Calvinism

[jimmydiggs]

calvinism is spiritual stagnation

As opposed to believing that salvation is a work of man? I think not.

 

[zone]

Neither Calvinism or Arminianism contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Both systems of theology operate within the framework of "inability" being wrought via the notion of being "born a sinner" and thus both by necessity have to preach a salvation which is lacking in heart purity.

scott, you wouldn't even be reading or posting anything from scripture at all, even in your own language here today, without a Catholic, a Calvinist or an Arminian having carried it forward for you.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.


did Abel need a Crucified and Risen Savior?

 

[zone]

Calvinists believe that sin is a "birth calamity" and that sinners "sin by necessity" and therefore depict sinners as "victims" as opposed to "criminals."

well isn't that odd, because it's calvinists who are adamant sinners are criminals.

 

[zone]

Thus due to this "corruption of nature" remaining in the regenerated the Calvinists teach that the "obedience of Jesus" is credited to the account of those whom are saved.

is it?
or isn't it?

what did Jesus do for you, scott?
set a good example?

here's where your beliefs are an epic fail.

 

[jimmydiggs]

well isn't that odd, because it's calvinists who are adamant sinners are criminals.

Yeah, I fail to see how one can arrive at his conclusion. He must be listening to Charles Stanley.

 

[zone]

Yeah, I fail to see how one can arrive at his conclusion. He must be listening to Charles Stanley.

if only...the standingthegap gang reverse engineers their saved dates.
to their heart purity date.

 

[thecreationtutor]

Grace and sovereignty are important feature of the gospel, but they cannot be used to exclude the others, which is what happens in Calvinism. If everything could be left to a sovereign God, we here on earth wouldn't ever have to do anything. Just refrain from the grosser sins and we're saved? Paul would never have gone on his journeys. He was presdestined, wasn't he? Just write a nice fat tome of theology luxuriating in Antioch by the sea? Why not? This is what Calvinism teaches. Don't ever need to put yourself out, as you're predestined. Don't give up your TV because you're predestined. Just do the minimum and to heaven you'll go. Thus Calvin had Servetus prosecuted for an extra-territorial crime not even committed within the State of Geneva, with absolutely no heed as to whether or not it would affect his salvation. To many his act was just plain murder, yet as Calvin was sure he was predestined, there was no issue with it.

The grace of God appeared in Jesus Christ. He is the grace of God. Ti 2;11. Calvinists seem to think that some other grace is needed (is it "prevenient grace"?) to enable us to accept the grace of God in Jesus Christ? I am none too sure about this. Obviously God works out everything for his own ends and can and does determine who will be saved, but by what means, no-one knows. Nonetheless the gospel isn't all down to God and his grace. It is absolutely clear that election depends on every individual with faith proving the genuineness of their faith in this life.

You have no clue do you. There are tares pretending to be Christians, there are tares who hold to Calvanism, Arminianism, and those in between. Just because you tend towards Calvinist theology doesn't make you believe your absolved of guilt, or choice. How God works every decision we make for the sanctification of a sinner is a mystery. The fact is we are living out our lives where we know in part, and God who is sovereign, all wise, all knowing directs our path in a way where His will is accomplished. His will is our sanctification, the tapestry of how that happens is mysterious until disclosed later in life or in heaven.

Can I look to past events in my life that were terrible and gut wrenching, yes - and what did they do, they pointed me to a risen Savior, and my need. Can I see in my past wicked things that I have done that convict and convinced me of sin, yes. Were all these things pushing me towards God's Will, yes. Am I absolved from any guilt of those sins? no, I am guilty - but forgiven in the Risen King.

On the flip side can I look at events as they come my way and know that God knows what He is doing, and I can trust Him, yes, I can stand on those promises because by experience, who He is, and His predestination for me. This causes boasting, not in myself but the Lord. It's all of Grace, He is so good and gracious to this sinful man. I can't believe He would do the things He does.

I don't understand why this doesn't create Joy in your heart like it does mine, Joy is a supernatural delight in the person and purposes of God. That I don't have to fret over my own foolishness now and in the past that my future is as bright as the Grace of God. That He really does love me and have a plan for me to be conformed to the image of His Son whom is His beloved Son - and if Jesus is the Beloved Son and the Father is conforming me to that image, God loves me as a son. Hebrews 12 - when I see His discipline, it's proof of His love

Hallelujah - Holy Holy Holy - God almighty - shouts of Praise to the Lord of Hosts

 

[Gjolll]

Hallelujah - Holy Holy Holy - God almighty - shouts of Praise to the Lord of Hosts

Fair enough. I've got nothing against worship. The issue I have is that even in your worship, you still don't think you have to obey the rules. Why is it that of all the Calvinist denominations, only about 2% of them require their women to cover their heads? I'll tell you why. It's because you're predestined and you don't have to obey inconvenient biblical law. Go figure.

And as for allowing people to exercise their spiritual gifts in church. If you want to do that, don't go to a Calvinist church.

 

[zone]

And as for allowing people to exercise their spiritual gifts in church. If you want to do that, don't go to a Calvinist church.

what spiritual gifts are exercised in your church?

 

[svedbygrace]

Calling the Truths of the Gospel of God by the name of Calvinism is not going to fare well in the day of Judgment !

 

[thecreationtutor]

Fair enough. I've got nothing against worship. The issue I have is that even in your worship, you still don't think you have to obey the rules. Why is it that of all the Calvinist denominations, only about 2% of them require their women to cover their heads? I'll tell you why. It's because you're predestined and you don't have to obey inconvenient biblical law. Go figure.

And as for allowing people to exercise their spiritual gifts in church. If you want to do that, don't go to a Calvinist church.

First - covering the head was cultural - yet wives and women should be under a head- authority - husband, father. Obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings discipline... That's just people in general don't want to follow rules, an immature believer, or a backslider. Tares might go on that idea where they don't have to display anything like obedience, faith, witnessing etc - but will tares be in heaven, and or have salvation? no

Just because someone believes in predestination, or holds to that doctrine, doesn't mean that he/she doesn't walk in the fear of the Lord - I have no idea what the discipline of the Lord could be - cancer, brutal car wreck, a wrecked marriage, a wayward child etc - The Lord He is God - it's a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God

 

[thecreationtutor]

Calling the Truths of the Gospel of God by the name of Calvinism is not going to fare well in the day of Judgment !

definitely - I can work with someone, or marry someone who doesn't line up exactly on my leaning, as long as they share convictions about Ephesians 4:1-6 for unity

 

[Gjolll]

First - covering the head was cultural - yet wives and women should be under a head- authority - husband, father. Obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings discipline... That's just people in general don't want to follow rules, an immature believer, or a backslider. Tares might go on that idea where they don't have to display anything like obedience, faith, witnessing etc - but will tares be in heaven, and or have salvation? no

There is nothing in 1 Cor 11 that denotes "culture." The reasons given for head coverings have nothing to do with culture. Women are required to show that they are under authority or be regarded as if prostitutes. That divorce in Calvinistic and most other churches is rampant is a direct consequence of disobedience to this ordinance.

Just because someone believes in predestination, or holds to that doctrine, doesn't mean that he/she doesn't walk in the fear of the Lord - I have no idea what the discipline of the Lord could be - cancer, brutal car wreck, a wrecked marriage, a wayward child etc - The Lord He is God - it's a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God

Yes it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. That's why we should obey scripture.