Uh, no, no it doesn't.
Robert said, contradicting himself.
We've been through these verses before and Pate's interpretation logically leads to universalism.
Pate claims that, at the final judgment. God imputes sin back to those who refuse to believe the gospel. He does so despite the fact that John 3:18 refutes him.
I, of course, disagree.
Meaning that God does not prefer Jews over gentiles...
Way to rip that one right out of context, Bob.
Calvinist contend that believers in Jesus were chosen by God before the foundation of the world...yes we do.
Here Pate sets up his standard. If the bible doesn't state it in the way Robert expects, it doesn't count. So we can point out clear verses like John 6:44 and Pate will ignore the clear implications.
The bible.
Lets kick Calvin around some...
If Pate had read his church history, he would realize that Calvin didn't invent the notion of predestination, he got it from Augustine who in turn got it from his study of the bible.
Lets start with the bible and work our way up rather than starting with theologians and work our way down, shall we?
Most Calvinists would believe in the sovereign election of God even if there were no John Calvin, because we get our doctrine from the bible.
It is major doctrine and the bible is replete with references to predestination.
Lets look at some that Pate tries to deal with.
The bible does say the following.
"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
(Rom 9:17-18 ESV)
Did God have mercy on Pharaoh or harden him?
Bob, do you think Pharaoh is in heaven?
It does say the following.
(Romans 9:11-16 ESV) though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-- in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls-- she was told, "The older will serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Who received mercy, Jacob or Esau?
Finally, Robert. Will you get around to answering my question?
Pate comments and implies that God chose Jacob because Jacob loved the spiritual things of God. The text completely precludes this taking great pains to point out that God chose before either were born or had done anything good or bad.
Pate, can you please explain to us why you skipped over this important detail in order to provide commentary that is actually, directly contradicted by the text you are attempting to comment upon?