How do you deal with being hated for your doctrine?

[rnmomof7]

I have found Calvinists the most patient and willing to love those that insult and hate them.

I have found Calvinists willing to do a little "debate" even if they do not have to

I have found Calvinists willing to patiently explain and teach the principles of Grace .

Why?

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I have found Calvinists the most patient and willing to love those that insult and hate them.

I have found Calvinists willing to do a little "debate" even if they do not have to

I have found Calvinists willing to patiently explain and teach the principles of Grace .

Why?

God's grace. I hated Calvinism when I first began to study it, but my bro-in-law ( who is now with the Lord) was so kind and patient with me. He was always kind even when I thought he was theologically crazy.

He taught me (though I often fail) to have, as Paul told Timothy, great patience when dealing with brothers/sisters who don't see what God has graciously made me to see.

Had my late bro-in-law (who was a PCA pastor) not been patient with me I might not see what I now see.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Kenith

 

[Godzchild]

I have a friend who is lovingly going through the theology step by step with me now. Puts up with my neverending questions - sometimes the same questions over and over again.

 

[eutychus]

I think it really comes from a heart of, "well, God hasn't revealed it to you in the Scriptures" yet than "my doctrine is more accurate than yours," so what's a person to do ? Blame the person who hasn't had their eyes opened by the Spirit? Couple that with every knee acknowledging the Doctrines of Grace in the next life, and you really can't do anything but be patient and loving...God will eventually get the adoration and glory given in this tradition, when it's time.

I think it also helps that a lot of Calvinists came from a previous thought tradition, and remember how it was when first exposed to the theology.

 

[erin74]

I remember the joy when I first came to understand "evangelical" theology. Discovering biblical theology was at about the same time. I love seeing other people discover good theology, and love answering the questions that were once answered for me. It's not just 'being patient', it's a real joy and privilege.

There but for the grace of God go I.

 

[Godzchild]

think it also helps that a lot of Calvinists came from a previous thought tradition, and remember how it was when first exposed to the theology.

It's actually quite overwhelming and scary all at the same time.

 

[CCWoody]

I have found Calvinists the most patient and willing to love those that insult and hate them.

I have found Calvinists willing to do a little "debate" even if they do not have to

I have found Calvinists willing to patiently explain and teach the principles of Grace .

Why?

Because eventually those spitfire Arminian nurse mothers get all cuddly wuddly on you.

 

[rnmomof7]

Because eventually those spitfire Arminian nurse mothers get all cuddly wuddly on you.

LOL LOL ain't it the truth . History always catches up with ya !

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Because eventually those spitfire Arminian nurse mothers get all cuddly wuddly on you.

You mst be single.

In Christ,
Kenith

 

[CCWoody]

It's actually quite overwhelming and scary all at the same time.

Try visiting a conservative Presbyterian PCA after being in a Charismatic/ dance background your last church. I mean, who says you can't turn Presbyterians all Pentecostal in 10 seconds as the Frozen Chozen scramble to cast out the demons causing you to dance in the middle of their service. And just think that for the first 5 minutes I thought those nice Presbyterians were having a nice group hug with me.

They were so nice I think I'll visit them for a second week.

 

[rnmomof7]

You mst be single.

In Christ,
Kenith

Woody knew me when I was our "visitor" ...

 

[5solas]

Why?

1Petr 3,17 For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

 

[Jon_]

I have found Calvinists the most patient and willing to love those that insult and hate them.

I have found Calvinists willing to do a little "debate" even if they do not have to

I have found Calvinists willing to patiently explain and teach the principles of Grace .

Why?

Honestly, I enjoy being hated for believing in the Gospel. For I know that love of the world is enmity against God; therefore, when the world hates me, it reassures me that my belief in God is true. Now, I don't mean that I base my assurance on how others feel about me, what I mean is that the world's disposition fulfills the Scripture that says we will be persecuted and hated by the world for our faith in God.

There is no message that the world hates more than the true Gospel (which, of course, is properly "Calvinistic"). Men hate to hear that they are devoid of any good and are nothing but objects of God's wrath. They hate to hear that they are wicked sinners who deserve hellfire. They hate to hear they will be judged by a righteous God. They hate that they have to believe in an historical figure, a man who is also God, because their distored sinful minds reject this obvious truth. They absolutely hate everything about him and they hate anyone who would scratch at their marred image of him.

And I love scratching at it.

I count it a privilege to be able to deliver the Gospel truth as commanded by our Lord. I count it a privilege to see the heathen squirm, rebel, and level insults at me for my faith. When I am persecuted, I thank God for his grace that I am enabled to withstand it, and I pray that, if it be his will, that I would be enabled to encounter even greater persecution in the name of his Son. Moreover, when I have the opportunity to share the Gospel with those whose hearts have been prepared to receive it, I consider it a monumental privilege to be the vessel by which God has chosen to reveal his promise.

Why do I feel this way? Because of God's grace. There is certainly nothing natural in me that should incline me this way.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[rnmomof7]

Honestly, I enjoy being hated for believing in the Gospel. For I know that love of the world is enmity against God; therefore, when the world hates me, it reassures me that my belief in God is true. Now, I don't mean that I base my assurance on how others feel about me, what I mean is that the world's disposition fulfills the Scripture that says we will be persecuted and hated by the world for our faith in God.

There is no message that the world hates more than the true Gospel (which, of course, is properly "Calvinistic"). Men hate to hear that they are devoid of any good and are nothing but objects of God's wrath. They hate to hear that they are wicked sinners who deserve hellfire. They hate to hear they will be judged by a righteous God. They hate that they have to believe in an historical figure, a man who is also God, because their distored sinful minds reject this obvious truth. They absolutely hate everything about him and they hate anyone who would scratch at their marred image of him.

And I love scratching at it.

I count it a privilege to be able to deliver the Gospel truth as commanded by our Lord. I count it a privilege to see the heathen squirm, rebel, and level insults at me for my faith. When I am persecuted, I thank God for his grace that I am enabled to withstand it, and I pray that, if it be his will, that I would be enabled to encounter even greater persecution in the name of his Son. Moreover, when I have the opportunity to share the Gospel with those whose hearts have been prepared to receive it, I consider it a monumental privilege to be the vessel by which God has chosen to reveal his promise.

Why do I feel this way? Because of God's grace. There is certainly nothing natural in me that should incline me this way.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Indeed my little brother

Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.


Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.



Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.


Jhn 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

[JJB]

Indeed my little brother

Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.


Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.



Jhn 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.


Jhn 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Thanks for the verses, RNMom! I love the Luke 6 verse. I have (or perhaps had) a Christian friend who will no longer speak to me once she found out I am steadfast in my faith.

 

[Imblessed]

Try visiting a conservative Presbyterian PCA after being in a Charismatic/ dance background your last church. I mean, who says you can't turn Presbyterians all Pentecostal in 10 seconds as the Frozen Chozen scramble to cast out the demons causing you to dance in the middle of their service. And just think that for the first 5 minutes I thought those nice Presbyterians were having a nice group hug with me.

They were so nice I think I'll visit them for a second week.

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall!!!


seriously though, since we all know that God is Totally Soveriegn, we know that eventually even the most devout arminian will come around...just maybe later!

 

[CCWoody]

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall!!!


seriously though, since we all know that God is Totally Soveriegn, we know that eventually even the most devout arminian will come around...just maybe later!

In reality, it would have been boring. Woody behaved himself. Now, next week may be a different story....

BTW, Mom, if the posters here think that the Calvinist/ Arminian wars are bad, they should have seen some of the stuff we've seen when there wasn't any moderation. We could tell some stories.

 

[Knight]

Simple.

The very essence of Calvinism teaches that it is not my job to convince anybody of my beliefs or the gospel. We are called to present the case but only God can convict and convince.

Anyone who believes the gospel or calvinism due to anything I say is not my triumph. Conversely, when they don't it is not my failure.

 

[seekingpurity047]

Well... in the great words of Spurgeon. "Calvinism is but a nickname. Calvinism is the gospel." I actually get very sad when people hate me for these doctrines, the truth about the gospel. The reason is not because they hate me... but because they hate the doctrines that they hate God. The true God. Calvinism is the gospel, therefore it's God's good news. If people hate it, then people must hate God.

It makes me very sad. There is only one true interpretation of scripture. And... as beautiful as arminianism sounds, calvinism is still the most biblically accurate. They, therefore, hate God. They hate the God in whom they worship. I think the best thing we can do for these people is pray. Prayer is crucial for these believers who are only semi believers, that they may be revealed the truth about God and His sovereignty over our wills.

Randy

 

[Rick Otto]

and Imblessed,... good call on the effectual timing being in God's hands as well (thank God!)

Friends,... I most often run into the idiomatic ignorance about the scriptural usage of "all" & "world", as well as idolatry of self will. It seems most often to depend on cognazant dissonance of salvation being grace & mercy, not "free"will & works. Then marches in the possible loss of the eternal gift thru shameful dis- or lack of, obediance.
Foreknowledge becomes clairvoyance with complete disregard for omniscience.
Predestination makes God a sadist.
It is wierd to me. I used to endure by not thinking about that & remaining mystified re: the contradictions, and "sharing the fantasy" of how much good the "church experience" offered my family.
But it got tough to hold on to the fantasy.
Especialy as I began to read real Protestant (Reform) literature, and study the geopolitical influence on & growth of, Christendom and The Church.
I do find it respectful & effective to try & get to be friends. Share info 'bout yourself as much as is appropriately possible. Personalize the chemistry, and discussion beyond disagreements can develope. That can add depth & reach, if not just a little redeeming humor, helping to keep "compassion fatigue" at bay.
That's my experience so far, anyway.