I do not buy that some people, when discussing their disagreement with the doctrine of election, "don't understand it." The propositions set forth are quite intelligible: "Jacob have I loved; Esau have I hated." "It is not of him who wills or runs, but of God...that his purpose according to election might stand."

I think the problem is with the place of Scripture in their walk with God. It does not have a place of primacy. It is subject to and supplemental to their experiential, non-corporeal "relationship." Scripture does not guide and direct and dictate their relationship with Christ; instead it merely 'supplements' their relationship with Christ.

This is a huge difference. I suppose it all comes down to grace: perhaps they are wrong because God has not revealed his truth to them. Perhaps, on the other hand, it is I who am wrong because God has not revealed the truth to me.

Presuppositions will dictate where one falls on this matter. "Direct revelation" to some is some experiential thing; to others it is the written Word of God.

Curious...and vital.