Featured Christians and the perception of others

Trying to bring out prejudices on the BBoard?

Rob

 

As worded is a loaded, complex question. Either a yes or a no, Calvinist are more hateful in some way.

 

Calvinism proports to be the Biblical teaching. While I do not agree Calvinism I find Calvinism has some real Biblical roots.

 

I would not use the word "hateful" in referring to select Calvinists I have personally encountered in my lifetime, but I might venture to say I have met some who may fit the description of "self-righteous."

Of course, one could argue that this is true of many "Christians," regardless of theology.

 

I haven’t met enough Calvinists IRL to make a sweeping judgement like that.

The ones on this forum don’t seem any more or less hateful.

 

That's a great line. "Some of my best friends are Calvinists ..."

 

NO. they may appear so often because they can be very insistent.

 

I suspect Calvinist's are perceived as less loving. The reason is that humans love to think they have full control over their lives and they gnash their teeth at anyone who says they don't have full control. Rather than allow God's word to speak truth, the natural reaction is to call a bearer of the message (that God chooses, you don't) unloving and prideful.

It is ironic, because the seed of pride is the idea that humans control their own destiny.

Roman Catholic synergists have spent 1500 years wanting to eradicate Reformed monergists. The claims that Reformed monergists are unloving is nothing new. Synergists demand they hold the reins. Monergists insist the reins cannot be held by humans and result in salvation. When synergists have no biblical argument, they claim the monergist is unloving. I take the claims for what they are...a desperate response to win social support when they have little to no biblical support.

 

I attend a church that promotes a ‘free grace’ theology so you might think that Calvinists might be frowned upon, yet our family pastor leans towards Calvinist doctrine and the video we are currently watching in adult Sunday school is taught by DA Carson.

I think that Calvinism draws out a more aggressive group, those that are prone to a black and white approach to doctrine.
But over time the Spirit can work with any Christian to soften them.

Rob

 

Of course, over time, the devil can work on hearts to cause them to imagine they have control over their salvation and thus get the believer to be self-centered on their own works as a means of salvation or maintenance of salvation.

 

Sigh you don't gave a clue what the reason is. If you did you would fall on your knees and repent.

 

No, but some come across as more prideful, the very thing they often accuse others of. Oh, the irony.

 

OK... the most Hypocritical People are today’s Evangelicals