Click on the image above and you can read your anti-Calvin safety procedures. . .
Fortunately, I wasn’t aware of these procedures when I was cornered by Calvinists.
What invokes such fear in the hearts of non-Calvinists? The fear that they aren’t in control?
I fear what would happen if I was in control!
Acts 13:46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 18:27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed . . . .
Romans 11:1-10
11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,eyes that would not seeand ears that would not hear,down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,a stumbling block and a retribution for them;10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,and bend their backs forever.”
7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,eyes that would not seeand ears that would not hear,down to this very day.”
9 And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,a stumbling block and a retribution for them;10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,and bend their backs forever.”
Romans 9:14-18
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 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.
To God Alone Be the Glory!
The Misadventures of Captain Headknowledge 
I’m not a Calvinist, but I would never say God isn’t in control.
Indeed, but can you say he’s in control in the sense of Ephesians 1:11? That he works everything according to the council of his own will? And can you further interpret that concept in terms consistent with the first point of chapter 3 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, which reads, “God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established”?
There’s “in control,” and then there’s “in control.”
I believe God is “in control.” He’s in control in the sense of 1 Peter 1:2 (which, by the way, gives you a clear understanding of Ephesians 1:11 and all other “predestination/election” passages).
Okay, let’s check that out:
“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
1 Peter 1:2
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
Ephesians 1:11
I assume you mean that Peter’s reference to election “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” means his election was conditioned on foreseen faith to which he responds by electing them.
Would you happen to be aware of the Reformed, biblical definition of foreknowledge, Brother Chris?
Thanks for checking back after all this time! Looking forward to your reply. . .