Calvin's Conundrum

Me: Imagine, if you will, a man who has lived his life in America, or any western, pseudo-Christian nation, and, after sixty-plus years, he passes from this life, opening his eyes in the next. The first thing he sees, sitting before him on His throne, is the God of the universe. Might the conversation go a little something like this?

Sinner: Where am I?

God: Where do you think?

Sinner: (Startled) Oh! Yeah. I've heard about this place. Heaven, right?

God: Well, not exactly. At least not for you. You are only here long enough for you to find out where you are really going.

Sinner: You mean...the other place? Hell?

God: Yes.

Sinner: No way! Why am I going there? I've been a good person. I'm not a thief or murderer and I even try not to lie. How much bad could I have done?

God. The number of your sins is neither here nor there. The only thing that matters is, did you give your life to Christ?

Sinner: You mean that was all I had to do?

God: Yes.

Sinner: Why would I not do that? I mean, did anyone tell me that?

God: Yes, you were exposed to the Gospel story many times. In everything from billboards to Christmas plays. Friends and co-workers related it to you. You even attended church services several times where the Gospel was preached.

Sinner: (aghast) What was wrong with me? Why didn't I just accept the truth of the Gospel? Why didn't I do it when I had the opportunity?

God: Well...

Sinner: "Well"? "Well" what?

God: Well, you never really had the opportunity. Yes, you heard the Gospel in many different ways at many different times, but you still had no opportunity to accept it.

Sinner: What? Why not? I'm confused!

God: You have to understand something: I am God. I am sovereign and I reign over all that was, is or ever shall be. My word is law. My plan is absolute and immutable. I know all and determine and control all. Nothing happens in the heavens or earth outside of my absolute will. I am the judge and...

Sinner: Sorry to interrupt, but I really don't understand what it is you're trying to tell me. Can you dumb it down for me, please.

God: I chose all who will enter my Heaven. 

Sinner: Okay, I think I follow, but what does that have to do with whether or not I had "opportunity"?

God: I never chose you.

Sinner: What?

God: Well, you wanted me to "dumb it down" for you.

Sinner: Yeah, yeah. So, are you telling me that, no matter how much Gospel I heard, it didn't make a difference? I couldn't have accepted it?

God: I think you are getting it now.

Sinner: Now, hold on just minute! You're telling me that I can't get to Heaven because you didn't choose me? That nothing mattered? That I didn't have a choice? Are you saying that the Gospel was wasted on me? 

God: Well...

Sinner: Are you saying that, even if I was presented with a choice, I couldn't choose Heaven? What? Are you saying I chose Hell?

God: No, I'm saying the choice was not yours to make.

Sinner: Oh, now, that's a big help!

God: As I told you, I am Sovereign. I am Supreme. It is my universe and I will do with it and its inhabitants as I please!

Sinner: So you're saying, I never stood a chance?

God: Refer to my last statement?

Sinner: Why was I even born, then? Was I born to spend an eternity in Hell? In torture? Separated from You?

God: Refer to my previous statement concerning my sovereignty.

Sinner: I don't get it. I don't understand. You made everything. That means you made me, right?

God: Yes.

Sinner: You made me, but you didn't want me? You wanted the others, but not me? Why didn't you want me? If you could've chosen anyone, why not me? You're saying, you get to choose, but I don't?

God: Well, I am God.

Sinner: Yeah, sure, but is that fair? Is that right? Is that justice?

Me: Is it?