It reminded me of when I first posted on the forum, and I used to refer to Mr Spurgeon as Inglesi (he's English), Mr Calvin as Frenchy (he's French) and Dr Lloyd-Jones as Taffy (he's Welsh). I got into all sorts of trouble for doing that.

But I was rather tired of hearing the names of men and hardly ever heard of Jesus in the churches, which was why I did it.

However, I eventually realised that folks were being upset by what they perceived as mocking, so I had to desist, especially as a lot of folks thought I was opposed to the doctrines of grace.

The article you quoted certainly is mocking, and most unpalatable, and yes, its design is to channel the unwary into being opposed to Mr Calvin's thoughts, simply by peer pressure, rather than serious theological thought.

So the question is what? Has God eternally decreed all events, or does he wait for the actual time and then make decisions?

Well, when I consider that God lives outside of time, I must say the former. But I would be at a loss to explain it.

One thing is for sure, he really is a Protestant Pope to some.
___

I might not agree with your arguments in total, but I agree with them in principle. Free will is a theological argument that has no place in witnessing or even with our walk with the Lord. IOW, mankind was not created robots and I must understand that in order for me to “serve the Lord”. To conduct our Christian walks without believing or at least acting like we have free will may be true but it is not pragmatic. When I witness to someone, I must assume they have the will to say yes or no. At the same time, if they accept the gospel, then it was simply because our Lord quickened their spirits, so they can understand; all Him. If they don’t accept it, then I assume the Lord didn’t call or quicken them; all Him. None of mankind can come to the Lord without His persuasive prompting and His quickening.

All of us can list scriptures, pro and con.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Seminary wrote:
.....
The word "evangelical" has morphed from being commonly used to describe a set of theological and spiritual commitments into a passionately defended, theo-political brand. Worse, that brand has become synonymous with social arrogance, ignorance and prejudice — all antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Balmer's claims, [See (“Under Trump, evangelicals show their true racist colors,” http://tinyurl.com/yczpp8ov ]while not new, are deservedly painful for millions of white evangelicals who are deeply offended by racism, repelled by Trump, and who vocally deny the false theo-political brand that co-opts the faith we hold dear.

Frankie, and many of his political cohorts are what Paul wasn't:

CBS News wrote:
..." There will be people who will watch this interview and they'll think to themselves, 'Hazing has been happening for decades.' What hope is there really that it's ever gonna end? It's an unstoppable problem," Dokoupil pointed out.

"Well, if we don't do something, it definitely is not gonna end," Gerry said.

They've joined with the Coffeys and more than a dozen other surviving families to form PUSH, Parents United to Stop Hazing. It includes the Piazza family, whose son Tim died last winter at Penn State. Together they are rallying for justice.

"How do you break the cycle?" Dokoupil asked.

"Accountability and education," Tom said. "A federal statute has to be written that goes from the top, you know, where the national fraternity is at risk, as well as the local chapter. And then education to high school students."

Jer 38v17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: (Oh dear Johnny!)

2 Kings 13v19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. (Oh dear Johnny!)

Deut 25v19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. (Oh dear Johnny!)

Jon 3v4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall (Oh dear Johnny!)"

Dr. Tim wrote:
John, I noticed that you quoted Isaiah 45:22. Shouldn't you insert an asterisk after the world "all" so that you can add a footnote to demonstrate that the sovereign God doesn't really mean "all," but only some very small portion of all, or, if you will, some smaller all within the all?

Note,

Luke 2:8-11 KJV
(8)  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

"Adobe
American Cancer Society
American Express
AT&T
Avon
Bank of America
Bath & Body Works
Ben & Jerry’s
Clorox
Converse
Deutsche Bank
Dockers
Energizer
Expedia
ExxonMobil
Fannie Mae
Groupon
Intuit
Johnson & Johnson
La Senza
Levi Strauss
Liberty Mutual
Macy’s
March of Dimes
Microsoft

Morgan Stanley
Nike
Oracle
PepsiCo
Pfizer
Progressive
Starbucks
Susan G. Komen
Tostitos
Unilever
United Way

Verizon
Wells Fargo"

Question for all...

Dr. Tim wrote:
BTW, John, I really dug that "armchair theologians" bit. May I have your permission to add that to my arsenal of snarky comments?

Many are the times you have made me laugh with your humour. I appreciate it bro, in these dark and serious times.

Yolanda wrote:
Dr. Tim.
I am moved by your testimony.
As for myself, I was so in the dark I did not realize that my complete life was lived making desperate choices. Total pragmatism.
It was when I saw how lovely this Christ was/is, and how good God had been/and is to me, I was given the spirit of repentance to gaze upon his holiness. Praise God the gaze continues to this day.
God bless you henceforth.

John Y made an erroneous comment concerning sinners being saved by free will, using God's word, I corrected that comment. Tim, you added a sarcastic reply, you were offended by the truth of God's word from Eph. 2:8,9
Now the two of you have double teamed against me, turning it all back on me. You both should be ashamed of yourselves.

Again, IF either of you can show, from God's word, any error I have given, then do so.

Youth in Asia wrote:
It's like Planned Parenthood owns America.

Adobe
American Cancer Society
American Express
AT&T
Avon
Bank of America
Bath & Body Works
Ben & Jerry’s
Clorox
Converse
Deutsche Bank
Dockers
Energizer
Expedia
ExxonMobil
Fannie Mae
Groupon
Intuit
Johnson & Johnson
La Senza
Levi Strauss
Liberty Mutual
Macy’s
March of Dimes
Microsoft

Morgan Stanley
Nike
Oracle
PepsiCo
Pfizer
Progressive
Starbucks
Susan G. Komen
Tostitos
Unilever
United Way

Verizon
Wells Fargo

Dr. Tim wrote:
Yes, John, and I was one such person--an atheistic mocker convicted, captured and comforted by the sweet Holy Spirit of God. However, He didn't save me against my will. Rather, He brought me to a state of desperation such that my will finally yielded to His.

I am moved by your testimony.

As for myself, I was so in the dark I did not realize that my complete life was lived making desperate choices. Total pragmatism.

It was when I saw how lovely this Christ was/is, and how good God had been/and is to me, I was given the spirit of repentance to gaze upon his holiness. Praise God the gaze continues to this day.

IF you are going to accuse "Armchair theologians love the social media platform it offers them to preach" then name the one you say is doing this, then back your claim with God's word.

IF your comment is directed towards what I've stated, show me, from my comments, where I have erred, and show me, from God's word, evidence of such.

BTW, this is of great encouragement - http://gracegems.org/Pink/evil_speaking.htm

NeedHim wrote:
Anyone who says that those who embrace the Doctrines of Grace don’t believe that we have a Will, clearly are misrepresenting the Reformed Faith. & have been taught wrongly in what others clearly taught about the Doctrines of Grace.

Dr Tim, yes, you are quite right bro. "He that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad".

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature".

Armchair theologians love the social media platform it offers them to preach. The Lord is never impressed with such. We must live in the real world, and have interraction with real sinners, seeking their good and their salvation, telling them of the Saviour, willing and able to save all that come to God by him.