But
There are people like this in religion too! The papists wrote their own version of the bible, hence the need for a 16th century Reformation, to restore the Law and doctrine of God.

But (2)
There are also others eg the Arminian contributers to this very site; like JD and Yamil. They too have written their own version of scriptures to avail themselves of works based religion.

The conclusion then is that the atheist is very much in the same mold as the heretic, a cultural christian - viz one who worships the creature and seeks to secure salvation by their own effort.

News item wrote:
MUSLIM and Christian scholars are to gather in Singapore next week at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

kevin wrote:
Seaton, explain something to me,
you said, "we in the reformed church pray that all sinners shall believe on Jesus Christ for salvation."
How can that be possible when the reform churches teach "only the elect are saved"

By the way where, when, where and how did GOD know who these elect were? How did GOD know that Jacob was good and Esau was bad?

Ans # 2 = is in Ephesians
1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him ***BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD***, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having ***PREDESTINATED US*** unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will"

Remember what the Lord stated, Kevin.

Abigail wrote:
The free will of humanity does not negate the fact that salvation is of the Lord. No one can save himself....

We have no ability to regenerate ourselves. We must cast ourselves on the mercy and grace of the Lord and He does the work. We must receive Him, that is, receive Christ our Savior. We must believe His promises (through the hearing of the gospel) and humbly renounce self with all of self's pride and wretched ways through repentance. God gives His Spirit, regenerating the heart of the penitent soul that seeks Him.

Abigail's second paragraph should be introduced by her conclusion! Thus..

"God gives His Spirit, regenerating the heart of the penitent soul that then seeks Him." - (Then) - "We have no ability to regenerate ourselves. We must cast ourselves on the mercy and grace of the Lord and He does the work....."