This whole Calvinistic thing has caused so very much division in the Church. If it is true, how can ANY Christian tell the lost that there is a Great and Loving God who loves them? Maybe He does NOT love them, who am I to say? The whole thing has had me in tears more times I can count over the decades...it rears it's disturbing head and again, I get saddened because, that is not the God I always knew and loved. My biggest concern is my loved ones and friends, should I say to them that God MIGHT love or MIGHT hate them? This doctrine strips hope away. Who knows, maybe I am not saved AT ALL! No REAL hope. I have been over and over this doctrine since the early 1990's. When first reading a Calvinistic book (unbeknownst/ to me) I started to panic...do not remember exactly what it was but, God very quickly lead me to Galatians 5:10- It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty."
This was very childlike seeking on my part as I was a new baby Christian. I never just open up the bible randomly anymore but, that day I did and what I had written above was THE page and where my eyes landed. I was so , so relieved! My stance is firm. God Bless you all.