Sorry to use your journal for this, but I figure that it might be the best means since I have no clue where I should look for the answer. I still can't get my mind wrapped around divine providence/predestination. I can understand that God could predestine events and people to follow him all according to his plan, but what about those who refuse to follow God? What about those protesting that they are atheists up to death? How does reformed theology explain these people?
Hmm, it's late, but briefly, I'll try to explain my understanding. Basically, our condition is one of rebellion against God. I'd say to remember it's not that people can't physically do good or repent, our handicap is moral. We don't return because we don't want to, because that's our post-fall nature. Those who reject God then, embrace hell. God, according to His divine purpose, elects some and these receive grace, and respond in faith, a total change from their original (fallen) nature.
The "why" of this is something I'd be cautious about even speculating. I do wish to point out that many postmillenial (i.e., the world will eventually willingly be converted) reformed people believe the end number of elect will ultimately dwarf the non-elect.
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The "why" of this is something I'd be cautious about even speculating. I do wish to point out that many postmillenial (i.e., the world will eventually willingly be converted) reformed people believe the end number of elect will ultimately dwarf the non-elect.
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