Calvinism and Marriage

[FR7 Baptist]

Is anyone married to someone on the other side of this important and divisive issue? I'm not married, so this doesn't affect me. The reason I ask is because my pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mac Brunson, is not a Calvinist, but his wife is.

 

[annsni]

Honestly, it doesn't matter what you believe (C vs. A) because it is not going to change the way you act, is it? If a spouse is viral on the issue then it can be a problem but I don't think having some differences in theology like this really matter unless it affects the actions.

Hubby and I were married as free willers but came to the doctrines of grace later in life but we both came to that point around the same time. We had a lot of interesting discussions along the way!

 

[Benjamin]

The reason I ask is because my pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mac Brunson, is not a Calvinist, but his wife is.

Man, she must be hot - and a good cook! All I got to say...

:laugh:

 

[OldRegular]

And "the little woman" shall lead him.

 

[Jerome]

Billy Graham's wife was a Presbyterian all her life.
Had her children sprinkled too.

 

[OldRegular]

Billy Graham's wife was a Presbyterian all her life.
Had her children sprinkled too.

If she believed the Doctrine of Grace, and many Presbyterians no longer do, it is too bad it did not rub off on her husband.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Billy Graham's wife was a Presbyterian all her life.
Had her children sprinkled too.

I found this too humorous :laugh: because I have always felt that Billy Graham was 2 things:

1.) The greatest evangelist of the 20th Century
2.) It's worst Theologian

It reminded me of a quote I once read that always stuck with me: I wish I remembered the source....
"Have you ever met a Theologian who could preach, or an Evangelist who could read and write." :laugh:

 

[Van]

I firmly believe God gave us the Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. How else can we explain so many lives changed using the same sermon.

Second many many Calvinists lead Christ centered lives, and like JOJ avoid waving red flags toward the lost in order to save some.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

I firmly believe God gave us the Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. How else can we explain so many lives changed using the same sermon.

Second many many Calvinists lead Christ centered lives, and like JOJ avoid waving red flags toward the lost in order to save some.

Of course he did. Dr. Billy Graham is arguably the greatest evangelist of the 20th Century.

 

[OldRegular]

I firmly believe God gave us the Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. How else can we explain so many lives changed using the same sermon.

Second many many Calvinists lead Christ centered lives, and like JOJ avoid waving red flags toward the lost in order to save some.

Not to throw a clod in the churn but how many of those responding were truly converted?

 

[annsni]

Not to throw a clod in the churn but how many of those responding were truly converted?

I know quite a few!!

 

[matt wade]

Is anyone married to someone on the other side of this important and divisive issue? I'm not married, so this doesn't affect me. The reason I ask is because my pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mac Brunson, is not a Calvinist, but his wife is.

I would consider that a marriage that is unequally yoked.

 

[Herald]

My wife did not believe in the DoG when after I embraced them. The interesting thing is that our differing convictions lead to some very good conversations. She rescued me from the "cage stage" (that period of time when a new belief is all a person can think or talk about). I'm thankful that she admonished me to proceed deliberately in my theological journey. It saved me from a lot of pain I would otherwise have endured. Today she is a theological Calvinist, albeit grudgingly so. I'm now extending to her the same grace and understanding she extended to me.

 

[AresMan]

I would probably be considered a Calvinist.
My wife is an Open Theist (more so than Van and humblethinker).

We have one of the most loving relationships I have ever seen or experienced.

 

[DiamondLady]

Not to throw a clod in the churn but how many of those responding were truly converted?

I do not believe it is our responsiblity to question this. God used Dr Graham over the years to lead countless souls to Christ. I'm sure many "conversions" over the years in various settings, not limited to Dr. Graham's crusades, were not true conversions. People respond out of emotions and for other various reasons. The fact remains that Billy Graham served God. We may, or may not, agree with his theology or methods. To me it's the same as a preacher who uses the NIV instead of the KJV. I prefer one over the other, but I don't believe GOD is limited by my preference. HE can use both to bring people to salvation.

 

[Cypress]

I would probably be considered a Calvinist.
My wife is an Open Theist (more so than Van and humblethinker).

We have one of the most loving relationships I have ever seen or experienced.

Nice to hear that Ares.:love2::thumbs: Journey on!!!!

 

[preachinjesus]

Those who can't find room to fellowship with other believers who differ on things like Reformed vs. non-Reformed are often too focused on being right than living graciously.

Honestly, if we've alllowed grace to penetrate our lives we see these issues as important but not worth spoiling relationships over.

It isn't being "unequally yoked" with someone, these are just different viewpoints. Even in the divergent theological positions mentioned above there is more we have in common than what separates us.

 

[OldRegular]

I do not believe it is our responsiblity to question this.

I suppose it depends on whether you believe salvation is an act of God or an act of man.

God used Dr Graham over the years to lead countless souls to Christ. I'm sure many "conversions" over the years in various settings, not limited to Dr. Graham's crusades, were not true conversions. People respond out of emotions and for other various reasons. The fact remains that Billy Graham served God. We may, or may not, agree with his theology or methods. To me it's the same as a preacher who uses the NIV instead of the KJV. I prefer one over the other, but I don't believe GOD is limited by my preference. HE can use both to bring people to salvation.

There was a time, many years ago, when I enjoyed listening to Billy Graham. it seemed to me that the older he got the more liberal he got!

 

[HeirofSalvation]

I suppose it depends on whether you believe salvation is an act of God or an act of man.

It is not that simple: Diamond Lady is very right on this...If God can speak through a jack-ass, he can speak through a great evangelist such as Billy Graham.

it seemed to me that the older he got the more liberal he got!

I think that is because he has. I find it very unfortunate, but I give him his due for how God has used him in the past.

 

[DiamondLady]

I suppose it depends on whether you believe salvation is an act of God or an act of man.

There was a time, many years ago, when I enjoyed listening to Billy Graham. it seemed to me that the older he got the more liberal he got!

It doesn't have a thing to do with that OR....it has to do with we're not the judge of the truth of someone else's salvation...GOD is. We can see the fruit, if it's there, but even when people are truly saved there's not always a great deal of fruit if they stay infants in the Lord and do not grow.

I know plenty of people who were saved but because of the calls of the world quickly drift away from the church and back into the world. If the church does not stay faithful in trying to bring them back in soon you can't tell if they're Christians or not. Doesn't mean their salvation experience wasn't real though. Our daughter is one of those people. Thank the Lord after many hours spent in prayer for her she has returned to the Lord, was baptized and has become active in her church, growing in the Lord. But what if we hadn't constantly prayed for her? What if she'd never returned to the church, started reading her Bible? Would she be any less saved?

I do agree that the older Dr Graham got the more liberal he became, but that doesn't negate the years of faithful work He's given to God and the blessings his ministry has brought to the world over the years.