*Matthew enters*

[everythingafter]

You will have to explain exactly what this contradiction is based on what you understand Scripture to teach regarding predestination and repentance.

Matthew can you answer one question? I'm asking you politely what branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation you would regard as true, because it is through this interpretation of the soteriology you are establishing what makes someone a Christian.

I'm might be familiar with the doctrine to which Matthew is referring. There's, of course, the old school Calvinistic predetermination, in which God chose beforehand the precise people who will inhabit heaven and who will be among the damned. I don't know if this is Matthew's doctrine of choice. Most evangelicals today don't take that kind of hardline stance toward salvation. Most, so far as I know, still say that one actually does need to believe in Christ as their personal savior to inhabit heaven. But some evangelicals add a clever twist. Since us choosing God puts the onus on us and makes God seem a bit passive in the matter, God choosing us puts the action back on God, making him seem more proactive in wooing us into the fold. Although the latter does seem a bit self-absorbed and conceited. The Bible implies that it's both ways at different times, from God's choosing various leaders of the OT to lead Israel, to Jesus' "whosoever believes" bit in John. The new, more clever doctrine could be an amalgamation of the two, thus unifying themes of the entire Bible. That would only be my literary interpretation.

In any case, I wonder, like I'm sure many on this site have, why a well-meaning seeker (like myself at one time) must pray so hard and long for the slightest bit of personal revelation in order for my rational mind to consider belief. And we now have our answer. I can't choose God at all! He can only choose me. Perhaps Calvin was right all along and most of us, if he existed, would be SOL anyway!