Pilgrim,

I really don't have time to read all these links - if I did, I wouldn't be on this forum. It's here I'd like to have some discussions about various topics. But thank you for the links, I will try to keep them in mind.

Does the word "world" in Jn 3:16 mean ALL MEN?

"the promiscuous preaching of the Gospel which outwardly calls ALL MEN to repent of their sins and believe upon Christ"

You seem to think so in this statement?

When you have to say what it doesn't mean - all men without exception - it's really a dodge. Tell me what it means to you.

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." I Tim 2:4

"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." I Tim 2:6

I think it's saying that God loves all men.

I have a feeling you might agree....as long we we define love correctly, right? Isn't there a special kind of love that God has for his elect?

By the way, is the present active participle of pisteuo used elsewhere to mean "elect"? I would think the Greek word "eklektos" might be more clear, which I think is used for every instance of the word in the NT.

So let's add another concept to the duplicitous list: believing ones also means elect, and elect means elect.

That works great, if you assume those who believe are the same as the elect!

Mike