How did you arrive at Calvinism?

[S0l0m0n]

Other than Bible, single biggest contribution was when read Martin Luther on the Bondage of the Will!

I've been meaning to look into this major work of Luther's.
Many people play down the similarities between Luther and what is labeled as Calvinist theology. It's very interesting then that you could potentially say that Luther led you to Calvinism.

 

[Van]

Van arrived at Calvinism by trying to post against Calvinism, only to become it's greatest ally.
Wait, that's not true?
And he's just arguing an irrelevant point, like all the other 'free-will' individuals trying derail the thread?

Folks, when advocates avoid the topic and demean their opponent, they are waving the white flag of surrender.

 

[S0l0m0n]

Folks, when advocates avoid the topic and demean their opponent, they are waving the white flag of surrender.

Van is right. He is avoiding the subject of how he arrived at Calvinism.
Which is the topic of the thread, right?
You can confess to us, Van. We will accept your secret Calvinism here.

 

[Van]

Van is right. He is avoiding the subject of how he arrived at Calvinism.
Which is the topic of the thread, right?
You can confess to us, Van. We will accept your secret Calvinism here.

My problem is when I tried to find actual support for the TULI, I could not find it. All the Calvinists say they did, but when asked about specifics, we get deflection.

For example, "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" can be found at Ephesians 1:4. But what does the phrase "in Him" mean. God chose us as foreseen individuals and placed us into Christ? Others respond God chose us as foreseen individuals to be placed in Christ. A third view is God chose us as foreseen individuals that are now existent individuals who are actually in Him.

Will someone explain what the "in Him" means, and will all the other Calvinists say that is what they found too? Tick Tock

 

[S0l0m0n]

I don't mind jokes, sarcasm, or friendly disagreement. Yet the following posts have nothing to do with subject of this thread other than to stir up controversy. They have such a weird spirit about them; I'm convinced they are driven to speak evil against the truth.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.​

Isn't the only true answer:

"God predestined me to be a Calvinist?"

"I was at the brink of suicide, but God caused me to just read the Bible."

Typical "Rock-Bottom Convert". Expects everyone else to go through just as worse and be just as worse.

So vanity and pride insists everyone else must be as depraved as they are.

Oops...

About every year we are treated to this claim, I "found" Calvinism (TULIP doctrines) in scripture and was not indoctrinated so as to read the doctrines into the text.

My problem is when I tried to find actual support for the TULI, I could not find it. All the Calvinists say they did, but when asked about specifics, we get deflection.

For example, "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" can be found at Ephesians 1:4. But what does the phrase "in Him" mean. God chose us as foreseen individuals and placed us into Christ? Others respond God chose us as foreseen individuals to be placed in Christ. A third view is God chose us as foreseen individuals that are now existent individuals who are actually in Him.

Will someone explain what the "in Him" means, and will all the other Calvinists say that is what they found too?

 

[S0l0m0n]

This is the trouble with this entire 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' forum.
It is anti-Calvinist. (Actually the entire forum is itself.)
For instance: if I were to post this thread in the forum 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study', where it actually belongs, do you think it would have been able to stay?
Not a chance. The 'free-will' individuals would come in for no reason other than to stir up trouble (as they have), endlessly provoke arguments (as they have), and the thread would have been shoved into the 'debate' forum, where we are now.

This thread is not meant as a debate, but a place for edification.
Such a place does not exist in these forums for the Calvinist.

 

[tyndale1946]

Folks, when advocates avoid the topic and demean their opponent, they are waving the white flag of surrender.

It's really bothering you isn't it Van... This Old Line Sovereign Grace Baptist brother that believes in Calvinism has been on the BB a very very long time... These new brethren don't know you but I do... I have been watching your interaction with agedman and how you demean what he is telling you... I joined in the conversation on election and you had to have your agenda, so you demeaned me too... If it's not according to Van its not true... Quit throwing your weight around on here... Allow other brethren to express their views... If you don't agree with how I see scripture fine... I can live with that but each of us have the right to express how we understand scripture, without being assaulted about how we interpret what we study, read and understand... SURRENDER!... I have not surrendered Van I'm just ignoring you... And I'm just saying if you keep it up you maybe talking to yourself... Brother Glen

 

[tyndale1946]

I don't mind jokes, sarcasm, or friendly disagreement. Yet the following posts have nothing to do with subject of this thread other than to stir up controversy. They have such a weird spirit about them; I'm convinced they are driven to speak evil against the truth.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.​

AMEN!... Brother Glen

 

[Van]

It's really bothering you isn't it Van... This Old Line Sovereign Grace Baptist brother that believes in Calvinism has been on the BB a very very long time... These new brethren don't know you but I do... I have been watching your interaction with agedman and how you demean what he is telling you... I joined in the conversation on election and you had to have your agenda, so you demeaned me too... If it's not according to Van its not true... Quit throwing your weight around on here... Allow other brethren to express their views... If you don't agree with how I see scripture fine... I can live with that but each of us have the right to express how we understand scripture, without being assaulted about how we interpret what we study, read and understand... SURRENDER!... I have not surrendered Van I'm just ignoring you... And I'm just saying if you keep it up you maybe talking to yourself... Brother Glen

Once again we have a post disparaging me. Did he provide a quote where I demeaned Agedman? No, I demeaned the absurd, nonsensical efforts to support Calvinism from scripture.

Did he provide a quote or reference to where I demeaned him? Nope.
Is my position, if it is not according to Van it is not true? Again no quote or reference will be provided.
To claim a Calvinist view should not be challenged, because Calvinists have a right to their view is absurd.
Did Jesus not challenge the mistaken views of the Pharisees? We are to defend the gospel, which requires to expose false teachings.
I asked about one verse, Ephesians 1:4. For example, "chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" can be found at Ephesians 1:4. But what does the phrase "in Him" mean. God chose us as foreseen individuals and placed us into Christ? Others respond God chose us as foreseen individuals to be placed in Christ. A third view is God chose us as foreseen individuals that are now existent individuals who are actually in Him. A fourth view is that Christ is the first “Elect” of God, and that our corporate election is contained in His individual election. Subsequently of course we are individually chosen through faith in the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Will someone explain what the "in Him" means, and will all the other Calvinists say that is what they found too?

 

[S0l0m0n]

Will someone explain what the "in Him" means, and will all the other Calvinists say that is what they found too?

This individual cannot understand the concept of a subject thread, and interrupts everyone else demanding an answer to an out of place question; which is purposely done to instigate an argument.

Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.​

 

[S0l0m0n]

AMEN!... Brother Glen

That's comforting to hear, when the wolves won't stop.
(A fellow believer in the struggle.)

 

[Van]

This individual cannot understand the concept of a subject thread, and interrupts everyone else demanding an answer to an out of place question; which is purposely done to instigate an argument.

Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.​

Yet another non-answer, and another ad hominem. See the white flag of surrender being waved.

As the Calvinists were finding Calvinism, did they discern what "in Him" meant in Ephesians 1:4?
See post #69 for some possibilities.

 

[Jerome]

I've been Sovereign Grace and embraced TULIP for over 50 years.

I didn't arrive at Calvinism, I was brought up in it... I started going with my folks and family at the age of seven when they joined the church... I sat under this doctrine and heard the true doctrine of Sovereign Grace, preached from the KJV and joined the saints of God at the age of 22, and never looked back.

What a testimony!

This one too:

I...joined the church at the age of 22 in 1968 and was baptised. I started devouring Bible and reading the writings and sermons of some of our esteemed preachers... A lot of dead ones... Still at heart I was an Arminian

I went to Calvanism kicking and screaming from Arminianism... I fought it all the way...[until] the scales fell from my darkened eyes....I have been released from my Arminian bondage...and only hope I can help my Arminian brethren from theirs

 

[Walpole]

The paradox between this thread and the one adjacent to it is quite telling. According to the Calvinists in the other thread, this thread is seemingly illogical, as no Calvinist arrived at it, but rather was compelled ("forcibly drag") to it.

 

[S0l0m0n]

The paradox between this thread and the one adjacent to it is quite telling. According to the Calvinists in the other thread, this thread is seemingly illogical, as no Calvinist arrived at it, but rather was compelled ("forcibly drag") to it.

Irresistible grace is true; yet the intellect of an individual does not grasp everything.

(I have a feeling this does not answer anything and more instigation is to come.)

 

[Walpole]

Irresistible grace is true; yet the intellect of an individual does not grasp everything.

(I have a feeling this does not answer anything and more instigation is to come.)

If irresistible grace is true, then Judas Iscariot must be the doctrine's patron saint. For he not only resisted grace, but he resisted He who is the source of all grace.

 

[Particular]

Folks, when advocates avoid the topic and demean their opponent, they are waving the white flag of surrender.

I see your white flag van! Or perhaps it's black flag...

 

[S0l0m0n]

If irresistible grace is true, then Judas Iscariot must be the doctrine's patron saint. For he not only resisted grace, but he resisted He who is the source of all grace.

And I was correct. The instigation continues.

Please start a new thread with such questions.

Because this is: 'How did you arrive at Calvinism?'

 

[S0l0m0n]

Yet another non-answer, and another ad hominem. See the white flag of surrender being waved.

As the Calvinists were finding Calvinism, did they discern what "in Him" meant in Ephesians 1:4?
See post #69 for some possibilities.

Please start a new thread.

Because this is: 'How did you arrive at Calvinism?'

 

[Scott Downey]

Yet another non-answer, and another ad hominem. See the white flag of surrender being waved.

As the Calvinists were finding Calvinism, did they discern what "in Him" meant in Ephesians 1:4?
See post #69 for some possibilities.

God chose us in Him , so this verse is saying you are in Christ because of Him, that is God and obviously that has to do with salvation.

Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Because of God's choosing, a person is in Christ. It is not the other way round, just like 1 Corinthians 1 says in the paragraph about God's choosing us so that no flesh can glory.

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many [l]noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”