Argumentum ad ignorantiam - I am praying for the World

The appeal to ignorance fallacy (argumentum ad ignorantiam) is a logical error claiming a statement is true simply because it hasn’t been proven false, or false because it hasn’t been proven true. Opposition to the Calvinist doctrine “Limited Atonement” often cite that nobody knows who the elect of G-d is; therefore, pray for and love everybody. Let’s consider, John chapter 17 John 17:9 with emphasis “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” Speaking systematically of opposition, consider how the World is often defined whether by and/or for humanity – all mankind without any exceptions. Was Jesus praying for the world? If the World means humanity all the time without any exceptions, then who was Jesus praying for? Here’s how the World can be defined:

Creation and Cosmic Order
The term frequently denotes the whole created order arranged by divine wisdom. John 1:10 notes that “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him,” underscoring both the Creator–creature distinction and humanity’s blindness. Acts 17:24 affirms, “The God who made the world and everything in it is Lord of heaven and earth.” Scripture thus presents the κόσμος as originally good, purposeful, and God-centered, reflecting His glory (Romans 1:20; Hebrews 4:3).

The World as Humanity
Kosmos can signify the collective mass of people needing salvation. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus is “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42), and God was “reconciling the world to Himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19). This usage emphasizes the universal offer of grace beyond national or ethnic boundaries.

The World in Rebellion
Often the word speaks of the organized system of fallen humanity in opposition to G-d. John 15:18 warns, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.” James 4:4 brands friendship with such a world as enmity toward G-d. 1 John 2:15–16 lists its components: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. This moral order is corrupt, transient, and hostile to the gospel – and incompatible with loving G-d.

Satanic Dominionis
The κόσμος lies under demonic sway. Jesus calls the devil “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul names him “the god of this age” who blinds unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yet Christ’s cross spelled judgment on that ruler, guaranteeing ultimate defeat.

Consider both those in the immediate context as well those far-off in Luke 23:34, “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they cast lots to divide his garments.” There are those that believed what they had done to Jesus was in service of their religion or country whether or not either could be separated, that is, Roman soldiers acting on behalf of their god (the will of Augustus or Caesar). Obviously, there’s no shortage of that today in current events, that is, for country or political parties. Of course, by now the “Universal Scope” advocates argue that Jesus’ sacrifice was not for a few or limited but rather for the “whole World”. And such advocates are quick to point out 1 John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” So why pricked about loving everybody w/out exception, Wit? Maybe Matthew 17:16-19 offers insight if the following verse 1 John 2:3 was isolated from 1 John 2:2, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” Matthew 17:15-19, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

Lastly, true faith or dead faith, James 2:14-20:

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”

Reference for further consideration: Abstract and Concrete

In conclusion, I had not attempted to refute here the arguments of those that oppose “Limited Atonement”, whether for Universalism or Unlimited Atonement nor have I tried to “educate or teach” the ignorant. Those advocates that appeal to ignorance; for their lack of discernment, knowledge, and unrighteousness, let alone their methodology to avoid any personal convictions of sins by not discerning darkness as darkness or evil as evil. What I am conveying personally, and I mean “personally” are those advocates are known and appeal to ignorance rather than admit when “they do not know”, they instead open their mouths and tell everybody all they need to know about them. Apart from “good” works belief that G-d exists alone is not evidence, James was clear that even Satan believes G-d exists whether without consequences. The propositional fact that G-d exists is an Axiom (self-evident) and should strike fear into the hearts of every evil doer as well the hearts of those that adore G-d.

 I have traveled throughout Europe and was taken by surprise how many of the beautiful historic churches w/all their architecture stood empty and abandoned. And what now about Christianity in America, and whether Christendom (whatever that means) is too ignorant to examine itself as dead in sin and trespasses (Proverbial Frog) while claiming to be alive – Ezekiel 36:25-27 verse 27 emphasis (on the evidence of Regeneration), “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Satan doesn’t divide his kingdom (cross examine) let alone attack his own. Take hold, embrace, and examine closely 1 Corinthians 11:19 in context, “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” But how can any distinction be made from the World among the Worldly if not in life or doctrine according to the standard of G-d? John substantiates this teaching in 2 John 1:10-11, when a lady was being hospitable to everybody without discernment and exceptions “for Christ” (aiding and abetting or accomplice). Likewise, the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah was in fact “their lack of moral discernment” between which was worthy of hospitality or not, that is, holiness or evil Jude 1:7; Ezekiel 16.

Men no longer talk or pray like this (instead, their petition becomes the loud narrative over what G-d made clear), and that should make men tremble in fear and provoke the ones we love to examine themselves and come to confession and repentance, for their sake Psalm 9:

To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben.
A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.
For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,
and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.
The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah
The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.
Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!
Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah

Well, “don’t you care to correct anybody, Wit?” Hyperbole aside, I don’t believe G-d drags people kicking and screaming while they oppose Him (oppositional misdefinition and/or strawman arguments charged against Irresistible Grace). I believe hell is for those that do not confess and “repent” from their sins. Jesus is the G-d of the “world or earth and creation” and not for the Jews only but the Gentiles, that is, “if” Christ is exalted. And I never said that condition could be met by man alone rather than by “Monergism”. I do not “play” church anymore in the context of the 3rd paragraph of the Nicene Creed, oppositional advocates also say neither do they because they do not believe in the Nicene Creed but only Scripture. Yes, most of which say the same thing about Calvinism. If any of those doctrines that point to the truth of Scripture can’t change their entrenchment, then nothing I say will. Why burden anybody else for lack of ignorance and presume everybody is innocent or only absence of evidence exists? One thing is evident, in the eyes of the Worldly – a better Jesus is made in their image.

Shake the dust off and move on (Matthew 10:14),
Wit

Notes:

1) Consider the central global issues affecting the EU and the U.S., as well the Worldly virtue behind the cause for coexistence, tolerance, and inclusivity; for example, the word prejudice today carries negative connotations; with prejudice in the context of justice is often confronted by violence, lawlessness, rebellion, and chaos. Worldly wisdom and the message of most evangelical churches today in America cannot be differentiated or distinguished from each other. 

2) Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Often Psalm 1 is confronted by objections, opponents often cite verses: Matthew 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17, and Luke 5:29-32. Yet Jesus was not walking in the counsel, nor sitting “in the way” nor sat in the seat of “the wicked, sinners, and scoffers”. Jesus’ actions are conveyed for inclusion, validation, and approval for the reprobate (unrepentant). Jesus is made into the friend of everybody without exception rather than the foe of evil doers. Compare and contrast this point 2 and point 1 in these notations and the social pressures from Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes and/or Sinners etc., e.g., mankind.  

2.1) Since the fall of Adam humanity is more susceptible to temptation – a natural inclination toward disobedience, making man more vulnerable to the enticements of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Was it the forbidden fruit or the teachings of Satan that appeals to the reprobate? 

3) G-d is Holy; the summation of every attribute none are sinful at any moment. And no one attribute is expendable, for example, G-d cannot love at the expense of His righteousness, but all His attributes are “Holy”. The character (who He is) and attributes (what He is like) of G-d are without hypocrisy in action. 

3.1) Numbers 15:15-16 w/ emphasis (anti-hypocritical), “For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”

3.2) Consider the purpose of “missions and evangelism”, and the character and attributes of the “modern” church; is the “Good News” actually good news at the expense of “the Law”? Is life in holiness an attribute of the World? 

3.3) Consider a national issue today on the topic of illegal immigration. If for example, anybody either entered a house without permission through a door or through another “port of entry” like a window would either be illegal? Consider the responsibility of stewardship and the distinction between “private property” of any church or homeowner (identity politics aside), and whether any hypocritical advocates for or against whatever rules of law concerning national sovereignty. Why does the “Shepherd” carry a rod and not only a staff? Perhaps, not all shepherds carry a rod and couldn’t care less about wolves in sheep clothing.