Ill attempt to have a discussion here, although I may not fully understand your points as we think differently. So bear with me please...
Id say the law serves some purposes and two things I'd throw out are yes we are to abide by it, but through free willingness rather than works as it itself reveals our sinfulness and we see that it is glorious rather than tedious..
The Law is possible for one (Jesus/God) but impossible for all as it reveals condemnation and helplessness on our part. Esau and Pharaoh will be judged as all are, by the Law which we all have neglected wholeheartedly at some point and sadly still do as we throw ourselves on the throne of grace.
What's the point in giving the law if predestination isn't going to allow man to be Judged by the law???
It's through the law we know we're sinner, plus we know how to avoid the consequences through Faith in Jesus,
It's this "knowledge of Good/evil" that we're held accountable for the "CHOICE" we make between them.
If you interpret it as foreknowledge of Esau then you are violating 9:11, it clearly states this calling was made before he had made any choices and had not been born.
God can not/will not condemn someone who hasn't violated the law, the law it's self won't allow it,
The only way God could speak of Esau before he was born is through "foreknowledge", else the law, principles of law would be "NULLIFIED".
I think He is clearly dealing with the sovereign will of God and it is not based on human will or exertion vs 16.
Many have the "will" to enter heaven, but like the song "I surrender all" haven't surrender all, God only "CHOSES" to saved those who have "surrender all",
Israel believed they were predestine because of Abraham, which is the context of Ro 9, but Paul made it clear that God wasn't obligated to save them just because they were Abraham's descendants,
God was "FREE" to chose whom he will saved, "BUT" they would only be saved "IF" they met God's/laws requirements, that is "Faith in Jesus".
Israel was still trying to obtain righteousness through obedience to the law.
God hardened Pharaoh for His purpose for him, and yes your right Pharaoh was on his way to hell as everyone else is at some point. Your 2 Timothy verse is awesome, yes anyone who truly sets their hearts on Gods ways will be blessed, but again Paul is speaking of the deeper- why did a blind and wicked person to the core decide to set his/her heart on God? because God poured out His grace on them, and not because of anything they did.
Try explaining the harding of Pharaod in context with scripture that says,
Not the Lord's will for "ANY" to perish, and "ALL" should come to repentance,
Jesus dying for the sins of the whole world that the "whole world"...MIGHT BE" saved.
and the Spirit "STRIVING" with man.
If no one is "without an excuse" on Judgement day, can they say,
"God, you never made salvation available to me".
the greater being God's grace in the calling
God only "calls", he doesn't "force" anyone to accept/reject the calling, that is "OUR CHOICE", Jesus proved that with Israel.
As far as saying Calvinism being a one verse or one chapter doctrine, that is very untrue. It is drawn from the entirety of Scripture and has hundreds of of in context Scripture referances. It is not just some made up doctrine based on a few verses, but has been carried along though the Baptist church for years up until the modern day. Our denomination highly deemed this doctrine and still holds it today in their beliefs. Calvinism is also known as the "Grace Doctrine".
I've never read anything about Calvin, all I know is what I've seen posted,
"IF" that's a true representation of him/his doctrine, I'll say this:
He didn't believe in the MK or "seventh day of rest", so his "Eschatology" was wrong,
I understand he was also trained in law, which, has he correctly understood, would have never lead him to his "Soteriology" of Predestination in scripture,
When you consider all three, "Eschatology, Soteriology and Law", it "appears to me", Calvin had a hard time getting anything right.
I also wanted to note that just because our denomination holds this doctrine isn’t a reason that we should. As any doctrine it should be searched out and tested in Scripture personally and prayerfully.
Wrap it all up in not willing any perish. Jesus dying so the whole world might be saved, the free gift to as many were made sinner, Grace exceeds all sin,
you won't have room for the predestination of some to perish. :thumbs:
