I disagree to an extent,
@Zaatar71 .
A forum like this is in part for that purpose. You can agree or disagree, as I will do shortly.
Typically what is viewed as "attacking a position" is when those who do not agree with that position express their disagreement. But we should "attack" even our own positions in this way because if they do not stand up to the "attack" they are mot worth holding.
I believe that historically rooted positions that are denied, or called theory, or philosophy is an attack. When people have described biblically major portions of truth and others insist on denying that, or actually questioning God's revealed word. I see it as an attack, just as much as Satan asked "has God Said"?
You also need to define "credibility".
Credibility is when a person offers their own personal idea, that no one else has suggested at any time in Church History, not in any Confession of faith. On these issues Confessional Churches agree on the Cross.
For me, any Christian offers a credible argument if they are evaluating a position via Scripture.
Sure, if they do not deny Biblical definitions which has to take place to deny these teachings.
People do not need to have a masters degree in theology to evaluate what a person says the Bible teaches against what is actually written in Scripture.
I see that the poster Martin M, has done a solid job of offering the Historic teaching, and the Current understanding in Churches.
Now, it may help when it comes to having studied historical theology and the biblical languages, but it is fairly simple to compare the biblical text against God's words.
Martin and others have done that day in and day out.
Often people define "credibility" as being those who have a formal education in theology AND agree with their positions. I believe that type of thinking is flawed (even though I do have a formal education in theology).
Claims of a formal education are not conclusive, or necessarily true. The truth of such claims without biblical alignment to the truth once delivered to the saints shows a lack of credibility. I can claim to be a master auto mechanic, but if I cannot explain the basics of a car engine, I in turn would wipe away any credibility, no one would take me seriously. In the same way, when posters state things that no one else does. they cannot be a trusted guide.
I do not believe that Scripture is God's revelation to the religious elite (often the religious elite, the scholars and theologians, are the ones who cannot accept what God has revealed as it falls below their standards and expectations).
This might be your stated opinion, but that is all it is. Why call educated and gifted teachers. the religious elite?
Jn.3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Instead I believe that Scripture was written for the "common man" of the time of its writing (like fisherman, tax collector, farmers) and has baffled those who think themselves wise for centuries.
It is, however God for some reason has given Pastors and teachers, to local churches, to preach and to teach the gospel of the Kingdom as we see in Acts 28:
30 And Paul dwelt
two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. He does not say, He just kept saying, Just believe what was written, like I claim to do. He opened the scripture concerning the Kingdom for two years! The says that preaching, and teaching happened.
Another issue of disagreement is equating "attacking" a position with "doing evil" to the person who holds that position. It is, I believe, the exact opposite in reality. If you look at my belief and point out that it departs from Scripture then you do me a favor rather than an evil.
People have offered you help, you reject it. That is fine, but you stand alone.
That said, I have seen arguments against Calvinism that were based on stereotypes and misunderstanding. One of these is the "cosmic child abuse argument".
yes, It is often attacked by caricatures and strawmen
But having come out of Calvinism, having been a Calvinist,
Again, that is your claim, that we cannot verify. You do not give any evidence of that. Instead you are with those who oppose the se truths. That is your right to do so, but all the Cals, and those who are studying toward the position do not seem to accept your claim, based on what they se you post. These topics are not about, you and what you claim, they are about Jesus and the Cross.
having taught theology, having studied theology, theogical development, and historical theology,
We have no verification of that. That is your claim. Some might question that.
I have some insights that those within Calvinism who never went to seminary may overlook (or simply not know).
This is yet another claim that distracts from the discussion.
But this helps realizing what is presupposes in a position rather than judging whether those presuppositions are wrong.
your view.
Ultimately, however, every Christian has the ability and responsibility to test their faith against the words of God.
Yes indeed.
