On the status of my search for the truth on the Reformed view of Predestination... includes the whole assortment of free-will / total depravity.... I am aware that many many people have already been down this highway... some of you. And for that reason I feel the need to communicate my stumbling blocks.

I do believe God is sovereign and holy... and if at the end of the road the answer, is incomprehensibly to man “Because” concerning the ‘why’... I am not one to ask. I understand (not)... but will believe so.

At various points, I have been told that God is logical... For instance, concerning the doctrine of the Trinity. Concerning understanding any doctrine... from Scripture. Yet, concerning what are the hard points of the Reformed understanding of Predestination... is that it fights with logic... man’s logic... Our understanding of fair, just... I also know that God’s ways are not our ways... (So maybe God is not logical).

To date... I am considering scripture verses on both sides of this doctrine. An issue I have was exemplified in Beloved57’s thread... and maybe the answer I can ‘go with’ is one of proper emphasis of this doctrine.

Calvin himself as I know you know described some of his conclusions concerning Predestination from Scripture “A horrible decree”... and I am sure that Arminians would agree.

A big gray area for me.. of course, has to do with ‘free-will’ or not... Is responding, hearing... is that something that is argued to be ‘boasting’ in the context of responding to grace... thus considered a ‘work’? I DO understand that Grace is a mystery. God is the Giver... and we are the receivers... or not. If we are... it is by Grace.

Tts 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Doesn’t the above refute the notion of (if I’m understanding the arguments) Common grace vs. Salvatory grace? I know you will have an answer that basically says “Don’t get your hopes up.”

I found this quote from a Calvinistic supporter refuting David Hunt’s “What God is This?” (which -no surprise- attacked the Calvinistic view)

"Hunt says that Calvinism limits God’s saving grace to a select few, leaving the majority of mankind without hope or possibility of salvation (p. 78). The offer of salvation is extended only to the elect (p. 103). The truth is, Calvinists believe that God’s saving grace is freely offered to the whole world, and that there will be an innumerable company in heaven from every tribe on earth, purchased by Jesus’ blood (Rev. 5:9-12).

Will any here comment as to what this (Pro-Calvin) author is saying ?

Thank you,
-Kathy