Question: Some Calvinists have argued that 2 Peter:2:12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; clearly shows that there are some who are "made to be taken and destroyed." How do you explain this verse?
Response: Second Peter 2:12 reads: "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption." These individuals are "like" ("as," or "similar to") "natural brute beasts" who—the beasts—are "made to be taken and destroyed." "Brute beasts" like tigers or lions who lose their innate fear of man and begin to prey upon humans must be destroyed. The false prophets of 2 Peter 2 are like brute beasts since their behavior ("speak[ing] evil"), makes them deserving of destruction. While their behavior parallels that of brute beasts, it is not that they are chosen to be "taken and destroyed" but rather that their behavior makes them worthy of the same treatment as animals. They "shall utterly perish in their own corruption."
Interestingly, if someone argues election from 2 Peter 2, they inadvertently trample "limited atonement" (the "L" in T.U.L.I.P.). Verse 1, in context speaking of the false prophets, reads, "But there were false prophets also among the people...who...shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them , and bring upon themselves swift destruction." So much for "limited atonement." The price for redemption (the death of Jesus, who "bought them") was paid even for those who would ultimately reject Him and His provision.
