POLL For Calvinists re: Salvation of Non Calvinists

i'm baffled that one person actually believed you had to be a Calvinist to be saved. It isn't our view of election that saves us- it is our acceptance of Christ. I agree with Spurgeon that no person who enters heavens gate and meets Christ will remain an anti-Calvinist, but I was saved before I had made up my mind one way or the other, and since a person cannot lose their salvation, my later Biblical understanding of election has no bearing on my salvation.

 

It WAS ME !!! I'm thought of the evil one around here anyway so I might as well take the blame!!

not! ....

 

seriously, i'd like for the calvinist (or Arminian) that clicked the second option to post WHY you believe this is the case as I surely would like to know.

 

maybe if you keep polling us you'll get a good grasp on what we believe?

 

Calvinism is simply a Explanation of the Gospel. I believe it is a accurate definition. To make holding to Calvinism a requirement for Salvation is however dangerous. I know of no TRUE Calvinist that believes holding to TULIP to be a requirement for salvation. God has used both Calvinists and Arminians in his Kingdom work and continues to use them whether it be Arminians like Billy Graham, Franklin Graham or Calvinists like D. James Kennedy, John MacArthur.

God used Arminians such as Menno Simmons, John Smyth and Thomas Helwys to bring a Revival of the Doctrine of a Believer's Church that eventually led to the birth of the Baptist movement.

God used Calvinists such men as William Kiffin, Benjamin Keath. to solidify and systemize Baptist theology.

God used Arminians such as John Wesley and Charles Wesley to bring many souls to Christ. How indepted are we to Charles Wesley, whose hymns still touch us today!

God used Calvinists such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield to bring a great Revival in America in the 1700's to bring many souls to Christ.

God used Calvinists such as William Carey to begin modern day World Missions.

I think it is sad however in the current Calvinist vs. Arminian debate, to demonize those we disagree with. Both Calvinist and Arminians have at times been guilty of distorting one anothers beliefs to the point that it seems we are implying the other is not a Christian.

 

Hey Diane,

There are a lot of things I don't know, but I don't know any Calvinists who believe that only Calvinists are saved. If I may ask, why did you think we all believed that?

 

I am certain the person who voted that way is not a Calvinist but voted that way, dishonestly, to give the impression there are Calvinists here who think that way.

For some reason honestly seems always to be the first casualty of this type of discussion. </font>[/QUOTE]How are you certain? Wouldn't a better word have been "suspect"?

 

You wrote that you were saved before you made up your mind one way or the other. Yet you wrote this:

http://www.pre-evangelism.com/articles/testimonies/dan_testimony.htm

You chose to believe your dad when he preached about Hell, and you chose to seek the Gospel and to believe the Gospel, which is the exact opposite of what Christ warned in John 12:48. Hense you got saved (Isa. 66:2; Rom. 1:16; 10:17).

Or is your testimony wrong?

 

The bible is clear about salvation. It is of God and requires simply that we believe in His Son. Theology is not something that God requires a person to understand to be saved.

That being said, the person who is saved is as a newborn babe and hopefully desires the sincere milk of the word. Topics such as Calvinism and Arminianism are not touched until one is mature enough to be delving into the meat of the word. Not a requirement for salvation, but a definite sign of spiritual growth to come to a stance on this and other issues.

Of course there are many who believe according to Arminian doctrine that are saved. Many who believe according to Calvinist doctrine are saved. Many Pre-Millenialists are saved as well as Post-Millenialists.

Let us never give the impression that a person is unsaved just because they hold to a different view than us on these points. All that is required is that the person comes to the realization that they are a sinner in desparate need of a savior and they put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Oh, and give themselves completely to Him, of course. Praise God for such a simplicity that even a child can understand the essentials.

 

Come on Fess up. Whos the 1 person who believes that someone who doesn't believe in calvinism is not saved.

 

http://www.pre-evangelism.com/articles/testimonies/dan_testimony.htm

You chose to believe your dad when he preached about Hell, and you chose to seek the Gospel and to believe the Gospel, which is the exact opposite of what Christ warned in John 12:48. Hense you got saved (Isa. 66:2; Rom. 1:16; 10:17).

Or is your testimony wrong? </font>[/QUOTE]I mentioned nothing about understanding Calvinism in my testimony. I understood the gospel and excersized my will to accept it. How is that a contradiction to saying I hadn't made up my mind to whether I was a Calvinist or Arminian up to that point? Calvinists believe a willful acceptance of the gospel brings about salvation- but acknowledge that this comes by the Holy Spirit opening our eyes. I did not understand the doctrines of grace, but I DID understand that I was a sinner in need of a savior. Perhaps you mistook the 'concepts' i was grasping at 5 for the doctrines of grace? No. the concepts were the understanding of my own sin and need of Christ to save me from it. I did not make up my mind about the doctrines of grace until 17 years later.

In Christ,

Dan

 

Then Calvinism cannot be true if "whosoever believeth in Him" is just as saved as those who were "predestined by election" to be saved.

 

Then Calvinism cannot be true if "whosoever believeth in Him" is just as saved as those who were "predestined by election" to be saved. </font>[/QUOTE]Do you know what a non-sequitur is? The "whosoever believeth in Him" group is identical to the "'predestined by election' to be saved" group. Every person in one group is also in the other group. Your statement is a non-sequitur.

 

Then Calvinism cannot be true if "whosoever believeth in Him" is just as saved as those who were "predestined by election" to be saved. </font>[/QUOTE]Do you know what a non-sequitur is? The "whosoever believeth in Him" group is identical to the "'predestined by election' to be saved" group. Every person in one group is also in the other group. Your statement is a non-sequitur. </font>[/QUOTE]Then what is the purpose for "the doctrine of election"? If all who believe are the elect from the foundation of the world, why dwell on a doctrine that says only those who are believers are the elect? Are there any who are not believers that are the elect?

 

Whetstone

Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?

PS ... I read your testimony
... do you really base your faith upon your ability to argue for the faith?

[ April 09, 2005, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: El_Guero ]

 

I can't imagine someone who would say that one has to be a Calvinist to be saved. That is silly.

Wes asks about the purpose for election. The answer is simple ... so that people will be saved. Without election, everyone would freely reject Christ and go to hell.

 

How can you know that Larry?
Isn't what you state simply your opinion based on Calvinism?