Have you always been a Calvinist or did you convert?

[HarleyD]

If you converted, would you mind sharing your story?

I'm interested in how everyone came to Calvinism, since I myself am a recent convert.

Howdy

I don't frequent this board too many times but I do recognize some friends.

I've been a Christian for over 30 years but never knew there was anything like the Reformed theology. But I have studied the scriptures for all those years always trying to decipher some of the more troubling verses, "You did not choose me but I chose you" and concepts "election", "predestination", etc, and theology "Why don't all men hear the Word if God wants it so?". I never liked the concept of ignoring one verse to explain another. If I don't know then I leave my mind open.

About two years ago I heard a tape by John MacArthur on the Sovereignty of God (specifically Phil 2:6-10). This is the FIRST time I've ever heard about God's sovereignty and was quite surprise. I did some research and sure enough, there it was on Reformed websites. I reread the Bible from a Reformed perspective and found God's sovereignty all over the Bible. But I thought how could I have missed such an important doctrine as this? So I found some sights that offered Augustine and the early church fathers and after studying them and early church history concluded this is what the early church believed. Finally, I looked at the TULIP and found that I had no problem with the five pointers.

I will say that all those troubling verses that I never could understand simply melted away in the clear light of Reformed theology. I feel like I've come home.

Harley

 

[FreeGrace]

Hello to all,

After many years believing strongly in Ephesians 2:8;9.through much bible study I came to see that ALL (everything) was by Grace relating to salvation.After some time I had to leave the church I attended as I was constantly rebuked for believing in what I was told was calvinism.I had never even heard of calvin at this point,so here I am some years later very blessed in a church that preaches the doctrines of grace.It is a great joy to read the accounts of Gods dealing in the lives of others on here.

 

[oworm]

I feel like I've come home.

Ive lost count of the amount of times ive heard this statment in various places around the web and from individuals.
Im not advocating that reformed /calvinistic Christians have the full counsel of God (I think it has to be borne in mind that John Calvin was only 26 when he wrote his "institutes" and i would like it to be noted that i am a wholehearted 5 point calvinist ) I think as far as the sovereignty of God is concerned we are the defenders of that particular part of the faith,and i would certainly advocate that God is the absolute author and instigator of all faith in Christ.

 

[Imblessed]

Howdy

I don't frequent this board too many times but I do recognize some friends.

I've been a Christian for over 30 years but never knew there was anything like the Reformed theology. But I have studied the scriptures for all those years always trying to decipher some of the more troubling verses, "You did not choose me but I chose you" and concepts "election", "predestination", etc, and theology "Why don't all men hear the Word if God wants it so?". I never liked the concept of ignoring one verse to explain another. If I don't know then I leave my mind open.

About two years ago I heard a tape by John MacArthur on the Sovereignty of God (specifically Phil 2:6-10). This is the FIRST time I've ever heard about God's sovereignty and was quite surprise. I did some research and sure enough, there it was on Reformed websites. I reread the Bible from a Reformed perspective and found God's sovereignty all over the Bible. But I thought how could I have missed such an important doctrine as this? So I found some sights that offered Augustine and the early church fathers and after studying them and early church history concluded this is what the early church believed. Finally, I looked at the TULIP and found that I had no problem with the five pointers.

I will say that all those troubling verses that I never could understand simply melted away in the clear light of Reformed theology. I feel like I've come home.

Harley

Welcome Harley, and I must say there are points to your story that mirror mine exactly.

 

[theseed]

Just has I realized the love of God when I realized God's grace, so too did I realize his wrath that was placed in Christ on the cross. God's love and God's grace are 2 sides of the same coin for the elect.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

"It is well with my soul" - Horatio G. Spafford

 

[cygnusx1]

I used to be an Arminian and I was non too pleased with my first understanding of Calvinism............I detested it!...........

 

[Imblessed]

I used to be an Arminian and I was non too pleased with my first understanding of Calvinism............I detested it!...........

I have to say the very first time I learned what it was, i was pretty horrified; but then I realized it answered all of those verses I had struggled with for so many years!! I re-read those parts of the bible that I struggled with with the Calvinist mindset and the bible just opened up to me, like I had been reading it in another language and now get to read it in plain english. Amazing....

 

[cygnusx1]

God showed me His truth . I opened the Bible at random , and it fell on Romans 11 , the first words I read were "notice therefore the kindness and the severity of God" I was dumbstruck..........I had just spent over 30 mins arguing against it!

 

[Jonih]

I remember when I became very interested in the subject. I listened to a 4-5 hour teaching on the matter, a taped radio program of a most wonderful pastor. It was that when my eyes opened.

 

[Gabriel]

I was (and am) raised an Arminian, I have only been a Calvinist for about ten months.

But, you are a really good one!

 

[JM]

If you converted, would you mind sharing your story?

I'm interested in how everyone came to Calvinism, since I myself am a recent convert.

When I came to Christ, I understood Grace to mean what Calvinist teach. I didn't read Calvin (still haven't), but understood Grace to be free, 100% free, reading Romans cleared up any doubts I may have had. It wasn't until a few years latter that I had learned I fit into what was called the Calvinist camp.

 

[tigersnare]

It's funny, you don't hear of many Arminian "converts". Someone said, Reformationist maybe, by nature we are all Semi-Pelagian.

I wonder how many Calvinist have ever gone back to Semi-Pelagian/Arminiamism?

 

[BBAS 64]

It's funny, you don't hear of many Arminian "converts". Someone said, Reformationist maybe, by nature we are all Semi-Pelagian.

I wonder how many Calvinist have ever gone back to Semi-Pelagian/Arminiamism?

Good Day, Tiger

I thought Spurgeon said some thing along those lines.

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[tigersnare]

Good Day, Tiger

I thought Spurgeon said some thing along those lines.

Peace to u,

Bill

Ahoy Bill

Maybe Reformationist said Spurgeon said it. I'm not sure of the originator. I have read a little Spurgeon, he writes beautifully, poetic at times.

Mr. Bill just want to let you know I have learned much from your posts. Thank You

Grace and Peace to U brother,

Ryan

 

[BBAS 64]

Ahoy Bill

Maybe Reformationist said Spurgeon said it. I'm not sure of the originator. I have read a little Spurgeon, he writes beautifully, poetic at times.

Mr. Bill just want to let you know I have learned much from your posts. Thank You

Grace and Peace to U brother,

Ryan

Good Day, Ryan

I am humbled by your kind words and am thank full to the Lord for Brothers such as you. You have grown much just in the time I have been here, he will contuine the good work that he has started in both of us.

Peace to u,

Bill

 

[marli]

I only resolved my Calvinism vs. Arminianism conflict about exactly a month ago. Said conflict began perhaps a year ago, when I came across TULIP on my friend's website -- and really, it wouldn't have been much of a conflict if this guy hadn't been a longtime er... "object of affection." (Yep, it's pretty bad, I know.) I rejected it initially, but as I read my Bible, I found increasingly more arguments for Calvinism. I first began to totally accept it, point by point, after I joined CF and heard some of the arguments here. (I joined CF to learn how to cheat in a certain game... even worse, hm? I wound up learning much more. These sorts of things have a way of happening to me.) I resolved the final one (unconditional election) as I mentioned, in August, while I was taking an unauthorized break from work. (Sigh...)

 

[LeahIA]

I grew up in the GARBC (40+ years) and based on that theology, I feel I have "always" been Reformed. After reading R.C. Sproul's "Chosen By God", it cemented my beliefs.

 

[bliz]

In my youth I was most heavily influenced by fundameltalist Arminians... but though i coud not explain it, something within me did not quite accept everything they said. I remember being 8 years old and hearing a sermon and thinking "No. That isn't true!" But I couldn't explain my thinking or let alone understand it. Through my teen years I can't tell you how many times I went forward at altar calls to make sure, just in case I hadn't done it right, that I really was saved. I think every time I prayed, I started with a prayer of salvation! (The Sprint commercials crack me up becasue I imagine myself on the line with God... "Am I saved now? How about now, am I still saved? Am I saved now? What about now, God?"

Somehow (read: grace of God) I stumbled into a Reformed college and heard people saying out loud things I had only thought in my mind! And then I learned where to read, and that I was not insane or "backsliden" to have had those thoughts and my faith began to grow and mature.

 

[Imblessed]

BLIZ

(The Sprint commercials crack me up becasue I imagine myself on the line with God... "Am I saved now? How about now, am I still saved? Am I saved now? What about now, God?"

ROFL, bliz!!! I love that!

I'm dealing with some JW's right now, and this would fit them real well, since they don't believe that anyone can 'know' if they are saved until after the millenium...very sad indeed!!!

 

[Imblessed]

I grew up in the GARBC (40+ years) and based on that theology, I feel I have "always" been Reformed. After reading R.C. Sproul's "Chosen By God", it cemented my beliefs.

mind if I ask what GARBC is? (i'm sure it's a type of baptist church, just wondering which....)