Let's suppose Calvinism is true...then why don't all Christians believe it?

[Skandelon]

Let's suppose Calvinism is true. Why do many believers in Christ not affirm the Calvinistic soteriology? Great people of God like John Wesley, CS Lewis, Mother Teresa and many others rejected Calvinistic teaching and I'm asking why that is. If God's regeneration can irresistibly bring an individual to belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then why does it often fall short in bringing them all to a consistent understanding of how God saves?

In other words, why do some believers in Christ affirm Calvinistic doctrine while other do not? In my estimation there can only be three possible answers assuming that the Calvinistic dogma is true:

1. Calvinists are just smarter, wiser, more educated, or something which may give them cause to boast.
2. God elected some of the elect to be Calvinistic while passing by all the rest of us "lessor children of God.
3. God does irresistibly draw all true believers and those who reject Calvinism are not real Christians.

Which answer is correct and why?

 

[David Michael Harris]

It's the first one of course.

I am thinking of changing my signature to I don't know.

 

[Skandelon]

It's the first one of course.

Why, do you suppose?

 

[David Michael Harris]

Why, do you suppose?

I have said before, I think that Calvinists jump ahead.

Christianity is live, we need to preach the Gospel and live as we are told.

It's not over till the fat lady sings, no that's not Scripture.

We can do well as Christians and bring His blessing.

I really care for the lost, if only I could be used to help save some.

 

[David Michael Harris]

The Lord prayed that we might be one? Guess that prayer went unanswered.

 

[pinoybaptist]

That question can be asked the other way around as well:

Let's suppose Arminianism is true, then why aren't all Christians Arminians ?

 

[Skandelon]

That question can be asked the other way around as well:

Let's suppose Arminianism is true, then why aren't all Christians Arminians ?

Because we affirm the free will of man and each individual makes his decision freely. What is your answer?

 

[pinoybaptist]

Because we affirm the free will of man and each individual makes his decision freely. What is your answer?

And that's why not all Christians are Arminians ?
Some answer.

 

[Grasshopper]

Let's suppose Calvinism is true. Why do many believers in Christ not affirm the Calvinistic soteriology? Great people of God like John Wesley, CS Lewis, Mother Teresa and many others rejected Calvinistic teaching and I'm asking why that is. If God's regeneration can irresistibly bring an individual to belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then why does it often fall short in bringing them all to a consistent understanding of how God saves?

In other words, why do some believers in Christ affirm Calvinistic doctrine while other do not? In my estimation there can only be three possible answers assuming that the Calvinistic dogma is true:

1. Calvinists are just smarter, wiser, more educated, or something which may give them cause to boast.
2. God elected some of the elect to be Calvinistic while passing by all the rest of us "lessor children of God.
3. God does irresistibly draw all true believers and those who reject Calvinism are not real Christians.

Which answer is correct and why?

I'm not sure, there are alot of candidates but this might be the dumbest post I've ever seen. With that in mind, I vote #1.

 

[Martin]

Let's suppose Calvinism is true. Why do many believers in Christ not affirm the Calvinistic soteriology?

==That some professing Christians reject any doctrine does not make it true or false. Truth is determined by God's Word, not by how many Christians accept or reject it. It is up to us, as Christians, to search the Scriptures and learn from our searching. As humans we will fall short in so many ways, thus sometimes we either overlook, ignore, or push away some teachings for different reasons.

Great people of God like John Wesley, CS Lewis, Mother Teresa and many others rejected Calvinistic teaching and I'm asking why that is.

==Truth is not determined by how many people, great or small, believe it. I could rattle off plenty of great men of God who were Calvinists. In fact, I could turn your logic back on yourself and ask why, if Calvinism is false, do so many great men of God believe(ed) it and why were so many great moments in Church History centered around those who were openly Calvinist. Truth is determined by the Word of God, not by votes.

If God's regeneration can irresistibly bring an individual to belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then why does it often fall short in bringing them all to a consistent understanding of how God saves?

==While effectual calling is certainly Scriptural (Jn 6:37), the idea of God granting perfect knowledge to Christians is not. God does not "irresistibly bring an individual to" understand truth. He has commanded us to search the Scripture and be students of His Word.

In other words, why do some believers in Christ affirm Calvinistic doctrine while other do not?

==I suppose for the same reason some Christians practice baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion (etc). As Christians we are not perfect or sinless. Our "humanness" can sometimes get in the way. That is why there are many things Christians don't agree on.

1. Calvinists are just smarter, wiser, more educated, or something which may give them cause to boast.

==This is not true and it is contrary to Calvinistic teaching.

2. God elected some of the elect to be Calvinistic while passing by all the rest of us "lessor children of God.

==Nope.

3. God does irresistibly draw all true believers and those who reject Calvinism are not real Christians.

==Wrong again.

Which answer is correct and why?

==See above.

 

[bookman]

The answer is very simple: Total Depravity.

 

[David Michael Harris]

The answer is very simple: Total Depravity.

But for the Grace of God.

 

[OldRegular]

Let's suppose Calvinism is true. Why do many believers in Christ not affirm the Calvinistic soteriology? Great people of God like John Wesley, CS Lewis, Mother Teresa and many others rejected Calvinistic teaching and I'm asking why that is. If God's regeneration can irresistibly bring an individual to belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then why does it often fall short in bringing them all to a consistent understanding of how God saves?

In other words, why do some believers in Christ affirm Calvinistic doctrine while other do not? In my estimation there can only be three possible answers assuming that the Calvinistic dogma is true:

1. Calvinists are just smarter, wiser, more educated, or something which may give them cause to boast.
2. God elected some of the elect to be Calvinistic while passing by all the rest of us "lessor children of God.
3. God does irresistibly draw all true believers and those who reject Calvinism are not real Christians.

Which answer is correct and why?

Neither answer is true. You will have to do better than that Skandelon!:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[zrs6v4]

I think Calvinism is true because it is old.

 

[Joseph M. Smith]

Not all Christians are Calvinists because they/we come from a variety of traditions, some of which do not focus on election, some of which root salvation in a particular institutional church, and some of which are individualistic. Even if you grant that Calvinism is true (whose Calvinism, by the way, and what variant?) we have to understand that people do not always affirm what is logical, demonstrable, or even what is best for them. Lots of factors enter into faith affirmations.

 

[Amy.G]

From a Calvinists perspective, why do you think some (like me) do not believe in the doctrines of Calvin? I'm a Christian. I have the Holy Spirit residing in me. I love the scriptures and believe with my whole heart they are the very words of God.

So, why do I reject the TULIP? In your opinion. Don't hold back. I can take it.

 

[pinoybaptist]

From a Calvinists perspective, why do you think some (like me) do not believe in the doctrines of Calvin? I'm a Christian. I have the Holy Spirit residing in me. I love the scriptures and believe with my whole heart they are the very words of God.

So, why do I reject the TULIP? In your opinion. Don't hold back. I can take it.

If you're asking me, Amy.G, then I won't even begin to answer.
I respect you too much, and love you too much in Christ, I refuse to "fight" with you.
I'll just lay down and give you my throat.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Amy.G]

If you're asking me, Amy.G, then I won't even begin to answer.
I respect you too much, and love you too much in Christ, I refuse to "fight" with you.
I'll just lay down and give you my throat.:smilewinkgrin:

Aw, you are too sweet. :wavey:

:1_grouphug:

 

[Skandelon]

Neither answer is true. You will have to do better than that Skandelon!:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Then enlighten us oh wise one.

 

[David Michael Harris]

On a more cheerful note.

A tune to lift our poor spirits.

http://www.holyfear.net/?p=417

That's the view from my bedroom window btw.