Questions About Reformed Theology

[FaithfulPilgrim]

I have a great respect for the Reformed tradition although I'm unsure whether I lean Calvinist or Arminian. I admire the Reformed faith, yet I also really like Anabaptism, yet the two seem mutually exclusive.

Would anyone care to answers a few questions I have?

1. Would you consider Calvinistic Southern Baptists reformed? Why or why not?

2. What did the Huguenots believe about baptism? Did they baptize infant. How did they differ from Puritans (other than being French?)

3. Why did you become a Calvinist as opposed to an Arminian or a Molinist?

 

[JM]

I have a great respect for the Reformed tradition although I'm unsure whether I lean Calvinist or Arminian. I admire the Reformed faith, yet I also really like Anabaptism, yet the two seem mutually exclusive.

The Anabaptists were apart of the radical Reformation and existed in a few different strains include a branch that believed in plural marriage and taking the existing authorities by the sword. see Munster Rebellion to get started

Would anyone care to answers a few questions I have?

1. Would you consider Calvinistic Southern Baptists reformed? Why or why not?

By the old standards no Baptist could ever be considered Reformed because Reformed included paedobaptism however, since the 1960's Particular Baptists have been using the term Reformed to describe their theology. So yes, I think SBC churches could be considered Reformed if and only if they adhere to a Reformed Confession such as the 1643, 1689, Abstract Principles, heck...even the New Hampshire Confession.

[quote2. What did the Huguenots believe about baptism? Did they baptize infant. How did they differ from Puritans (other than being French?)[/quote]

I'll leave that for someone more knowledgeable about the Huguenots.

3. Why did you become a Calvinist as opposed to an Arminian or a Molinist?

Calvinism, Reformed theology, is much more consistent. The underlying presupposition is God's glory and this affects all of our theology. The Arminian is a theological compromise seeking to elevate man above his fallen state. Molinist was nothing but a philosophical polemic created by the Jesuits to combat the expansion of Reformed theology.

Van Til explains the differences in Mr. Black, Mr. White, Mr. Grey.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[TaylorSexton]

1. Would you consider Calvinistic Southern Baptists reformed? Why or why not?

I am unsure about that. I really am. Some would say yes, others would say no.

2. What did the Huguenots believe about baptism? Did they baptize infant. How did they differ from Puritans (other than being French?)

Huguenots are Calvinists through-and-through. In other words, they baptized infants. Also, Puritans are Calvinists and Calvinists are Puritans. Puritans are no different people than Calvin himself was. Reformed theology as it is supposed to be must seek practical, everyday holiness.

3. Why did you become a Calvinist as opposed to an Arminian or a Molinist?

Because neither is taught in Scripture. I know Arminians (which a Molinist really is, since his entire system is created to subvert the absolute sovereignty of the God who made heaven, earth and hell) will object, but it really is as simple as that. As soon as someone can show me anything close to the Arminian view of God to be taught in Scripture, I will denounce my Calvinism with the most vehement disgust and never turn back. Until then, however...

 

[twin1954]

I have a great respect for the Reformed tradition although I'm unsure whether I lean Calvinist or Arminian. I admire the Reformed faith, yet I also really like Anabaptism, yet the two seem mutually exclusive.

Would anyone care to answers a few questions I have?

More than happy to answer any questions that you might have.

1. Would you consider Calvinistic Southern Baptists reformed? Why or why not?

It depends. I am a Calvinist in my soteriology but not Reformed. I do not bind myself to the confessions and disagree with Reformed tradition and the confessions on a few things, such as the law. Technically no Baptist can be Reformed but in the last few decades many have begun to identify themselves as Reformed Baptist. So it depends on who you ask and how strict you want to be. Historically Baptists have been Calvinistic but have a different understanding of the Covenant of Grace.

The SBC started out as Calvinistic.

2. What did the Huguenots believe about baptism? Did they baptize infant. How did they differ from Puritans (other than being French?)

I believe they were paedobaptists. Do I remember correctly that they were German/French? I don't believe that there was much difference between them and the Puritans. If there was they were minor.

3. Why did you become a Calvinist as opposed to an Arminian or a Molinist?

I never became a Calvinist I was born one. I was raised as a Primitive Baptist and Hyper-Calvinist all the way. My struggle was what it meant to preach the Gospel.

The simple fact is that we are all Arminians by nature. We don't mind a god who controls everything except us. We want our destiny to be in our hands and under our control. That is why every false religion is built on free will.

I became a living Calvinist when the Lord saved me. I had all the doctrine and theology in my mind and preached it but I didn't have Christ. I was a dead Calvinist.

 

[TaylorSexton]

I believe they were paedobaptists. Do I remember correctly that they were German/French?

Form my understanding, they were primarily, if not exclusively, French.

 

[Huguenot]

Yes, the Huguenots were the French Protestants.