Want to actually understand predestination? Ask a Calvinist.

[Ask Mr. Religion]

How in the world can anyone have faith in a God that predestinates people to hell before they are born?

Not unexpectedly, Robert's latest blog article is but more evidence of his numerous erroneous views, especially concerning his hobby-horse, Calvinism.

Unless on is a heretical hyper-Calvinist, those so destined for eternal punishment were contemplated by God as already fallen in Adam (a fallen lump of clay). They were not contemplated by God to be morally neutral. Thus, the justice of God in condemning those seen as already fallen in Adam is not impugned by this doctrine. It is only when the doctrine is mis-characterized by the likes of Robert Pate that questions arise, and are easily answered.

Rather than assuming you know what the Calvinist believes, if one wants to actually understand predestination as viewed by the Calvinist or the Reformed, one should just ask bona fide Calvinists or Reformed...or at least quote from their primary confessional standards, as in the Westminster, Belgic, Heidelberg or Helvetic confessions. After all, it is not a topic that any Calvinist or Reformed is afraid to answer sincere questions about honestly. Unfortunately, most just take the tactic of hyperbolic vitriol and await an answer. It as if persons are afraid of being seen as sympathetic to actually ask an honest question.

For a more detailed understanding of the sin of Adam and its impacts upon all his progeny, see:
http://theologyonline.com/showthrea...cs-of-Reformed-Theology&p=4559007#post4559007

In general, if one denies the full impacts of the sin of Adam, then discussion about matters such as predestination is fruitless. Deniers of original sin desperately cling to Rome's notions of prevenient grace. It is actually embarrassing to see a Protestant upholding Romanist thinking, especially given this year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The Reformers are rolling over in their graves at the nonsense that now passes for Protestantism we see in the likes of Robert's repetitive posts.

To better understand how the decree of God is viewed related to this topic see:

http://www.romans45.org/articles/sup_infr.htm

I wonder how much you actually understand about salvation, Robert. Take the test:

http://www.challies.com/resources/quiz-doctrine-salvation

How did you do? :AMR:

AMR