Why aren't you a Calvinist?

I started reading this thread this morning, but gave up midway through page 2. It's just too discouraging to see the bickering and arrogance.
Obviously some of you believe it is essential to know if God chose you or if you responded to God. To me, that's like the old "which came first the chicken or the egg." If I'm a chicken farmer, I'd better stop worrying about such questions and simply take good care of my chickens!!

I know that there are scriptures that appear to support Calvinism, but Calvinists better admit that there are a LOT of verses that would say otherwise. (can you tell, I'm not calvinist, but I do agree that many verses seem to support it). I'm humble enough to say "I don't know for sure!!!" Because now "we see through a glass dimly" and we are NEVER going to understand everything about God and His Word until we are with Him in heaven!

Basically I don't care if God chose me or if I responded to God. I am saved now and I praise God for that! The doctrine of election has nothing whatsoever to do with how I treat my husband, my children, my neighbors, how I view God as being full of infinite majesty, love, mercy, and holiness. It has nothing whatsoever to do with how I try to use a "gentle answer which turns away wrath," or that I try to do "nothing out of selfish ambition," or "let no unwholesome word come out of my mouth." I could, of course, go on and on.

Arguments like these show a lot more of the human sin nature than they show the love of Christ. I know it's a cliche, but can't we just agree to disagree, and praise the Lord for each other's salvation?

Arguments like these show a lot more of the human sin nature than they show the love of Christ. I know it's a cliche, but can't we just agree to disagree, and praise the Lord for each other's salvation?

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I appreciate this statement, I really do. There is something for you to consider though. There are actual bondages associated with believing things that are untrue. Paul spoke about this in Galatians, it's a worthwhile letter to read often. Chapter's 3 and 5 should be read very often. People put each other in bondage, it's never God who binds us. So, it's actually important to debate these issues. We need to do so with the love of Christ.

eldermike said:

I appreciate this statement, I really do. There is something for you to consider though. There are actual bondages associated with believing things that are untrue. Paul spoke about this in Galatians, it's a worthwhile letter to read often. Chapter's 3 and 5 should be read very often. People put each other in bondage, it's never God who binds us. So, it's actually important to debate these issues. We need to do so with the love of Christ.

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Thank you for your thoughts. However, there is a difference between believing things that are untrue, and admitting that scripture seems unclear on something. Yes, it is profitable to consider these difficult issues, but when it gets to the point where one side is saying "Well clearly God's Word says thus and so" and "it would be heretical to deny that scripture says blah blah blah", then I think it is far better to realize that there are godly, well-intentioned people on both sides of the issue.
I figure, who am I to know for sure about things like election, OSAS, pre-trib/post-trib, etc, when great theologians throughout history cannot come to an agreement. Again, to consider issues is fine, to arrogantly and emphatically insist on one's correctness on the issue is, I believe, more harmful than beneficial.