I do not believe any Calvinist here or any adherent to the Doctrine of Grace on this board and in any forum of this board feel they are better than anyone else because they do any of the above.
That's great and quiet admirable because I know it is something I struggle with in real life. But I suppose some folks personal trials are one thing, while others have to deal with something else.
On the other hand, when I was in the "other side of the fence", so to speak, I do tend to (1) make sure I was in church come rain or shine, (2) I give more than the ten percent so often apoplexically preached by many preachers, especially those in the mountain villages who need their members' support to get by considering they're on "full time" ministry, (3) studied more because I felt it to be a duty rather than a pleasure (4) dispensationalism I didn't care much about, though the baptist fellowship my old church belonged to was a strict one on that and tended to exclude anyone who didn't adhere to dispensationalism.
Why did I do all those ?
Because I felt if I didn't, maybe I wasn't a Christian after all considering how I've been ostracized many a time for failing to quit tobacco, failing to quit occassional alcohol, failing to quit going to the movies, occassionally spouting invectives whenever I am really "kicking it" with anger, failing to put my fists under control, failing to keep my Castillian temper under control, and so on.
I hadda do something, and prove I am different from what I was to meet the "if anyone's in Christ he is a new creature" jazz, right ?
Here you make a very good point.
Seems it does not matter what "ism" or theology is considered, it is real easy to get to a point of looking for "proof" of salvation.
Now, don't get me wrong here, I do feel Christians should be selective in whom they have fellowship and Christians do have a responsibility to maintain a witness when viewed by the world; however it is very easy to go from this to a point where one "back loads the gospel" and feels one must do or not do certain things to have salvation.
And, again, please bear in mind I am speaking of what it appears which is not necessarily reality; but it seems this back loading of the gospel is more prevalent with Calvinist because of this chosen verses all thing.
It seems to go something like: if you are truly one of the chosen, then you will show it.
And it is real easy to then go to the point where one feels that since I do show it, then I must be one of the chosen.
And I must say, I resent that.
I know you meant no malice, but still I can't help it.
I resent that.
Because the theology under discussion does not teach, nor make any of its adherents, feel they are under any circumstance special from anyone else.
We are all of us sinners who deserve nothing better than the wrath of God in its fullness and totality.
But I can understand where you're coming from.
I'm sorry you resent it, and yes, I meant no malice for I am speaking as someone from the outside looking in.
I am not talking about what you see as reality, I am talking about what others see from the outside.
I agree we are all sinners who deserve nothing better than the wrath of God; but from the outside it appears your theology leaves some by the wayside simply because God did not chose to show mercy on them while giving no understandable reason for this decree of God.
But where does the resentment stem? I have had others here make some pretty base remarks about my beliefs; but I do not resent it because I have confidence in my beliefs.
IMO if one is fully confident in one's beliefs, then disparaging remarks about them should just run off like water off a duck's back.
That statement reminds me of my Pentecostal Full Gospel sister who thinks Baptists are heretics because many believe in the eternal security of the believer.
She didn't even want me inside her house because I was Baptist, wouldn't shake my hand or give me a hug, because I was Baptist and one who believed in the eternal security of the believer.
Until she understood what eternal security really taught.
What do you feel eternal security really teaches?
Again, friend, you might as well say that since I accept the way of the Ninja, then I must be a Ninja.
Are you saying you accept parts of Calvinism; but you do not accept the part that says those who are saved were chosen before the foundation of the world by a decree of God?
Won't ever go back to listenin' and taking seriously them high-rollin', high-edjikayshun, fulla big high fallutin' words, Dr this or Dr that preacher.
I'm with ya' on this one brother.
And I do apologize for taking some time in response. I have read your post several times and still don't know if I have expressed my feelings in a brotherly way. :tonofbricks:
