Have you ever been criticized by others for being Calvinists?

CCWoody · Jun 24, 2004

theseed said:
Have you ever been criticized by others for being Calvinists?

What are you talking about? We Calvinists are the most beloved creatures in church. Heretics especially love us. They actually look for ways to get more of us around.

So, you must be doing something wrong if you are being criticized. Perhaps it has something to do with the way you get out of bed in the morning. Please describe in detail what you are doing so we can correct your routine and make you lovable like the rest of us.

theseed · Jun 24, 2004

CCWoody said:
What are you talking about? We Calvinists are the most beloved creatures in church. Heretics especially love us. They actually look for ways to get more of us around.

So, you must be doing something wrong if you are being criticized. Perhaps it has something to do with the way you get out of bed in the morning. Please describe in detail what you are doing so we can correct your routine and make you lovable like the rest of us.

LOL!

Beoga · Jun 24, 2004

CCWoody said:
What are you talking about? We Calvinists are the most beloved creatures in church. Heretics especially love us. They actually look for ways to get more of us around.

So, you must be doing something wrong if you are being criticized. Perhaps it has something to do with the way you get out of bed in the morning. Please describe in detail what you are doing so we can correct your routine and make you lovable like the rest of us.

hahaha, yeah...

i want to live where you live

Bro. Gabriel · Jun 24, 2004

hahaha, yeah...

i want to live where you live

That's how it is where I live! Honestly!

(I live at SBTS in Louisville, KY)

Beoga · Jun 25, 2004

ok, i am moving there when i grow old and can make decisions

nobdysfool · Jun 25, 2004

Knight said:
I always find RT to me the more reassuring position since I'm 100% grateful that my salvation totally does NOT depend on me. I'd screw it up in a heartbeat.

It just seems that lately there are some who are taking every opportunity (or manufacturing opportunities) to take pot-shots at RT. It's sad if you ask me.....

In a word, insecurity. RT makes them nervous, because at some level in their heart they have a witness from the Holy Spirit that they should listen, but they also have that other voice telling them that it is dangerous, don't pay attention, it's wrong....While I believe that satan can only do what God allows him to do (kind of like God's mad dog on a leash), I do believe that God allows satan to test and try Christians, and he would have a vested interest in trying to keep people away from the Reformed doctrines, because they expose him for what he is.

I engage regularly with an individual who absolutely hates Predestination and Election, and is constantly trying to disprove it, in favor of his own mish-mash of doctrines. I won't mention names, either of people or of doctrines, because you'd know exactly who I'm talking about. I find his hatred of those doctrines very curious, since they are taught in the Bible, and he claims to be fighting for the Truth...I think R.C. Sproul was right when he said that Arminians are saved by "felicitous inconsistency".

SoldierofChrist · Jun 28, 2004

Reformed Christians are the most feared by all unorthodox "Christian" groups. You simply cannot argue with Romans 8. It's fun to watch people attempt to theologically tap-dance around that chapter. The Bible speaks for itself... no questions asked. I think there is also a danger in Reformed theology in that it can make a stiff out of some of the most sensitive Christians. I think the Reformed concept of grace and mercy that God bestows on His children should make us the most loving of all Christians... especially to non-believers, and even more so to fellow Christians! But I love it nonetheless. It is after all, the plain reading of Scripture without presuppositions... other than that of the absolute holiness and justice of God combined with His everlasting love.

A. believer · Jun 28, 2004

SoldierofChrist said:
Reformed Christians are the most feared by all unorthodox "Christian" groups. You simply cannot argue with Romans 8. It's fun to watch people attempt to theologically tap-dance around that chapter. The Bible speaks for itself... no questions asked. I think there is also a danger in Reformed theology in that it can make a stiff out of some of the most sensitive Christians. I think the Reformed concept of grace and mercy that God bestows on His children should make us the most loving of all Christians... especially to non-believers, and even more so to fellow Christians! But I love it nonetheless. It is after all, the plain reading of Scripture without presuppositions... other than that of the absolute holiness and justice of God combined with His everlasting love.

I'm a Calvinist myself, but perhaps we Calvinists would do well to humbly listen to some of the criticisms of non-Calvinists and see if some of them, at least, might not be warranted, and if so to repent. This response and some of the others on this thread sound fairly equivalent to the kinds of things I see Roman Catholics saying in the OBOB and other RC forums elsewhere. "Nevermind these 'anti-Catholics' (in the case of RCs) Arminians/semi-Pelagians, etc. (in our case) who just rail against the truth because they can't handle what it means for them. We're being persecuted for the truth." It's the same sentiment being expressed by people on opposite ends of the theological spectrum.

I don't advocate watering down theology in the least, but Calvinists in general have a reputation for arrogance, coldness, and any number of other unChristlike attitudes. I've seen those accusations directed toward people who, in my estimation, by no means deserve them, but I've also seen a disproportionate number of genuine examples of them, and no doubt I've been guilty of them myself at times.

JM · Jun 28, 2004

I'm attacked daily...

I tried to deny the title men give, 'Calvinist' but I don't care anymore. In the years I've been a Christian, nothing brings more trouble then admitting God's Grace.

SoldierofChrist · Jun 29, 2004

Wow, a KJV only Calvinist? That's very interesting. Might I suggest the KJV Only Controversy by James White -- a staunch highly respected Calvinist himself.

5solas · Aug 12, 2004

I know people over here in Switzerland who call Calvinists "disciples of satan" - a very sad thing indeed.
And they call themselves Christians. Being myself a Reformed Baptist is often very uncomfortable. Most Christians here are Arminians with a dispensational eschatology.

I am very glad that I found this forum and especially this thread. Thank God!

TULIP

oworm · Aug 12, 2004

Gabriel said:
...................to constantly engage in debate with the stiff necked is a waste of time.

I like that. I may quote that one often and when im asked who i was quoting i will tell them "Oh it was Gabriel" Now that should really set tongues wagging lol

blessedbe · Aug 12, 2004

Cal said:
I always look at the criticism Jesus took for being and preaching the same:

And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father."

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. JOH 6:65-66

I have to say, that's one of the many verses that did it for me! When Jesus himself says "no one comes to me unless it has been granted to him by My Father", how can you argue that?

Being a new Calvinist, when I read the bible now, verses jump out EVERYWHERE that prove it over and over again. I'm still not sure how I ever saw it any other way!
I can't say I've been "harassed" for it, but I haven't exactly come 'out of the closet' either...lol....I'm still so new at this, but let me tell you, the peace of mind I have is amazing! Also the new understanding of the bible when I read it. There are so many passages that I can actually read and understand instead of "ignoring" because is messed with my arminian teachings....

I can certainly understand how arminianism is easier to swallow though...I'm personally wrestling with the concept of Hell right now...at least the 'eternal' part....I never had that problem before....after all, it was our own 'fault' if we went there....

cygnusx1 · Aug 13, 2004

blessedbe said:
I have to say, that's one of the many verses that did it for me! When Jesus himself says "no one comes to me unless it has been granted to him by My Father", how can you argue that?

Being a new Calvinist, when I read the bible now, verses jump out EVERYWHERE that prove it over and over again. I'm still not sure how I ever saw it any other way!
I can't say I've been "harassed" for it, but I haven't exactly come 'out of the closet' either...lol....I'm still so new at this, but let me tell you, the peace of mind I have is amazing! Also the new understanding of the bible when I read it. There are so many passages that I can actually read and understand instead of "ignoring" because is messed with my arminian teachings....

I can certainly understand how arminianism is easier to swallow though...I'm personally wrestling with the concept of Hell right now...at least the 'eternal' part....I never had that problem before....after all, it was our own 'fault' if we went there....

Great post blessedbe , glad to have your company , I could well have written this post myself a few years ago ,as for the Hell thing , it remains the sinners entire fault that they go there. For their inability to believe is moral NOT physical .....read Pink on Man's depravity , an amazing book. You can get it online.

Also I have posted a short list of good books on Hell , what it is , Why ? and I hope this list will help you.....http://www.christianforums.com/t730153

God Bless you Sister.

Cygnus

cajunhillbilly · Aug 14, 2004

Hell is entirely our fault if we end up there. Heaven is entirely the result of God's grace alone. Both are true. God predistines the saved. The lost are lost because God leaves them in their sins. Entirely our fault.

Irishcat922 · Aug 14, 2004

God is Sovereign, man is responsible!

Zorobabel · Aug 14, 2004

Yeah, I've received criticism for believing in the sovereignty of God. It started where I grew up; an area where Southern Baptists had much sway. It continued as I reluctantly attended a fundamentalist GARBC Bapist Bible college. The clarity of scriptures on the issue could be no greater, and yet man is always determined to replace the simple truth with the hopes of the fallen flesh.

Beoga · Aug 15, 2004

blessedbe said:
I have to say, that's one of the many verses that did it for me! When Jesus himself says "no one comes to me unless it has been granted to him by My Father", how can you argue that?

Being a new Calvinist, when I read the bible now, verses jump out EVERYWHERE that prove it over and over again. I'm still not sure how I ever saw it any other way!
I can't say I've been "harassed" for it, but I haven't exactly come 'out of the closet' either...lol....I'm still so new at this, but let me tell you, the peace of mind I have is amazing! Also the new understanding of the bible when I read it. There are so many passages that I can actually read and understand instead of "ignoring" because is messed with my arminian teachings....

I can certainly understand how arminianism is easier to swallow though...I'm personally wrestling with the concept of Hell right now...at least the 'eternal' part....I never had that problem before....after all, it was our own 'fault' if we went there....

very cool. yeah, i hear ya with the Scripture passages. When I started study the doctrines of calvinism and stuff a couple of months ago, there were so many verses that I could not explain away. Now so many scripture verses jump out at me and it is wonderful.

Beoga · Aug 15, 2004

don't know how relevant this is but i thought this was funny, yet sad at the same time. Ok, so i posted the lyrics to arminian grace on my livejournal site thingy so all my livejournal friends could read it, and my friend who now lives in texas responded with this:
"Hey Brian, I have been experiencing the Calvinism waves in my church and want to put a COMPLETE stop to it. So gimme all you got. All the scriptures, the quotes, your feelings. I've already researched it, but picking your brain for help is def. a good idea, thanks, love ya,
Heather"

this will be interesting, but it still sad to here people's reaction to the gospel.

cygnusx1 · Aug 15, 2004

littleapologist said:
don't know how relevant this is but i thought this was funny, yet sad at the same time. Ok, so i posted the lyrics to arminian grace on my livejournal site thingy so all my livejournal friends could read it, and my friend who now lives in texas responded with this:
"Hey Brian, I have been experiencing the Calvinism waves in my church and want to put a COMPLETE stop to it. So gimme all you got. All the scriptures, the quotes, your feelings. I've already researched it, but picking your brain for help is def. a good idea, thanks, love ya,
Heather"

this will be interesting, but it still sad to here people's reaction to the gospel.

well my advice would be let heather have it ......give her such a powerful rendition that she drops her weapons........all in love of course!

Have you ever been criticized by others for being Calvinists?

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