 

[Clare73]

Hm, but the devil is evil. The fallen angels are evil, not because they transgress God's law. They are by nature evil. Through the fall evil became part of our nature. That is the reason we sin.

The angels were not created evil.

They became evil in rebellion.

 

[Clare73]

I found "The Glory of Christ" John Owen (1616 – 24 August 1683)
I will read that.
Thanks, I am always looking for interesting books to read.

That may be my cue for "The Glory of Christ Jesus," a study of Leviticus, seedbed of NT theology.

 

[zoidar]

The angels were not created evil.

They became evil in rebellion.

I said: they are "not evil because they transgress". But they became evil because they transgressed.

 

[Clare73]

SAT = Scholastic Aptitude Test
SAT terms = terms used in the SAT
The SAT has a section of the test where you fill in the blanks …
Up is to Hat as Down is to _______ . (a. shoe, b. football, c. groundhog)
… and determine the relationship between the pairs of words.

That's IQ.

 

[Clare73]

I quess Jesus means morally perfect.

I meant a being doesn't need to be perfect in everything and still that doesn't make him/her evil.

Evil is a matter of nature.

Biblically, we are born evil (sinful, guilty of sin, Romans 5:18), enemies of God (Romans 5:10), condemnation our end apart from faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:18).

 

[zoidar]

Evil is a matter of nature.

Biblically, we are born evil (sinful, guilty of sin, Romans 5:18), enemies of God (Romans 5:10), condemnation our end apart from faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:18).

I agree evil is a matter of nature.

We could be said to be born evil, but does having this evil, the sinful nature, does it make us guilty of sin? Of Adam's sin? But it's a good point. If we have a sinful/evil nature, are we then not guilty? Not of sin, but our nature is in opposition to God. But can God judge us because of our evil nature alone? That I think is a good question. But surely we need to be cleansed from that evil to enter heaven.

 

[Clare73]

I am as sure as God’s Word is sure. God shows no favoritism in salvation.

Agreed. . .God saves no one who does not believe in and trust on the atoning work (blood, Romans 3:25) of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sin and right standing with God's justice; i.e, "not guilty," declared righteous (sin removed) by the righteousness (obedience) of Jesus Christ (on the cross).

 

[Clare73]

I know well enough by God’s Word.
In context, “Philippians 2:12-13” is as follows:
Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB) 12 So then, my beloved (addressing those who are in the faith), even as you (the beloved) have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Thanks for all the hard work.

However, none of the following alters the fact that God works in the believer both to will and to do. (Philippians 2:13)

Likewise, it does not alter the fact that until the rebirth and faith, one is condemned (Romans 5:18), and the rebirth depends on nothing but the pleasure and will of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8).

As the Christians, the beloved, remain faithful to follow and obey Lord Jesus, walking in His Spirit, then God works in the Faithful by His Spirit to work in us both to will and to work, for his good pleasure by His Spirit indwelling us.
This Scripture is for Christians who are in the faith. But God will not be mocked if we refuse to sow to the Spirit, so the Christian who remains faithful to the end, will receive the Eternal Inheritance (Galatians 6:7-9; Romans 8:12-13).
While Christians can rest in God’s love and promises as we remain faithful, there must also remain a Godly fear. Even Christians are to fear and tremble, for God is a consuming fire, showing no favoritism, should we fall away. Therefore, the Christian is to be sober minded and always ready to meet his Lord, for God judges all people without partiality.
1 Peter 1:13-17 (WEB) 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear
1 Corinthians 10:12 (WEB) 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.

God will judge His people more harshly than non-believers,

God's people are the redeemed, whose salvation is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, Ephesians 1:4).

because they experienced the grace of God and then, knowing God, spat in His face through deliberate sin.
Hebrews 12:25 (WEB) See that you (the Christians for whom the letter was written) do not refuse him who speaks. For if they (those OT Israelites) did not escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we (the Christians for whom the letter was written) not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 10:26-30 (WEB) 26 For IF WE (Christians) sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries…29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. [Deuteronomy 32:35] Again, “The Lord will judge HIS people.”

God shows no favoritism. To those who believe, they receive eternal life, but for those who refuse to believe, or those who fall away from the faith, he will punish with everlasting fire – God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7-9). He will repay (Hebrews 10:26-30).
If we continue in the faith, demonstrated by following Lord Jesus, we remain in the His Love and the grace of salvation, for salvation is promised to those who believe – the same faith that Abraham also had. For God shows no favoritism.

However, he showed favoritism to Abraham by revealing himself to him and no one else at the time, and giving magnificent personal promises to him and his seed given to no one else at the time.

Galatians 3:26 (WEB) 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
John 14:23 (WEB) 23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
John 15:10 (WEB) 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.

Agreed. . .

That is your doctrine. You misunderstand the Scriptures, as I have shown in my previous responses in this post.
God never showed favor to Israel as regards salvation.

Indeed, he did. . .

They, and no one else, were given the Promise (of seed, Jesus Christ, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 15:5; Galatians 3:16), belief/faith in which was salvation.
No other nation was given such.

In fact, there is no other nation on earth that has been punished more by God than Israel.

Then he did not treat Israel the same as all mankind.

Only a remnant of natural Israel will ever be saved. God was especially hard on Israel because, just like Christians who fall away, they witnessed God’s saving power and grace, and then fell into deliberate sin.

Romans 11:20-22 (WEB) 20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and YOU stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those WHO FELL, severity; but toward you, goodness, IF YOU continue in his goodness; otherwise YOU also will be cut off.

Agreed. . .

People today, in general, are shown far more grace than Israel, as we are living in a time when God is holding back His wrath while the Gospel age continues. But, in the end, God will repay.
Regarding "Romans 9:19-21," God forms for wrath or salvation based on how we respond to His grace offered. See: Romans 2:2-9; Jeremiah 18:1-10.

Formation is at birth, before any response is made to anything (Romans 9:21).

Regarding Salvation, God shows no favoritism or partiality, but judges each person by how they respond to His grace:
See: Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:5-11; Romans 10:10-13; Romans 11:30-32; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:23-25; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:17-19; 2 Peter 3:9; James 2:9).
Your doctrine is not according to the Context of God's word.

It is according to the context of all God's word, not just part of it; for example:

No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him. (John 6:65)
(Does he enable all?)

All that the Father gives me will come to me. (John 6:37)
(None of them fail to come.)

I shall lose none of all that the Father has given me. (John 6:39)
(Do all men come?)

God owes no one love, but God has revealed His love for all mankind by means of the Gospel (John 3:16), so that, whoever believes may be saved. Those who refuse to believe are refusing God’s grace, and so, they will be condemned. For God shows no favoritism.

Romans 11:32 (WEB) 32 For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.

John 3:18 (WEB) 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Acts 10:34-35 (WEB) 34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

Romans 2:10-11 (WEB) 10 But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

Romans 10:11-13 (WEB) 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” [Isaiah 28:16 12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. 13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Colossians 3:23-25 (WEB) 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (WEB) 17 IF YOU call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear

Without partiality of favoritism, God’s good pleasure and intent is to have mercy on all and to save all people through the Gospel, but God’s sovereign will is that only those who believe in Lord Jesus though the Gospel are saved.

God is not bifurcated, he is one. . .his will and his pleasure (intent) are one and the same.
He saves all whom he wills to save; i.e., all whom he gives to Jesus, which is not all men.

1 Timothy 2:3-4

(WEB) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

John 3:16 (WEB) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:21 (WEB) For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.

Agreed. . .

 

[Clare73]

I agree evil is a matter of nature.

We could be said to be born evil, but does having this evil,
the sinful nature, does it make us guilty of sin? Of Adam's sin?

No, the nature does not at birth, but the imputation of Adam's sin/guilt (which is the pattern for the imputation of Christ's righteousness, Romans 5:14) does make us guilty of sin at birth.

But it's a good point. If we have a sinful/evil nature, are we then not guilty? Not of sin, but our nature is in opposition to God.

No, we do not inherit sin and guilt (Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:20).
It is imputed by God (Romans 5:12-18).

But can God judge us because of our evil nature alone? That I think is a good question. But surely we need to be cleansed from that evil to enter heaven.

Which does not make us guilty of it, anymore than the rattlesnake is guilty for being born a rattlesnake.
He is guilty, however, of poisoning when he does so. . .and if he wants to live in my backyard, he must be "cleansed" of that ability to poison.