The main problem I have with Calvanism, is that its based on mans opinion of the scriptures rather then the scriptures themselves, I realize that the 'church fathers' were learned and devoted men, but men they were, therefore ANY doctrine needs to line up with and pass the test of the whole of biblical text in proper context and application, not removing certain verses to back up a doctrine, but rather making certain the doctrine matches what the bible actually teaches.
I have not discern anything wrong yet for Limited Atonement, but Unconditional Election as defined below. I see an error.
From this link below
The Five Points of Calvinism, TULIP
"
Unconditional Election:
God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual. He chooses the elect according to the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:4-8; Rom. 9:11) without any consideration of merit within the individual. Nor does God look into the future to see who would pick Him. Also, as some are elected into salvation, others are not (Rom. 9:15, 21)."
John 3:[SUP]18 [/SUP]He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.[SUP] 19 [/SUP]And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.[SUP]20 [/SUP]For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Reads to me that God the Father can see who is seeking Him from those that are not; He can see who prefer their evil deeds rather than come to the Light to be reproved of them. That disproves unconditional election.
Jesus warned about casting pears before swine; hence those who are not seeking Him, and have voiced any missionary to stop that they do not want to know, the believer should follow Jesus by His words.
Matthew 7:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.[SUP] 7 [/SUP]Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:[SUP]8 [/SUP]For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
We see how the Holy Spirit forbid missionaries to go into certain countries and then by a dream, told them where to go because God the father knew what country had people seeking Him in.
Acts 16:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,[SUP] 7 [/SUP]After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.[SUP] 8 [/SUP]And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.[SUP] 9 [/SUP]And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.[SUP]10 [/SUP]And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
So God the Father knows whom are seeking Him from those that prefer their evil deeds rather than be reproved by Him.
The problem with identifying with Calvinism is to identify with the man. Calvin had a heretick put to death, but Jesus did not teach any one to do that for those that have gone astray.
John 16:1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.[SUP] 2 [/SUP]They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.[SUP] 3 [/SUP]And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.[SUP] 4 [/SUP]But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
So believers killing believers that have gone astray is not taught in the N.T. Bible at all. We are to excommunicate an unrepentant believer, or withdraw from having company with one, but not to treat them as the enemy, but admonish them as brothers. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-7,14-15
So why would I want to be identified with Calvin as if representing a believer as if he has done no wrong nor taught anything wrong?
1 Corinthians 3:[SUP]5 [/SUP]Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?[SUP] 6 [/SUP]I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.[SUP]7 [/SUP]So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
2 Corinthians 4:[SUP]5 [/SUP]For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.[SUP]6 [/SUP]For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.[SUP]7 [/SUP]But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
If John Calvin did not preach himself, I do not know why believers are or seek to be identified as a Calvinist when we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ in representing Him in seeking His glory.
In any event, I see nothing wrong with limited atonement, but as in all things, no matter how famous or popular any minister is, we are to prove everything by the Lord Jesus Christ by His words as kept in the KJV in following Him.
