Questions about calvinism

[Dr. L.T. Ketchum]

I am reading your article, and it alludes to a theory that I have had for years. You say that God has foreknowledge of everything past and future.

I have often wondered if God has created everything, then that includes the concept of time. If He created time, then He is certainly not confined by it. It has been my theory that God knows the future because He is already there.

But just because He is there and already knows the decisions that I will make, I in no way believe that changes my free will to make those decisions. Its still up to me. I think that time is a concept that confines man during his lifetime, but in no way restricts God. Time only affects us.

I am not saying that I am right on this, but it is my theory.

AJ

I think you got it right Brother.

God stands outside of time, space, and matter.

He is both transcendental and immanent.

He sees the end from the beginning and knows all things actual and possible.

 

[Martin]

Did Christ die for the sins of the WHOLE world or just the sins of the elect? Did God "so love the WORLD" or just the elect? Is it "whosoever calls on the name of the Lord" or just the elect? What about "not willing that ANY should perish?" No, I don't understand or believe in Calvinism! Thank God!

Your questions show that you don't understand Calvinism. Maybe you could spend some time educating yourself on something before you set out to condemn it or celebrate your lack of knowledge?

 

[Martin]

I met some Baptist Calvinists and they were very gloomy and seemed to cast doubt on my salvation because I wasnt one of them, so I thought I would ask here on the board for more information.

==I am sorry that you have had those experiences. I suppose there are gloomy gusses in every group.

I am NOT interested in becoming a Calvinist

==That's fine, but we should all seek to know the Word of God better (either way). Calvinism is not an issue of fellowship.

Well, I appreciate your input on this, I think I will read some of Bro Cloud's teachings on Way of Life Literature and see what he says about it. I am IFB and tend to agree with most of his teachings.

 

[PK]

Your questions show that you don't understand Calvinism. Maybe you could spend some time educating yourself on something before you set out to condemn it or celebrate your lack of knowledge?

Don't waste your time. stick to "all" means "all"...

 

[PK]

Bro. Cloud is as cloudy on Calvinism as he is on the subject of Bible translations. IOW, there are better sources out there.

Told you that they would try to run you away from Cloud....

 

[Martin]

I think you got it right Brother.

God stands outside of time, space, and matter.

He is both transcendental and immanent.

He sees the end from the beginning and knows all things actual and possible.

==Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things or do you believe He is a by-standard that watches and knows but does not control?

 

[Martin]

Don't waste your time. stick to "all" means "all"...

==Since I have no idea what you are talking about I can't respond in a meaningful fashion.

 

[Dr. L.T. Ketchum]

==Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things or do you believe He is a by-standard that watches and knows but does not control?

Sovereignty:What Does it Mean

 

[here now]

Boy, I am really depressed now. I wish I hadnt of started this thread now.

I sure hope you Calvinists are wrong and God hears my cry for mercy and forgiveness. I hope He hears everyone that asks for mercy and forgiveness.

AJ

Hi ajg1959,

Rest assured if one is earnestly asking for mercy and forgiveness and one believes in Jesus Christ, then he is elect.....plain and simple.

People that are not elect have absolutely NO desire for salvation.

 

[Martin]

Sovereignty:What Does it Mean

I don't view that as an answer to my question. I asked you, Dr. L.T. Ketchum, the question. I can read articles on the internet anytime. I asked you the question, will you answer?

Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things or do you believe He is a by-standard that watches and knows but does not control?

 

[here now]

Told you that they would try to run you away from Cloud....

The way you are trying to run ajg away from calvinism, hmmmm....

 

[Dr. L.T. Ketchum]

I don't view that as an answer to my question. I asked you, Dr. L.T. Ketchum, the question. I can read articles on the internet anytime. I asked you the question, will you answer?

Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things or do you believe He is a by-standard that watches and knows but does not control?

It is my article. Therefore, your question is already answered if you read the article.

I have already said, " He is both transcendental and immanent."

 

[Rippon]

I don't view that as an answer to my question. I asked you, Dr. L.T. Ketchum, the question. I can read articles on the internet anytime. I asked you the question, will you answer?

Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things or do you believe He is a by-stander that watches and knows but does not control?

IOW, Dr.K, did God only get "the memo"? ( Not that I am alluding to a famous thread of mine or anything

 

[Martin]

It is my article. Therefore, your question is already answered if you read the article.

I have already said, " He is both transcendental and immanent."

I know that it is your article. I am not asking you to send me to a website like I am your student or something. I am not asking you to direct me to a book or other resource. I am asking you to answer my question directly, on this forum. The question should be very simple. Either you believe God is in control of His creation or you don't. Either you believe God is sovereign or you believe that God is at the mercy of His creation. Which is it? Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of His creation or do you believe He watches and knows but does not control?

 

[canadyjd]

ajg1959

You seem to have a sincere desire to understand "calvinism". The best thing to do, IMHO, is to study the scripture texts in depth.

When I was "saved", I really had very little understanding of scripture. I had not heard of "calvinism" or "armininism" or "dispensationalism" or any of the other "ism's".

As I studied on my own, I came believe certain things about salvation.

1. Salvation is completely a work of God.

2. Men/women are completely unable to come to God unless God intervenes in his/her life.

3. God, and God alone, chooses whom He will call to Himself for salvation. These people are His "chosen" ones, i.e. "the elect"

4. Salvation always transforms a person's life.

5. Some people will make false professions of faith/and are not saved.

6. The proof of salvation is not a profession of faith, but a transformed life that perseveres until death.

There were other things. The point is that I came to believe scripture clearly taught many of these "doctrines" long before I heard the word "calvinism".

But just because He is there and already knows the decisions that I will make, I in no way believe that changes my free will to make those decisions. Its still up to me. I think that time is a concept that confines man during his lifetime, but in no way restricts God. Time only affects us.

I want to make one point about what you said here.

If God looked into time and saw that you (or I) would believe, and then based His decision to show mercy to us based on that information, then "grace" is no longer "grace".

If God is responding to something we do in the granting of salvation, that is a work on our part.

If we respond to God's intervention (according to His purpose, desire, will) in our lives, then that is grace on God's part.

peace to youraying:

 

[Dr. L.T. Ketchum]

I know that it is your article. I am not asking you to send me to a website like I am your student or something. I am not asking you to direct me to a book or other resource. I am asking you to answer my question directly, on this forum. The question should be very simple. Either you believe God is in control of His creation or you don't. Either you believe God is sovereign or you believe that God is at the mercy of His creation. Which is it? Do you believe that God is sovereign and in control of His creation or do you believe He watches and knows but does not control?

If you want your question answered, its answered. If you do not want to read the answer then don't.

Another Calvinist with an anger management problem?

 

[Martin]

If you want your question answered, its answered. If you do not want to read the answer then don't.

Another Calvinist with an anger management problem?

I'm not angry or anything like that, I just want to get a direct answer to a very simple question. Sadly, however, it seems that you either can't or won't give a direct answer. Instead you wish to refer me to your website where you have written a long, theologically problematic article. I must assume your refusal to answer the question with a simple, direct reply has to do with how you would answer the question.

 

[Rippon]

IOW, Dr.K. may answer :"I believe God is sovereign, but not the way you Calvinists understand Sovereignty.Sure I believe He is in control of almost everything in the universe. But He dares not intrude into my space, my free will. God knows everything, but that doesn't mean that He actually controls or decrees anything like someone's salvation.I enjoy my philosophy. I like to regard it as fundamental.I hope more people come over to my website and learn what I know."

 

[donnA]

If you want your question answered, its answered. If you do not want to read the answer then don't.

Another Calvinist with an anger management problem?

No, not actually, a poster who refuses to post an answer here on the board he was asked the questins at.