Hi all, I have been a Christian for 2 years now coming from a Jehovah Witness background. Since becoming a Christian I have been attending a local Calvary Chapel. They obviously believe Calvanism is wrong, saying Calvanists are stubbornly misinterpreting scriptures to support their theology. They never, however, explain what Calvanism is except that Calvinism says that man has no free will to choose God and God only chooses some for salvation. I feel there has to be more to it than that and always wondered what it is. I asked some people I know at my church and all I get is "ask the pastor to refer some books to read" or "Calvanism will only lead one astray". I'm getting frustrated in my search for answers and was hoping that some here could help. I'm not asking cause I think Calvanism is wrong or right, I just want to understand and make a decision for myself. Thanks.
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Can you tell me about Calvanism?
- Thread starter ElainaMor
- Start date
bsd058
Sola and Tota Scripturist
I will be attending a Calvary Chapel in Florida (when I finally immigrate) which actually doesn't take a stand on it one way or the other. And I was upfront with the Pastor about my beliefs on Reformed theology to which he said that they are accepting of reformed Christians. I'm going to give it a shot. I would rather go to a church that teaches reformed theology explicitly. But we'll see.
I was born and raised a Pentecostal and came around to believe these doctrines after going to Bible College and after an honest examination of the text (Bible). I used to be gung ho against Calvinism. I used to call it heresy. Now I realize the depths of how wonderful the doctrines are.
That's just a testimony, though.
If you want to learn about Calvinism here's an introduction I would recommend:
Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism
You might be able to find it for cheap on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Grace...g+grace+the+hisotry+and+theology+of+calvinism
Here's the first 10 mins:
Amazing Grace - The History & Theology of Calvinism - YouTube
THIS IS WELL WORTH THE WATCH IF YOU BUY IT. KEEP IT. IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT CONVINCED.
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If you want to find out about calvinism the best thing to do is what you have done, go and ask a person who adheres to reformed theology or get books by calvinists
monergism.com is a good site with a large libary of resourses worth checking out
I too have the Amazing Grace film recommended above - it is good!
monergism.com is a good site with a large libary of resourses worth checking out
I too have the Amazing Grace film recommended above - it is good!
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Calvinism can be a force for good or ill and it, generally, appeals to Christians of a certain personality and way of thinking. At its very basic, it advances TULIP:
Total Depravity: owing to the Fall, all of humanity are sinful and cannot will to be saved. In this case the ordo salutis is that regeneration precedes faith.
Unconditional Election: Because of T, God must choose some to be saved otherwise no-one would be saved. This choice is based solely upon God's pleasure not upon anything foreseen; hence election is unconditional. If you're not elect, you will not be saved.
Limited Atonement: Since God has elected some of humanity to be saved, Jesus came and died only for the elect; hence atonement is limited to the elect.
Irresistible Grace: Because of T, no-one will respond to the gospel and believe in Jesus unless they have been regenerated, this work of the Spirit cannot be resisted by those who are elect. Thus the grace of regeneration is irresistible.
Perseverance of the saints: Because God has chose some to be saved, and Christ has redeemed them, and they cannot resist God's grace, the elect will persevere to the end and be saved.
Hope that helps.
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