John, you're a closet Calvinist. :tongue3: :thumbsup: :laugh:
On a serious note, I can see your frustration with "Calvinism."
In your frustration please don't assume as others what you are assuming, that is, that we preach only to the elect. No one knows who the elect are prior to salvation. Paul preached for the elects sake, 2 Timothy 2:8-10 that they would be saved, and so do we. To state that we only preach to the elect is a strawman.
Then there is the questioning of "How do you know you are elect?!" thrown at us from non-calvinists. Well, like any other believer, we were drawn to Christ and were saved, that's how we know, and as Paul, he assured those who believed that they were elect; 1 Thess. 1:4, 2 Thess. 2:13-14.
Being elect isn't a distinct and elite sub culture within the Kingdom of God, high and above other believers, it's synonymous with being a believer. I know some would have you feel otherwise.
Here are the Scriptures respectively:
"knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; " 1 Thess. 1:4
"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory." 2 Timothy 2:8-10
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 2:13-14
- Peace