The Gideons

1. Is this evangelical approach acceptable to Calvinists?

Yes, overall I find it acceptable. As a Calvinist I have no problems at all with Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification, I now receive and confess Him as my personal Saviour. I have minor problems with the term Decision but not enough to withdraw support. They however at least do not have the repeat after me "Sinner's Prayer" which can give a mechanical feel to evangelism. Overall it's pretty good.

2. Do you support the ministry of The Gideons?

Yes, and will continue to do so.

 

Why would this even be a question? These people reach so many lost people in the world!

They are not selling anything....just giving the Word of God.

Sherrie

 

WoW! I will have to check this out.

Sherrie

 

The prayer shows this to be false: "...believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification..." The justification comes from Christ's death and resurrection.

 

The majority of Christians do not understand what justification means. So where does that put the new believer?

 

Actually what they are saying is not necessarily contrary to Reformed theology though I agree the term "descision" is not a good term and I don't like it. Paul and Silas however told the jailor "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved". That is practicaly the same what the Gideon statement says. Martin Luther himself said "To be converted to God means to believe in Christ to believe that He is our mediator and that we have eternal life through Him." ( Is not that basically what the Gideon statement says?

For most people to believe implies a "decision" while Calvinists understand that the reason people believe is because of the Holy Spirit's conviction, illumination, regenerating power. If Confessing to God that I am a sinner, and believing that the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross and was raised for my justification, I now receive and confess Him as my personal Saviour. is unBiblical then we are all in trouble. Despite some minor flaws in their approach, they do not deny the doctrine of justification by faith alone or get people to trust in their decision but in Christ by faith.

I know of Calvinists involved in the Gideons and would disagree they are denying justification by faith. I think most tracts do not do a great job and this one could be improved but it does not deny Justification by Faith. Let's don't be too nitpicky by calling Gideons false teachers.

 

What is the source of justifying faith: My Decision to Receive Christ As My Saviour or the Holy Spirit creating faith through the Word?

</font>[/QUOTE]Not to speak for Calvinists, since I am not one, but I would imagine that they would say that after a man is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, he willingly makes his decision to receive Christ as His Saviour.

 

Though not a Gideon, I believe that what they do is absolutely consistant with Christian evangelism.

They are sending forth the words right out of God's mouth as stated in

I shall continue to support the Gideon effort as I have through the years.

 

Scott, I would agree with that. In the former area I lived in the leader of the Gideon camp was a 5 point Calvinist. The Gideons are not denying Justification by faith.

 

http://www.gideons.org/

I honestly do not see how or where they are wrong.

They are a ministry to provides the world with the Bible. The Gospel! The Word of God! Just like some ministries provide music, some provide missionaries, and some tracts, and food.


Their mission is to:

They go to Jails and Prisons, Hospitals, Military, Colleges and Universities, those in the feild of Medical....and so on....

Sherrie

 

While the first is true, the second is most assuredly not. Many Calvinists have had times of doubt about their salvation. A decision to believe on Christ is absolutely necessary as the Bible describes and as calvinism teaches. If you deny that man must make a decision to follow Christ, then you are denying the biblical doctrine of salvation.

 

Not only does Calvinism teach that, so does Scripture. But that is off topic for this thread. Start another if you have questions about it.

 

You have made some good points John. Both Calvinists and Arminians believe a lost sinner has to do something to have eternal life.

 

Scripture declares that man must believe to be saved. If you deny that, then you deny the gospel. If you affirm that, then you affirm what Calvinists believe and what Scripture teaches. There is no salvation apart from belief on the part of man. The evidence for this is overwhelming in Scripture.