I am a former roman catholic and only a Protestant a little over a year. I have been a convert to the Presbyterian fold only since last February but I am now an avowed Calvinist Presbyterian. I wrote the following to many Presbyterian friends today and I am sharing it with all of you.
Dudley
October 5th 2007
To all my friends in the Presbyterian fold,
The following are the reasons I became a Presbyterian Calvinist Protestant. They are based on James Tucketts letter "Foundation of faith part 1"
I believe the Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only Christian theology that truly helps people to see their sinfulness and the need for salvation.
i also believe that the Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only Christian theology that truly helps people see that God is sovereign and has a wonderful plan for their lives.
The Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only Christian theology that truly helps people see that Jesus Christ died for their sins; that He paid the full price for their salvation.
The Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only Christian theology that truly helps people see the trustworthiness of God's irresistible grace . . . to lead them to the good works for which they were created; to convict them of their sin; to strengthen them when they become weak or weary.
The Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only Christian theology that truly helps people see they are eternally secure in Christ.
I agree with James Tuckett that "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
I Cor. 3: 10-11
The celebration of the Lords Supper according to the Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Orthodox Presbyterian teachings is the only sacramental celebration of the "communion" of true Christians. I now believe The Presbyterian teaching of The Lord's Supper is the most biblically and theologically correct. As a Presbyterian I now believe that it was instituted by Jesus the same night he was betrayed, to be only a symbolic remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death and for our spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, and as a bond and pledge of our communion with him, and with each other.
The Roman catholic teaching of transubstantiation I now believe is the most inaccurate and theologically unsound form of the Lords Supper. I now experience the presence of the Lord when I receive the Lords Supper as a Protestant Presbyterian that was never present for me when I was a Roman catholic. Further the worship of the bread wafer placed in an Elaborate Gold Monstrance is the most abominable practice any church which says it is Christian can do. It is not only a distortion of the true meaning of the sacrament and ordinance of the Lords Supper it is in itself idolatry and an insult to the sacrifice Of Our Savior on Calvary.
The roman sacrifice of the mass as a continuing sacrifice of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary is also awful and should not be imitated by Protestants as is the case in the Anglican, Episcopal and Lutheran churches today. The Protestant Reformation and its cause and true teachings are best defended by Presbyterians in our way and teaching of the Lords Supper.
Jim Tuckett quoted Albert Einstein "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." I think that is the best definition of the Roman mass and Lords Supper as celebrated by Rome and the church of Rome. Unfortunately many Protestants do not understand that in the way I do as a former roman catholic who is now a Presbyterian Protestant.
When I first converted to the Presbyterian Protestant fold I thought I missed the weekly and regular celebration of the Eucharist as I knew it as a Roam catholic. However my thinking there has changed also. I am now more inline with many Presbyterians who cling to the administration once a month of the Lords Supper. I have no problem with more frequent celebration as long as we do not confuse its true meaning as taught by Calvin.
I believe that the Presbyterian order of worship is biblically correct and its simplicity reveals the truth of the Gospel of Christ. The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to the Lord; as well as the administration once a month of the Lords Supper and also the administration of Baptism are all parts of religious worship of God as it should be. It is as I have witnessed done with understanding, faith, reverence, and solemn humiliation in a holy and religious manner. I have attended worship services at all denominations I am most comfortable with the Presbyterian order of worship.
As Reformed Presbyterian Protestants we must be vigilant and on our guard to any teaching which give an element of other than Christ as our savior and mediator. I renounce Other Mediators Between God and Man, as Presbyterian Protestant I now go directly to God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Christ only is the head of his church. No other man is or can be the head of Christ's church. Our governmental structure of presbytery and elders is also the most biblically correct and must be upheld and defended.
God bless,
Dudley
