ugh, i responded to this earlier, and poof! server maintenance. i'll try again.
i 2000 % agree that
whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, in genuine faith and repentance,
will be saved.
(just don't tell postuhman i said 2000 % or i'll get a math lesson.
)
i wholeheartedly affirm that. anyone who comes to Christ in repentance and faith will be saved. i know this because i believe in Sovereign election, and i know that whoever comes, to them it has been granted to come. God foreknew (foreloved) that person, Christ died for that person, and in time the Holy Spirit enables that person to come to Jesus.
the verses you quoted apply to the believers. in Rom 8, the 'us all' are the believers. in 2 Cor 5, the 'us all' for whom Christ died are those who no longer live for themselves, but for God, the believers.
particular redemption may not be as easy to see in the Scriptures as election. neither is the Trinity, yet Christians affirm the Trinity. i think if someone can't, or won't, see election as a Biblical doctrine, particular redemption becomes all the more untenable.
but i was thinking about this last night (and yes, i had a thought! lol).
why is God's electing a people for Himself and choosing to have mercy on some such a hard pill to swallow? it makes God a 'monster', 'capricious', and so on, because in choosing a people, He doesn't have mercy on all, and thus, in that way of thinking, condemns some. (i don't believe that, but i see the logic...)
all Christians affirm God's omniscience, right? so if God, er, looks down the corridors of time, sees who will choose Him and who definitely will not, and intentionally creates those who
will not choose Him and are destined for hell,
knowing that will be their destination...
is that really any different? as a dear friend who has gone Home used to say, we're stuck with the same 'pig'; we've just put lipstick on it.
i really appreciate you taking the time to discuss this with me.