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My denomination is in error!

JacobHall86

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Since the word Homosexual didn't appear until the 19th century, there were no dudes having sex with other dudes until then? Its the action that is the problem, NOT WHAT YOU CALL IT.

Your cornerstone is not Jesus, but worldly appeasement.

When we are called to Jesus we are called to chuck the world and grab Holiness. Not the other way around.
 
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arunma

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I would like to apologise to everyone I debated for the PCUSA against. You guys were right. I should have shut my prideful arrogant trap and listened to better informed voices before I joined.

Pride is a sin that I myself have been guilty of on far too many occasions. I have been a Christian for five years now. For the first two of them I believed that homosexuality was OK, that God didn't hate abortion, that non-Christians who don't hear the Gospel can be saved, and that women can preach in church. Bible-believing Christians gently corrected me on these issues. And I am still fighting to kill my pride. In any case, we are just thankful that God moved you to leave the PCUSA for a Bible-believing denomination where you can grow in your faith.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been having trouble with your wife's side of the family. Christ promised that he would cause divisions within the families of believers (I have experienced this too). Please continue to use the many Bible-believing Christians here as a resource until you are folded into a new church. We are more than happy to help and pray for you.
 
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arunma

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I find it rather odd that pro-homosexuality Christians blame the Bible's comments about homosexuality on non-Christian religions, because most of these people also believe that non-Christians are going to heaven. Let's say you're right. Let's say that the apostles only condemned homosexual sex when it was performed in the context of false religions. Then the condemnation isn't really against homosexuality, but against false religions. Tell me: do you believe, as I do, that it is sinful to be a non-Christian? Do you believe, as I do, that all non-Christians without exception are going to hell?

The Bible makes many condemnations of false religions. The Scriptures quoted by others here aren't among those condemnations. It's quite clear that the Bible teaches strongly against homosexuality. You are trying to make the Bible say what you want it to say. I know because I've committed this sin too. JacobHall might have put it bluntly, but he's absolutely right. You aren't taking the Bible seriously. Either take God at his word or not at all, but don't give him lip service.


DeaconDean presented a very well-articulated and academic case against homosexuality, and this is your response? For someone who champions intellectualism, you sure aren't practicing what you preach. I notice that you don't even bother to defend your positions with Scripture, but with your own personal opinions. That should tell you something about how well your views agree with God's.
 
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Calvinist Dark Lord

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YOU do some research.

Find one recognised bible scholar who would without reservation based upon the biblical text,endourse the idea that homosexual behaviour is not sin.

Your argument is simply reading a pre-conceived notion of what you want to be true into the text without regard to what the text actually teaches.
 
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Cajun Huguenot

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DD,

I wish you well in finding a Bible believing Reformed Church. While there are godly folk in the PCUSA, they have been fighting a loosing battle to bring that denomination back the Bible for a long time.

Your family is in my prayers.
Kenith
 
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AndOne

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I talked to my wife and after a long conversation she and I decided that I have to tell the Pastor at the PC-USA church that we're leaving and then we'll go looking. I printed out this page from scripture catholic (don't worry they're on the same side on this issue) http://www.scripturecatholic.com/homosexuality.html and we looked up the verses in the ESV and talked about them and decided it is best to follow God's word than to try to make excuses for things.

We are going to find a Bible believing Church. My wife is reluctant but understanding. Her step father is an ELCA minister and is pretty liberal. He will be pretty upset with me. We have clashed a few times over bible interpretation. He has a PHD so he thinks that he is an authority and that his historical critical hermenuetic rules all. He denies the virgin birth and the inerrancy of scripture and that there is a hell. He also sees nothing wrong with openly gay individuals in the pulpit. So, if you guys would pray I'd appreciate it. I'm going to have a tough time when they find out we are finding a bible believing Church. My mother in law already told my wife that she shouldn't listen to me and should ditch her ESV for The Message. So, I'm in real trouble with the in-laws on this one.

Ouch, bro - tough situation, but the best thing I can say is to always respond in love to them. They are your wife's parents - so when you get frustrated don't let 'em see it if you can help.

You can show your mother-in-law the same scriptures from "The Message" in regards to this issue and point out to her where they say the same thing - just in modern language.


I found a PCA Church not too far from here that we are going to try this Sunday. What denomination are you? What are good reformed denominations.

I came close to hooking up with the PCA not long after I embraced the doctrines of grace and Calvinism. I just couldn't reconcile padeobaptism with scripture when it was all said and done. I am just a Baptist at heart I guess.

I'm currently going to a Calvary Chapel now - which is NOT reformed - but pretty darn close - though their main website denies Calvinism. I just think the local church I belong to is more accepting of it. They know we are Calvinists and it's not an issue. All the good reformed churches around where I live are just too far of a drive. We are real happy with our church though - and though not reformed I would recommend any Calvary Chapel church to you to at least check out.

Being active duty Coast Guard we have to play the "find-a-new-church" game every two or three years and until we moved to our current station we have been sticking with Southern Baptist churches which are also reformed in doctrine.

If I had my choice I'd join any Soveriegn Grace Ministries Church - as they seem to line up with my understanding of scripture the most. They are reformed, teach adult baptism, and also believe that the gifts of the spirit did not cease at the closing of scripture. That is me in a nut-shell. Seems like everywhere I get stationed there aren't any around or they are too far. We're moving to North Carolina this summer and there are no SG churches there - nor CC churches for that matter either. We may wind up in a PCA church after all - who knows....
 
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arunma

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With all due respect, I think you'd be better off in a PCA church than in CC.

Unless I'm mistaken, you do not have to accept infant baptism to join the church. You would have to of course to hold office in the church, but I am pretty sure you can be a member.

I can vouch for this. When I was in the PCA church plant, they were extremely tolerant of my credobaptist views. The pastor actually leaned that way as well, and the elders in authority over him were well aware of this. Credobaptist doctrine is well-accepted in the PCA, although they ultimately take a paedobaptist stance.
 
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AndOne

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With all due respect, I think you'd be better off in a PCA church than in CC.

Unless I'm mistaken, you do not have to accept infant baptism to join the church. You would have to of course to hold office in the church, but I am pretty sure you can be a member.

Yea - you're right about this - and since he is already Presbyterian the PCA would be his best bet. I just mentioned the CC in case he is ever in my position and has no other options in regards to reformed churches being around.

Just from a glance at the internet it looks like the only reformed churches in my next area are PCA - so I may wind up in one as a credo-baptist but it's cool - the PCA is on the money as far as I'm concerned....
 
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oworm

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I can vouch for this. When I was in the PCA church plant, they were extremely tolerant of my credobaptist views. The pastor actually leaned that way as well, and the elders in authority over him were well aware of this. Credobaptist doctrine is well-accepted in the PCA, although they ultimately take a paedobaptist stance.

You can hold exceptions within reason in the PCA but you won't be able to teach those exceptions if they contradict the standards. We don't have a strict subscription stance in the PCA but that often depends from presbytery to presbytery.
 
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DD2008

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I left the PCUSA officially today. I spoke with an elder on the phone and took my church directory and envelopes back to the church office.

So. I want to do this right. We're going to go searching for a church.

I believe all five points of Calvinism I'm in the paedobaptist camp. I believe in a spiritual presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. I believe the scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.

I really look up to R.C Sproul. I agree with him on everything so far. I haven't read and studied all of his work. But he is the standard I look to to see what the reformed position is.

I talked to my wife today during my lunch hour and she said we might as well start our visit of the PCA church with Sunday School. I can't wait. I hope it's good. We're going to be extra careful this time before we join though.
 
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mlqurgw

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Yea - you're right about this - and since he is already Presbyterian the PCA would be his best bet. I just mentioned the CC in case he is ever in my position and has no other options in regards to reformed churches being around.

Just from a glance at the internet it looks like the only reformed churches in my next area are PCA - so I may wind up in one as a credo-baptist but it's cool - the PCA is on the money as far as I'm concerned....
I know of a few good sovereign grace churches in N.C. I may be able to point you toward one near where you are giong.
 
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oworm

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I left the PCUSA officially today. I spoke with an elder on the phone and took my church directory and envelopes back to the church office.

So. I want to do this right. We're going to go searching for a church.

I believe all five points of Calvinism I'm in the paedobaptist camp. I believe in a spiritual presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. I believe the scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.

I really look up to R.C Sproul. I agree with him on everything so far. I haven't read and studied all of his work. But he is the standard I look to to see what the reformed position is.

I talked to my wife today during my lunch hour and she said we might as well start our visit of the PCA church with Sunday School. I can't wait. I hope it's good. We're going to be extra careful this time before we join though.
https://processor.pcanet.org/ac/directory/directory.cfm
 
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AndOne

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I know of a few good sovereign grace churches in N.C. I may be able to point you toward one near where you are giong.

I already looked but if you know better please let me know. I'll be living in New Bern....
 
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bradfordl

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DD, as hard as it is right now, this has been my prayer for you. The prodigal son came to his senses while in a pigsty, and started for home. Not that your situation is completely analogous, it didn't appear to me that you understood what a mess that denom was. But God doesn't leave His sheep out in the woods alone for long. I figured if you were His, you'd be out soon enough. I am rejoicing to see a brother delivered from the sad remnants of a once-faithful denomination now become a dungeon of apostasy. The Lord has broken you free, don't be too bummed about the ordeal.

If there's a PCA near you, it should be within the pale of orthodoxy, although some are a tad loopy these days, and thats from a PCA member - me. Check it out, it may be where the Lord will have you serve Him. If there are any OPC Churches around, they might be even more faithful, and there are some great micro-denom presby Churches in NC depending on where you are. Some may be more conservative than you are accustomed to, even the PCA Church may be, but take your time and give them a chance. You might find they have good reason for being so.

Praise God, brother! I hadn't been around CF for awhile, and I have to say that this news makes coming over extremely worthwhile! Our Father will work all this out for you, DD. Take care, and may the Lord bless your way.

Edit: DD, I got the impression you were in NC, but your profile says Richardson, TX. If that's where you are, there's a lot of folks I am aquainted with around the DFW area that are reformed. My family's from Ft Worth and Greenville, so I've got a few (thousand) relatives around there as well. PM me and I'll get some info for you.
 
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bradfordl

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DD, if you're looking at Town North PCA, I just read their bulletin online, and it sounds like a fantastic Church! Very orthodox and appropriate worship of God from what I read. Enjoy, brother. Responsive readings of Psalms, NT scripture, and WCF. Ruling Elders and Deacons taking part in leading worship. Looks like a Regulative Principle of Worship kinda place. That's just cool!
 
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DD2008

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DD, if you're looking at Town North PCA, I just read their bulletin online, and it sounds like a fantastic Church! Very orthodox and appropriate worship of God from what I read. Enjoy, brother. Responsive readings of Psalms, NT scripture, and WCF. Ruling Elders and Deacons taking part in leading worship. Looks like a Regulative Principle of Worship kinda place. That's just cool!


Thanks. I'm looking forward to trying it. I have hope for it. :)
 
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ReformedChapin

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I know that you are getting bombarded with church suggestions. I'm not sure if URCNA has a church around your area but you can check for a possible alternative.

http://www.service-life.com/sysfile...c.cfm?memberid=303&public=1&reporttype=custom


United Reformed Churches adhere rigidly to the 3 forms of unity. And like a pastor said to my friends when they ask their similarity to Presbyterians are pretty much like kissing cousins. They are both seeking communion with each other so the differences are very minute. Some of URCNA members that are well known are Dr Micheal Horton and Dr Riddlebarger who teach at Westminster Seminary California.
 
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DD2008

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I know that you are getting bombarded with church suggestions. I'm not sure if URCNA has a church around your area but you can check for a possible alternative.

http://www.service-life.com/sysfile...c.cfm?memberid=303&public=1&reporttype=custom


United Reformed Churches adhere rigidly to the 3 forms of unity. And like a pastor said to my friends when they ask their similarity to Presbyterians are pretty much like kissing cousins. They are both seeking communion with each other so the differences are very minute. Some of URCNA members that are well known are Dr Micheal Horton and Dr Riddlebarger who teach at Westminster Seminary California.

Thanks. I'm in the DFW area. I didn't see one close to me. It's an interesting option though.
 
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