(May 3, 2012 at 5:41 pm)Ryft Wrote: The election by God of particular people for redemption is explicitly and clearly stated in the Bible...In other words, election is unconditional.Very very few things are clearly and explicitly stated in the Word and predestination of the elect is not one of them. We could trade prooftexts all day long to support our respective positions (Deut 30:15, Joshua 24:15, Ez 18:32 for example). I find it absurd that the Lord would call everyone to repentance without also providing everyone the capacity to do so.
Response to the OP's question about "preaching to the heathens.":
If the definition of 'salvation' is limited to saying the PL&S formula to avoid a literal 'lake of fire', then your dilemma for orthodox Christianity is well stated. I agree. However, I take the position that salvation means allowing yourself to being guided by the Lord and learning to recognize what is good/true so that it may be pursued and desiring to do so. That starts an on-going process of regeneration. Thus, salvation is not a one-time choice, but the habit of seeking the Lord and doing his will that begins with repentance in the here and now and extends into the afterlife.