Misconceptions about Calvinism

[bfdd6988]

In your experience, what's the most common mistaken assumption people make about our doctrines?

 

[GreatistheLord]

That its Biblical

Or true

 

[GreatistheLord]

Sorry, i couldnt resist

 

[jimmyjimmy]

-

 

[twin1954]

In your experience, what's the most common mistaken assumption people make about our doctrines?

That we make God the author of sin.
That we believe people are robots.
That we don't believe in preaching the Gospel.
That we make God a monster.

 

[A New Dawn]

That we have the nerve to think we are saved.

 

[JM]

...that we follow the teachings of a man, John Calvin.

 

[JM]

Sorry, i couldnt resist

Couldn't resist...but you deny irresistible grace?

 

[St_Worm2]

^

 

[St_Worm2]

I think the "why would anyone bother preaching the Gospel if Calvinism is true" is the misconceived notion I probably hear the most.

 

[BryanW92]

From my Methodist friends, "You make God too small" (a reference to their concept that the "Elect" is all humans, who can then decide whether or not to accept the invitation to join said "Elect").

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

I think the "why would anyone bother preaching the Gospel if Calvinism is true" is the misconceived notion I probably hear the most.

Yes, agree. However that is the easiest one to answer: Because we are COMMANDED to do so.

 

[twin1954]

Yes, agree. However that is the easiest one to answer: Because we are COMMANDED to do so.

Being commanded to do so is the last of the reasons why a Calvinist ought to preach. I preach the Gospel of the free and sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus the Lord alone because I truly desire with all my heart that folks know Him as I know Him. I want Him to be lifted up in the hearts of chosen sinners. I preach because I honestly believe that the preaching of the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. I preach the Gospel because it honestly breaks my heart that folks act so insanely as to continue in unbelief and rebellion against the Lord. I preach the Gospel because I can do no other for He has called me to it and put me in it. I preach the Gospel because Christ is the only hope of sinners. I preach the Gospel because I want to not because I am commanded to.

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

Being commanded to do so is the last of the reasons why a Calvinist ought to preach. I preach the Gospel of the free and sovereign grace of God in Christ Jesus the Lord alone because I truly desire with all my heart that folks know Him as I know Him. I want Him to be lifted up in the hearts of chosen sinners. I preach because I honestly believe that the preaching of the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. I preach the Gospel because it honestly breaks my heart that folks act so insanely as to continue in unbelief and rebellion against the Lord. I preach the Gospel because I can do no other for He has called me to it and put me in it. I preach the Gospel because Christ is the only hope of sinners. I preach the Gospel because I want to not because I am commanded to.

The only visible mark of one's election is obeying God. It does not save us, or contribute to our salvation in any way. We do it because God enabled us to do so.

i'm sorry that i neglected to put up theological 'fences' around my earlier statement, however i did not feel that such qualifications were necessary in this forum.

 

[bfdd6988]

Thanks for the input, folks. I think that if our detractors could realize the misconceptions they have about us, then more would come over to our side of the fence, at the very least regarding the doctrines of grace. I know that's what it took for me to accept the truth of TULIP.

 

[twin1954]

The only visible mark of one's election is obeying God. It does not save us, or contribute to our salvation in any way. We do it because God enabled us to do so.

i'm sorry that i neglected to put up theological 'fences' around my earlier statement, however i did not feel that such qualifications were necessary in this forum.

It isn't a matter of putting up fences but one of not giving the free-will religionist an answer that makes it seem as though we only preach because we are made to.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Yes, agree. However that is the easiest one to answer: Because we are COMMANDED to do so.

This is the correct answer.

Of course there are more answers we can, and do, give e.g. God uses means, but we must begin with the fact that God has commanded it of us.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

The biggest misconceptions of Calvinism are certainly worthwhile considering, and it's also worthwhile discussing the barriers to belief in the doctrines of grace. This is a different question, but gets at the same thing i.e., why don't people embrace them, and why are they hostile towards them.

If I might, I think that man's ignorance regarding freewill is the #1 barrier to embracing the truths contained in TULIP.

Most Christians think that mankind is in a neutral state, one in which he has the ability to choose either good or evil. They have no idea of the consequences of the Fall, so they see the human race as having the same freedom as Adam did; therefore, they try to sway sinners by any means possible, away from the "dark side" and toward the "light side".

Helping people understanding the bondage of the will might be the most fruitful undertaking for us.

 

[A New Dawn]

The biggest misconceptions of Calvinism are certainly worthwhile considering, and it's also worthwhile discussing the barriers to belief in the doctrines of grace. This is a different question, but gets at the same thing i.e., why don't people embrace them, and why are they hostile towards them.

If I might, I think that man's ignorance regarding freewill is the #1 barrier to embracing the truths contained in TULIP.

Most Christians think that mankind is in a neutral state, one in which he has the ability to choose either good or evil. They have no idea of the consequences of the Fall, so they see the human race as having the same freedom as Adam did; therefore, they try to sway sinners by any means possible, away from the "dark side" and toward the "light side".

Helping people understanding the bondage of the will might be the most fruitful undertaking for us.

I think this is true, but the reason it is true is because they are taught from early on that we have the ability to make that determination. It is hard to break the beliefs of a lifetime. I was raised in a free-will church, and I was almost 50 before I could actually read the Bible without the 'rose-colored glasses' I was raise wearing to see what it actually said. And when I finally was free of that mindset was when I was finally able to see that the doctrines of grace are what the Bible teaches.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I think this is true, but the reason it is true is because they are taught from early on that we have the ability to make that determination. It is hard to break the beliefs of a lifetime. I was raised in a free-will church, and I was almost 50 before I could actually read the Bible without the 'rose-colored glasses' I was raise wearing to see what it actually said. And when I finally was free of that mindset was when I was finally able to see that the doctrines of grace are what the Bible teaches.

I hear ya. It was so ingrained that I didn't realize I was doing it either.