‘Foreordination’ is not a Biblical teaching — Section 59
Why do you speak of ‘foreordination’, which is not a Biblical teaching?
Representative of a Christian church:
Why do you believe in ‘foreordination’ in your church, when in Revelation 9:13 it teaches that the Lord loved Jacob and hated Esau, although Esau by right was the eldest and heir to the birthright? Also, in Romans 9:20-21 it states, “Hath not the potter power over the clay, and of the same lump we make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor.” If we were not predestined, why didn’t God make us all good?
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Gentlemen, Genesis 25:23 shows that Jacob was more favored of the Lord than Esau, and Acts 17:26 shows that Jacob was more righteous in the pre-mortal existence (pre-existence). Esau was hated of the Lord hundreds of years after his death because of his wickedness. In 2 Timothy 2:20-21 we find an answer to your question regarding Romans 9:20-21. In those verses in Romans 9 we find that moral agency is predominant over what type of vessel we will be. Moral agency is taught throughout the scriptures. Joshua said, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (See Joshua 24:15). Also, Hebrews 5:8-9 says that Christ was the author of eternal salvation unto “all that obey him.” This doctrine is to be found in hundred of places in the scriptures. God is just, and as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not have you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation provide a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
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