Calvinism is (the) Gospel

JM · Sep 27, 2019

And I have my own private opinion, that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and him crucified, unless you preach what now-a-days is called Calvinism. I have my own ideas, and those I always state boldly. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism. Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in his dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor, I think, can we preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the peculiar redemption which Christ made for his elect and chosen people; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation, after having believed. Such a gospel I abhor. The gospel of the Bible is not such a gospel as that. We preach Christ and him crucified in a different fashion, and to all gainsayers we reply, ‘We have not so learned Christ.’ [Spurgeon’s Sermons, vol. I (Baker Books, reprinted 2007), 88-89.]

Silverback · Sep 27, 2019

JM said:
And I have my own private opinion, that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and him crucified, unless you preach what now-a-days is called Calvinism. I have my own ideas, and those I always state boldly. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism. Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in his dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor, I think, can we preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the peculiar redemption which Christ made for his elect and chosen people; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation, after having believed. Such a gospel I abhor. The gospel of the Bible is not such a gospel as that. We preach Christ and him crucified in a different fashion, and to all gainsayers we reply, ‘We have not so learned Christ.’ [Spurgeon’s Sermons, vol. I (Baker Books, reprinted 2007), 88-89.]

I Could Get behind Calvinism, many people can 't choke it down though, never understood the opposition.

roman2819 · Sep 28, 2019

The term Elect is a status given to a nation or group of people. It does not mean God choose individuals to be redeemed.

If God had chosen Jews individually, then why did they worshipped idols during says of Israel and Judah? Why did most Jews reject Jesus?

Later the Gentiles were also chosen. This means that they now share same status as Jews, that they are also a chosen people. But in context, each person has to repent and turn to Jesus in order to be redeemed.

CharismaticLady · Sep 28, 2019

Antinominianism

JerseyChristianSuperstar · Sep 28, 2019

I agree that Calvinism, predestination, the fact that God foreknows and determined at the foundation of the world who would be his elect is essential to the Gospel that both Aussie and St. Paul preached.

royal priest · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Antinominianism

That's what they said when Paul explained the Gospel. I guess Spurgeon got it right.

Justified Sinner · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Antinominianism

Calvinism is not Antinomian.

First, Calvinists believe works are required for salvation. Jesus accomplished the requirements of the law. That's how He saved us. He not only died for us, but He lived a perfect life on our behalf. We are united to Him in His death. We were buried with Him (Rom 6:1-5). Do we now get to keep on sinning so grace may abound? Of course not. That's the point Paul makes in Romans 6:1-5. We died with Christ so we can't go on sinning but walk in newness of life.

Second, God requires us now to obey and do good works, not to be saved (we're already saved so we don't need to be saved), but because we're God's people. That's what His people do.

When someone calls Calvinism Antinomian, it tells me they don't understand Calvinism and they don't understand the gospel. They believe their salvation is dependent on their obedience. That's not good news at all.

The Justified Sinner

Silverback · Sep 28, 2019

roman2819 said:
The term Elect is a status given to a nation or group of people. It does not mean God choose individuals to be redeemed.

If God had chosen Jews individually, then why did they worshipped idols during says of Israel and Judah? Why did most Jews reject Jesus?

Later the Gentiles were also chosen. This means that they now share same status as Jews, that they are also a chosen people. But in context, each person has to repent and turn to Jesus in order to be redeemed.

I can't agree with you. Humanity has fallen, we are unable to reconcile ourselves with God, we all stand condemned before, and justly deserve, God's wrath and punishment.

So, since we cannot turn to God, love God, or, make a decision for God. He made a choice by his grace to bring the elect of humanity to faith in his Son, and ultimately save them

If our salvation depends on us making a choice to accept, or reject the gospel, then Christ died for nothing, because we cannot make that decision, and no one would be saved.

No one ever made a choice to get saved.

JM · Sep 28, 2019

Silverback said:
I Could Get behind Calvinism, many people can 't choke it down though, never understood the opposition.

Bondage of the Will is one of my fav's! Luther is most consistent in this work.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

JM · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Antinominianism

Hardly.

JM · Sep 28, 2019

roman2819 said:
The term Elect is a status given to a nation or group of people. It does not mean God choose individuals to be redeemed.

If God had chosen Jews individually, then why did they worshipped idols during says of Israel and Judah? Why did most Jews reject Jesus?

Later the Gentiles were also chosen. This means that they now share same status as Jews, that they are also a chosen people. But in context, each person has to repent and turn to Jesus in order to be redeemed.

I've had this discussion too many times over the years and just don't want to wade into it again. Briefly, God does in fact choose people to be in Christ BEFORE the foundations of the world. If you want to go back through my posts you'll see I've already refuted what you are suggesting.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

CharismaticLady · Sep 28, 2019

Justified Sinner said:
Calvinists believe works are required for salvation.

Is this true, Calvinists? Are works required to be saved?

JM · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Is this true, Calvinists? Are works required to be saved?

Actually, it's the direct opposite.

anna ~ grace · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Is this true, Calvinists? Are works required to be saved?

Yeah, seeing this shocked me, too. Pretty sure a Calvinist would completely disagree with that.

JM · Sep 28, 2019

Gracia Singh said:
Yeah, seeing this shocked me, too. Pretty sure a Calvinist would completely disagree with that.

Calvinists do disagree and are not antinomian.

In fact, after reading St. Thomas Aquinas, I'd say we have a lot more in common. The Catholic Catholicism seems to have moved past Aquinas but Aquinas himself seems more in line with Augustine and Calvin.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

anna ~ grace · Sep 28, 2019

JM said:
Calvinists do disagree and are not antinomian.

In fact, after reading St. Thomas Aquinas, I'd say we have a lot more in common. The Catholic Catholicism seems to have moved past Aquinas but Aquinas himself seems more in line with Augustine and Calvin.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

There's a lot of diversity within Catholic theological works. In that, every theologian will tend to look at, grant insights into, or emphasize a certain thing. One may emphasize and teach strongly and write often about grace, another about mercy, another about the role of Mary, another about the Holy Spirit, another about the Sacraments, another about the importance of little acts of love and kindness in day to day life, etc. The more you dig, the more you'll find.

God bless you, too, brother. I have always enjoyed your posts. You are bright, well-read, and have a kind, balanced manner.

Justified Sinner · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Is this true, Calvinists? Are works required to be saved?

Please read the whole thing that I said. Works are required. We are guilty of violating the holy law of God so we can't do those works. Jesus can and did. We are save by the perfect work of Christ. Jesus fulfilled the law so he earned our salvation for us. Yes, Calvinists believe works are necessary and Jesus did the works for us..

The Righterzpen · Sep 28, 2019

CharismaticLady said:
Is this true, Calvinists? Are works required to be saved?

You didn't read the rest of @Justified Sinner 's explanation. Works are absolutely required to be saved; now define who's (or Who's doing the work through) the ones who are elect.

The Righterzpen · Sep 28, 2019

Gracia Singh said:
There's a lot of diversity within Catholic theological works. In that, every theologian will tend to look at, grant insights into, or emphasize a certain thing. One may emphasize and teach strongly and write often about grace, another about mercy, another about the role of Mary, another about the Holy Spirit, another about the Sacraments, another about the importance of little acts of love and kindness in day to day life, etc. The more you dig, the more you'll find.

God bless you, too, brother. I have always enjoyed your posts. You are bright, well-read, and have a kind, balanced manner.

I've noticed this too with what limited exposure I've had to Roman Catholicism. Dare I say there are actually "reformed Catholics"?

Silverback · Sep 28, 2019

JM said:
Bondage of the Will is one of my fav's! Luther is most consistent in this work.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Reformed theology, was actually explored a little by St. Augustine (he was not the original Calvinist though) Luther was an Augustinian Monk. Calvin, and Zwingli, wrote a lot on Election, and the other points as well. Luther wrote more on total depravity and election than anyone.

There has always been tension between the Lutherans, and the reformed. But it was not really caused by the five points of Calvinism, it was the Lord's Supper.

RC Sproul is a leading reformed thinker, he is getting a bit elderly now, but I think he is still alive. If you have Amazon Prime Video, there are some short videos on Calvinism/reformed thinking.

Originally, I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan which is the Reformed Mecca in the United States. The daily devotional "Our Daily Bread" is produced in Grand Rapids, and is excellent. If the Lutherans (LCMS) ever lose their minds, and fall into same sex marriage, woman's ordination, or the prosperity gospel, then my wife and I will seriously consider the Presbyterian Church in

JM said:
Bondage of the Will is one of my fav's! Luther is most consistent in this work.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

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