The twisting and deceit that is necessary to defend it, and the utter depth of blindness toward plain words of scripture that covers the eyes of many who defend it, tells me how truly false it really is.
I could and I do say the same thing about anti-OSAS. The issue is, who's presented the best biblical case. If you have a case against ES as presented in the OP, then by all means point out some flaw with the OP’s take on the verses posted there. Even though it seems odd to me (if you believe in biblical inerrancy) to point out other Scriptures that seemingly to you plainly 'contradict' what Romans 6:23 and 11:29 seems to me to teach, I’ve looked at every single verse you’ve quoted in opposition to the verses posted in the OP anyway. I've found zero that contradict the doctrines that Paul laid out in Romans 6 and 11. Yes, including the 1 Cor 15:1-2 passage. Again, it’s not an anti-OSAS passage. You can claim it is over and over again (as you've done) but logically speaking, it's not.
It simply anchors one’s present salvation (
you are saved if you hold fast) upon one’s past belief (you did not, in the past, believe in vain). It’s a perfectly consistent passage with Paul’s doctrines as stated in Romans 6:23 and 11:29.
But since you mention deceit, twisting, blindness (and what you edited out) on the part of OSAS, Paul closes his letter to the Romans with this Scripture:
Romans 16:17-18 (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
What doctrines did Paul teach in this letter that he warns us to look out for
deceit against??? Paul taught many doctrines in this longest and most systematic of all the Epistles. But two very clear/plain doctrines that he taught (as pointed out in the OP) are:
1. Romans 6:23b (LEB) ...
the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Romans 11:29 (LEB)
… the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Which, when simply learned together, teach us that ‘the gift of Eternal Life is irrevocable’. Pretty simple doctrine really. Yes, it merges two separate verses together. But so what? Unless it can be shown Paul didn't mean them to be taught together, it seems to be anti-OSAS is cause a
division of these two doctrines. No wonder there’s been very little discussion about these two passages (or the other points of the OP) but rather
divisions over interpretations of other passages, parables and ‘doctrines’ from other Epistles/contexts.
There have been a few posts dealing with Romans 6:23 and Rom 11:29 (but not much in general):
1. I did recall this response concerning the doctrine of Paul’s coming from Romans 6:23 and 11:29: Yes but, ‘they don't appear in the same verse’. To which the first rule of formal debate rebuttals comes into effect; So what??? Sounds like
smooth talk to me. Paul wrote a very long letter and said many things. Someone would need to show how the gift of Eternal Life is NOT in the same context as Romans 11:29 for that argument to follow thru. It’s not been shown to be the case. Nor can it be, IMO.
2. Plus there was something said about they (these two verses) must be read in their broader context. Which is true of course (that’s the point of the OP, Romans is a context. All of it, the whole letter. But the problem with that assertion is that no anti-OSAS argument/evidence was ever made that the broader context in/around Romans 6 or 11 provides any actual evidence Paul was excluding
Eternal Life from the list of
irrevocable gifts. There’s only three gifts mentioned in the entire letter, so obviously more than one was meant in Rom 11:23. In fact, the more you read in/around Romans 6-11, the more you see Paul’s extended argument that in fact
Eternal Life is exactly one of the
irrevocable gifts he meant. Even spending a chapter or two in-between explaining how even the ongoing sins of the flesh (his in particular) do not take away his Eternal Life, nor ours. So really it was just an un-supported assertion. An
obstacle and
smooth talk being placed in the way of learning Paul’s doctrines as written in this letter.
3. Plus, something was said to the effect; Yes but, 'eternal doesn't really mean eternal'. Second rule of formal debate rebuttals; really??? Eternal isn't eternal! Again, awfully ‘
smooth talk’ with zero substantive Biblical evidence behind it being placed as an
obstacle to Paul’s doctrine.