There is a lot of hatred that some folks bring with them to this forum.
As scripture says, in vain we worship Him, teaching as traditions of men as doctrines of God. We need to be Bereans and study in order to make sure we are clinging to Truth instead of errors we have been taught. There is only ONE God, and His Word has only ONE meaning...but don't tell me that I don't know more than someone else and that I don't have a better grasp upon scripture than someone else because perhaps I do. Perhaps I have had revelation in a certain area because I spend more time in the presence of God than most people do (that isn't me tooting my own horn, its a fact). I am not being arrogant, but how many hours a day does the average person who calls themselves a Christian spend in prayer with the Father?
I don't hate anyone, what I do hate is false doctrine, for it takes people to the Lake of Fire. If I have given anyone the idea that I hate them, then I apologize.
Henry makes a point right off the bat.
And yet, I myself can pick out several things right off from your post.
in vain we worship Him, teaching as traditions of men as doctrines of God.
The fact is, I may not agree to what the ECF's have taught, but I have never doubted their sincerity. The amount of time they spent in school learning what they know would put the people of today to shame.
I have a seminary teach who has shown me Sunday school lessons from even in the early 1920's where they were being taught Greek.
You think we are gonna teach Greek in Sunday school today?
So I do not doubt what men like Thomas Helway, or John Calvin, or even Thomas Aqunias teach because of the level of schooling they have received. I do however, always verify what they teach against scripture and if it don't match, I disregard it.
I do see in your post several times where you are "tooting your own horn".
e.g.; "I spend more time in the presence of God than most people do...I am not being arrogant, but how many hours a day does the average person who calls themselves a Christian spend in prayer with the Father?
Most don't spend even an hour a day, much less two or three (again, I am not tooting my own horn, just making a point). Most people in this country today don't even understand the basics of the Gospel...why? Because they don't spend enough time in god's Word to know almost anything."
But yet, I do, most of the people you are disputing with, and I know they do spend time on their knees and in their bibles.
Is their a rule in scriptures that say one must spend x amount of time on their knees praying?
Is their a rule in the bible that says one must spend x amount of time reading and studying?
Is their a rule in the bible that says the one spending more than 2-3 hours a day praying, and 2-3 hours a day studying is more intelligent than the one who doesn't?
The Sadduces and Pharisees were men who were well known for saying long prayers and spending years upon years studying the Law. And yet, no other group were condemned as ignorant than these.
But...the idea of this thread was to "Check your hatred at the door..." for the doctrines taught by Calvin, Arminus, and others.
But yet, you post:
Yes, scripture does teach (________________), but not the kind embraced by Calvinism.
What you may think is truth, to a Baptist educated in Reformed theology in seminary like me, is hatred for Calvinism.
And what you see as:
error, traditions of men as doctrines of God, false doctrine
We (Calvinists) and I, see as truth, and scripturaly based.
And I see that hatred for John Calvin, Calvinism, Calvinists, and Refromed theology is alive and doing well in the Soteriology area.
God Bless
Till all are one.
