Catherineanne said:
Suffice to say, yours is not the only way of presenting Calvinism. Others are robust to the point of rudeness and far beyond, even to gloating over what will happen to me when I stand before the Throne.
As you've said before, certain things aren't unique to Calvinism. That's not unique to Calvinism, either.
Catherineanne said:
I have been told that my God will not save me. I have had someone gloating over what will happen to me when I stand before the Throne, and taking pleasure in the prospect of my ending up in a Lake of Fire.
It is this kind of attitude and animosity that I am object to, not any denomination per se.
True, and if you check among certain Pauline Dispensationalists posting on Reformed forum you'll find we're told exactly the same thing. Heck, I've been told this by some for certain sympathies with other ... Calvinists. If not Calvin himself. So that comes with the territory.
Frankly I find it very un-Calvinistic. Calvin's view of other churches directly contradicts that. He pointed out that a church that had serious problems was still a church in Paul's eyes (Calvin's Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 1:2). And Calvin's response to Luther's accusing him of heresy shows a very different tactic than returning the accusation.
I hear that Luther has at length published an atrocious invective, not so much against you as against us all. In these circumstances I can scarcely venture to ask for your silence; since it is unjust that the innocent should be thus attacked without having an opportunity to clear themselves; although it is at the same time difficult to decide whether that would be expedient.
But I hope you will remember in the first place how great a man Luther is, and in how many excellent endowments he excels; with what fortitude and constancy, with what dexterity and efficacious learning, he has hitherto applied himself, both to overthrow the kingdom of Antichrist, and to spread the doctrine of salvation. It is a frequent saying with me that, if Luther should even call me a devil, my veneration for him is notwithstanding so great that I shall ever acknowledge him to be an illustrious servant of God, who, though he abounds in extraordinary virtues, yet labors under great imperfections. I wish he would endeavor to restrain the violence with which he boils over on all occasions; and that he would always direct the vehemence which is natural to him against the enemies of truth, and not brandish it also against the servants of the Lord. I should be glad if he took more pains in searching out his own defects. Flatterers have done him much harm, especially as he is by nature too much inclined to self-indulgence; but it is our duty, whilst we reprehend what is bad in him, to make due allowance for his excellent qualities.
I beg therefore of you and your colleagues, in the first place to consider that you have to deal with a distinguished servant of Christ, to whom we are all much indebted; and in the next, that all you will obtain by a conflict will be to afford sport to the ungodly, and a triumph over ourselves as well as over the gospel; for if we indulge in mutual abuse, they will be but too ready to believe both sides.
Calvin, letter to Bullinger
Catherineanne said:
However, I admit that this has made me short on tolerance as a result, and perhaps oversensitive on questions of damnation and salvation.
When I'm in my right mind
I try to look at such attacks in two ways: 1, the response of Christ as my Defender is what I trust, not my own opinion of my destiny. His ability to keep me is much greater than my offense; and 2,
but for God's grace they would be right. Our hope, both of us, lies in the Rock of Christ. And so will our salvation, our rescue, not in whatever ideas our minds hit on.
It almost seems to me American Christianity at least, has become a kind of Gnosis. "If you don't think like me, you're not saved." It's so common in all of Christianity today. I think in some cases it may serve as a comforting replacement for our trust in Jesus Christ alone.
I am MrsGwaihir. I wanted to ask a question based on some things I have read here.
I know for certain I am NOT amongst that elite group of people who have done so much good in their life time.
