For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
I find it hard to believe that God would be the one who chooses who is saved. That would mean that God also creates souls to doom to hell, very unlikely. As a southern Baptist I feel that theologically we are taught the gospel. We don't mix the old and new Testament to come up with weird answers. And if you are a Calvinist, how do you really know that you are one of the chosen few? What if you are not?