28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

ladybug wrote:

J4, No one believes unless gifted with faith {see Ephesians 2:8-9}. You must be regenerated by God before you can believe...why? "Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged." 1 Cor. 2:14

Amen! You cannot just discount scripture just because your fallen mind can not wrap itself around the FACT that only God can bring about salvation, and you are not capable of "making a decision" for God. We are Gods captives, only He can draw us towards this wonderful relationship we otherwise would never want or desire. Only e can change your desires, you can't. Read Jeremiah 10:23! If we are not capable of controling our own footsteps, then certainly we are not capable of choosing to love and want to serve God! Man only knows hatred towards God, but God in His wonderful, magnificent love takes us when we have murdered Him 1,000 times over in our hearts, and breaths love and a new life into our hearts, and only then can we love Him.

John UK wrote: Is not the word for everything foreordained "Fatalism"?

You Arminians still want to fight in every corner for human power beyond God, don't you. By your constant insistence that God is partially dissociated from specific actions of creation you are planting the seed of doubt - Which is the ultimate aim of free will Arminian heresy.

God is sovereign over the existence of all that exists. The true Christian knows this to be true and it is not a problem for him.

But those who want human intervention to play a part or seek by sin to raise themselves above Total Depravity, inveigle by whatever sinful means to superimpose human faculty upon God's purpose and plan.

Idolatry is where your heart is John. It would appear you don't understand or comprehend God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ....."

Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear

John UK wrote:

There was a "door" at the tomb of Lazarus, maybe just a piece of rock. But Lazarus never availed himself of the exit, he stayed where he was. Why? Because he was dead.

However, Lazarus DID walk out through the door and into the bright sunshine, still wrapped in the grave cloths. It's a miracle!

Here are the verses that support these statements:

God ordained whatsoever comes to pass:

Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 6:17, Romans 9:15, and Jeremiah 10:23

God is not the author of sin:

James 1:13, 17, and 1 John 1:5

Contingencies of second causes are established:

Here's how WCF 3/1 reads:

Jay Jay, I give our Lord praise for your responses; may His peace fill your heart, His love guide you, and His power enable you to stand firm. It has been a blessing to have been able to speak to one another, out of love, and resolve the issue...all for His glory! Bless you dear one.

This is a free country and I don't have to follow the nine month time frame for homeschooling when I get married and have children. And besides the children will continue to learn things in the six months they are off of school by watching 16MM movies that I have on various science subjects like Geology and Rock Formation and by watching VHS videos of the Civil War and science subjects like Physics.