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NASB | Romans 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 9:16 So then God's choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses--it is His sovereign gift]. |
Bible Question (short): A honest question on Calvinism |
Question (full): Aright, here’s a question I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to ask. But with the understanding that I do not want to start a debate, but simply seek information, perhaps I can avoid breaching the rules of the forum. If not, just tell me no. My question’s on Calvinism. I’ve done a lot of reading on this site to avoid asking this question, but I can’t seem to find the specific answer. Perhaps I skimmed over it. If so, just give me the post number. Here’s my question, or questions. First: From the Calvinist perspective, who caused the origin of sin? I’ve always believed that God gave his creation freedom of choice because He didn’t want a bunch of robots worshipping Him. Thus there was left the chance for sin to enter creation. So here’s my dilemma. According to the Calvinists, is God responsible for sin? I can’t see how He couldn’t be if predestination were true. And that leads me to my second question. Second: How could a God of love create people who are predestined, that is they have no choice in the matter, to be tortured for all eternity in the fires of hell? If a person doesn’t have a choice in the matter, are they not created for the primary purpose of burning? (As that will be the primary thing they’ll be doing for eons.) So that is my dilemma. Now forgive me for asking the question, because the idea is totally foreign to me and I honestly didn’t truly think about it until just the other day. I didn't even know what Calvinism was. I do not intend to debate or even reply. I just want to know. Thank you in advance. Ocelot |