Many different Anabaptist sects under one heading

[MrJim]

I have been an Anabaptist for 20+ years and I am also into Reformed Theology. So, what do you call this?

Fun...

I was an anabaptist into reformed for a long time but eventually returned to it.

First Mennonite (Calvinist) Church?

 

[ZiSunka]

Mennonite Calvinist church????

You're kidding me!

 

[MrJim]

Mennonite Calvinist church????

You're kidding me!

Yeah, but wait, someday someone will come up with it!

 

[ZiSunka]

Mennonites and Calvinism go together like elephants and polar bears!

 

[MrJim]

Mennonites and Calvinism go together like elephants and polar bears!

 

[theAmishGirl]

I must be the low man on the theology totem pole but exactly what is Calvanism??

 

[Danfrey]

You have fallen victim to the idea that the old ways are better ways, even though the Bible warns against such attitudes.

What I have fallen victim to is the idea that maybe a person who lived in the culture and spoke the language the scriptures were written in may have a better idea of what they mean than I do.

I also tire of this discussion. You are correct that you will not change my view that we can gain understanding from those who came before us. I don't believe the bible is open to personal interpretation.

For those who may be reading this without reading the whole thread, I emphasize these points.....

I never claimed, nor do I believe the early church writings are inerrant or canon.

I don't believe they are required to understand scripture

We have thousands of denominations that claim to be lead by the holy spirit coming up with opposing doctrines...in these cases, the early church writers help us understand the scriptures in light of the culture and language in which they were written.

 

[Danfrey]

I must be the low man on the theology totem pole but exactly what is Calvanism??

Warning, the part after the dash is my own wording that may come across a biased against Calvinism which I am.

Calvinism can be summed up by 5 points of doctrine.

Total depravity - You can't choose to serve God unless he makes you
Unconditional election - Choosing you for salvation has nothing to do with anything you have done, will do, or your faith
Limited atonement - The death of Christ takes away sin of only those he chose, not all the world
Irresistable Grace - There is no way to resist following God if you are one of the elect
Perseverence of the Saints - Also known as "Once saved always saved"

 

[ZiSunka]

I also tire of this discussion. You are correct that you will not change my view that we can gain understanding from those who came before us. I don't believe the bible is open to personal interpretation.

I don't either. I just don't think the early writings that survived are necessarily the ones that should be explaining doctrine to us.

I think personal interpretation without consulting commentaries is quite dangerous in that it may well take you far afield of where the truth lies, but I think you have to be just as cautious about which commentaries you choose. For me, people who believed the Gospel of James is truth and that Mary is co-redemptrix with Christ just don't know what they are talking about.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I must be the low man on the theology totem pole but exactly what is Calvanism??

Some anabaptists (like one I attended) do NOT clearly teach TULIP (Calvinism) but rather Reformed Theology which TULIP is part of.

To learn more about TULIP, John Piper have many good articles and sermons on them. John Piper is a Reformed Baptist preacher.
The Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism & TULIP Theology)

 

[MrJim]

The historic anabaptist position is clearly not a reformed one. A TRUE reformed position will have you baptizing your babies.

Calvin the reformer persecuted the anabaptists because he felt they were heretics.

 

[theAmishGirl]

ok- thanks for the clarification- i understand some of the basis' held by the church I grew up in now!