Calvinist Example

[drfuss]

I am not a Calvinists nor am I interesting in a debate.

On another forum, a Calvinist gave his view of Calvinism by the following example: All mankind is like fish in the ocean. God elects to take some fish (the elect) out of the ocean and put them in a closed in lake (salvation). Within the lake, the fish (the elect) can act on any of their choices except to get out of the lake (stop believing).

Does this represent most Calvinist's view?

If not, what is different?

 

[Iconoclast]

Within the lake, the fish (the elect) can act on any of their choices except to get out of the lake (stop believing).

16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God

We are free from sins bondage,but we are not free to act contrary to God's revealed will- The 10 commandments and the commands of scripture.

God elects to take some fish (the elect) out of the ocean and put them in a closed in lake (salvation).

The person was trying to give an illustration and most illustrations break down at some point.
Here we are told the elect are placed in a pristine lake....in scripture God leaves us in the midst of a fallen world system ,to be lights in the world and reach other lost sheep. Both grow together until the harvest.

The illustration does not allow for the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Better to stick with the biblical language and work through the difficulties some might have with it.

 

[pinoybaptist]

The whole of mankind is a pile of debris, unclean, filthy, and ready to be disposed of in the lake of fire at the Creator's choosing.
For no reason other than His own will He separated the elect whom He foreknew from the foundation of the world to conform them to the image of His only begotten Son in a future world He is going to create free from sin and filth.
He sent His own son to dress up like the filth and to cleanse them from their filth with His own blood.

 

[Van]

Reply to Drfuss

I too am definitely not a Calvinist, but I do share the belief illustrated in your opening post.

But let add a little meat to the bones of the illustration. (And this added part is my view and might not reflect the view of Calvinists.

All mankind, like fish in the ocean, is isolated in a separated from God sinful state. Nothing we can do will get us out of the ocean, because whatever we do, it is all fishy, smelly and like a dirty filthy rag.

God did elect or choose to take some fish out of the ocean, even before He created the ocean, He had chosen His "Fisher of Men-fish".

But God did not elect to take foreseen fish, He elected instead to take the ones who trust in His Fisher of Men-fish when He accepts there is nothing fishy about the trust, it is from the heart. When He transfers the men-fish He chooses from the realm of the dark sinful ocean and puts them into Kingdom Lake, He changes them such that become new men-fish, unable to stop trusting in the Fisher of Men, but still able to follow old habits of sinful behavior.

But in this new lake, because they are changed, they can hear God's voice telling them they are swimming where they shouldn't, where hooks are dangling, and that fisherman wants to devour them. But if they listen and learn, they will grow more mature and become more like the Fisher of Men-fish. And they will earn rewards, so that one day the Fisher of Men-fish will say welcome home faithful servant.

 

[Baptist4life]

I too am definitely not a Calvinist, but I do share the belief illustrated in your opening post.

But let add a little meat to the bones of the illustration. (And this added part is my view and might not reflect the view of Calvinists.

All mankind, like fish in the ocean, is isolated in a separated from God sinful state. Nothing we can do will get us out of the ocean, because whatever we do, it is all fishy, smelly and like a dirty filthy rag.

God did elect or choose to take some fish out of the ocean, even before He created the ocean, He had chosen His "Fisher of Men-fish".

But God did not elect to take foreseen fish, He elected instead to take the ones who trust in His Fisher of Men-fish when He accepts there is nothing fishy about the trust, it is from the heart. When He transfers the men-fish He chooses from the realm of the dark sinful ocean and puts them into Kingdom Lake, He changes them such that become new men-fish, unable to stop trusting in the Fisher of Men, but still able to follow old habits of sinful behavior.

But in this new lake, because they are changed, they can hear God's voice telling them they are swimming where they shouldn't, where hooks are dangling, and that fisherman wants to devour them. But if they listen and learn, they will grow more mature and become more like the Fisher of Men-fish. And they will earn rewards, so that one day the Fisher of Men-fish will say welcome home faithful servant.

:applause::applause:

 

[Luke2427]

I am not a Calvinists nor am I interesting in a debate.

Well, at least you admit it!:laugh:

Just kidding!!:thumbs:

God bless.