Am I reformed, Arminian, Dispensationalist, or a mix?

[evangelist6589]

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

 

[InTheLight]

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

I know this is important to you, but really, why the labels?

I am a blood-bought, forgiven and redeemed believer in Jesus Christ.

 

[evangelist6589]

I know this is important to you, but really, why the labels?

I am a blood-bought, forgiven and redeemed believer in Jesus Christ.

I like labels

 

[quantumfaith]

I like labels

Did Jesus use labels? Are not most labels the creation of us?

 

[Greektim]

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

Whatever you are... you are focused on you for many of your posts. Whether it is another trendy book you've read, your WOTM approach, or this... you tend to focus on you a lot.

 

[saturneptune]

Did Jesus use labels? Are not most labels the creation of us?

I do not recall the word reformed used one time in the NT. The term Calvin or Calvinism is certainly not used, as Scripture is Holy, and that name is anything but Holy.

Sovereignty and grace are certainly major themes in Scripture. Many Christians do not agree with limited atonement, so I do not see anything out of line with the opening post that is not common among many Christians.

I also have to agree with Greek Tim that we should not be focused on where we fall in the man made catagory of labels. To me, one reads Scripture, relies on the Holy Spirit to illuminate, and one believes as lead.

Generic labels do the least harm, but are not necessary. For example, "reformed" asks "reformed from what?" Scripture?? The most damage is caused by labels named after individuals, especially the one mentioned above. When unworthy names are attached to doctrine, it damages that doctrine and promotes other ideas that do not parallel Scripture.

 

[Oldtimer]

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

If memory serves, many of your posts have dealt with the "academic". Whether books on climbling the ladder of corporate success, developing personal relationships, and more. If I don't have you confused with someone else, you've talked about your budget for buying more books every month, instead of applying those dollars to a student loan. (Apologies, if my memory is faulty this morning.)

If that is fairly accurate, perhaps you should lay aside all those books, for a while. Quit worring about "systems", "reformed", etc. Instead, just pick up the Bible and read. Even if you've done it several times before, start with Gen 1:1 and don't read another book, commentary, whatever, until you reach Rev 22:21. (Read His word in prayer for His guidance.) Put your focus totally on His word, His Word. The Word.

God isn't the author of confusion. We cannot say that about earthly authors who ply their opinions and are under the influence of both the Holy Spirit and satan. As the individual case may be.

Put these two passages of scripture in front of anything from the world of academics.

OT: Proverbs 2: KJB
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

NT: 2 Timothy 2: KJB
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

All those "labels" are far secondary to what is contained in those two passages of scripture, IMO. In some of those instances you mentioned, I don't have a clue as to which one most accurately applies to me.

In a little while, I'll be leaving the house to render service unto our Lord. Labels won't matter. What will matter, at the end of this day, is whether Jesus can say "Well done, my good and faithful servant" for my actions this day.

 

[Salty]

Did Jesus use labels? Are not most labels the creation of us?

Your profile says you are a Baptist - isn't that a label.

I agree with Evangelist - I like labels - that gives me an ideal of where a person is coming from.

Funny thing though many demand labels for themselves - example, I attended a race relations class a few years ago. First, several said they were an African-American or some other fill in the blank.
I mentioned I was a Mutt American. (English, German, French,ect) and they were offended.
With a class of about 1 dozen, I stated I was a minority in that class - I was the only white male. They got offended at that.

Labels are informative and should be used.

 

[webdog]

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

If you are a 4 point Calvinist, there is the title Christmas Calvinist (NO-EL)... or 'confused'.

 

[Van]

Know what you believe

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

Names are an interesting topic. I think Baptists would be more apt to call someone by their self identified name, rather than labeling a person contrary to their liking.

In my opinion, you need to think through your soteriology before claiming you are this or that. The four points of Calvinism, TULI are like a house of cards, if you pull one card out, say the "L," the house collapses. Why would Christ have died for everybody if God had already chosen to save a select few? And if God has not already chosen a select few, then the opportunity for your evangelism exists to actually impact the outcome of some of the lost. I could go on, but this thread is not about Calvinism.

Your belief that we do not save ourselves when we declare we are believers in Christ is both Biblical and Calvinistic, because it is God who credits our faith as righteousness or not, and God, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, who puts us individually in Christ, spiritually baptizing us into His body.

I think right now it would be accurate to say you hold to a mix of Arminian and Calvinistic beliefs.

 

[Yeshua1]

I was thinking about trying to also become a member of a certain Reformed website, however I think they would throw me out as I am not 5 point reformed, but tend to be a mix of Calvinist and Dispensationalist. I believe most of what MacArthur teaches, and I hold to disp eschatology. I seem to believe in everything of Calvinism except LIMITED ATONEMENT so I am a 4 point Calvinist. I do not believe in easy-believism and sometimes use the sinners prayer in evangelism, however I state clearly that no prayer saves anyone, as only the HS can do that.

So what do you say? Perhaps I do not understand the systems well enough and its not as if IFB Churches are exactly academic environments that encourage reading, so perhaps I have been a bit lacking on the academic side.

you can sor out where you are, based pon this little "label!"

Reformed baptist hold to calvinism, 5 pointers, hold to entire theological system of calvinism, except for infant baptism, church govt

reformed usually 4 pointers/some 5, hold to DoG, many Dispy, such as Dr MacArthur I see myself here

Arminian Quite close to calvinists, big differences in view of atonement, extent it was for, and how one become Elect of God!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

If you are a 4 point Calvinist, there is the title Christmas Calvinist (NO-EL)... or 'confused'.

Funny! Never heard that one. :thumbsup:

 

[glazer1972]

I don't like the label calvinist or reformed for I am neither.

However, I agree with all five points of the doctrines of grace because I believe that the Bible teaches that all five are true.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Whatever you are... you are focused on you for many of your posts. Whether it is another trendy book you've read, your WOTM approach, or this... you tend to focus on you a lot.

You noticed that too, eh?