Should Christians call themselves Calvinists?

[Luke2427]

Maybe the 13th time will get through to you.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This verse easily teaches you have to believe to have life.

Calvinism teaches that a person must be regenerated to believe. And you define regeneration as being born again, having spiritual life.

Well, you can't have spiritual life while you are still dead in your sins, and until you trust Christ you are dead in your sins.

You have not refuted this whatsoever.

I'll ask you this simple question, does regeneration mean spiritual life??

One more time and I'll see if you respond.

Believing is necessary for continued life. It is necessary for the maintenance of life. There is not a Calvinist on earth who thinks that believing is not essential to life.

But believing does not start the life.

It is like this:

A baby lives before it breathes but it must breath to continue to live. The baby's life is contingent upon breathing but it does not exist BEFORE life. The baby lived in its mother's womb for a long time before it ever breathed.

The verse could read like this: You were born that you might breath and that breathing you might have life. Does that mean that breathing PRECEDED life? No. It just means that breathing is necessary for life to continue.

These things are written that you might believe and that believing ye might have life. Does believing of necessity PRECEDE life here? NO. No more than breathing necessarily precedes life.

 

[The Archangel]

Again, I have plenty of care and concern for brothers and sisters. The "I am more wise and humble" routine can cease now. End of the "this" exchange between you and I. (for me)

Kindly notice I never said I was more wise or humble than anyone. I find it quite troubling that a friendly corrective offered by me has brought rebuke from you. I think this shows a great deal about you and it is unfortunate that you are self-immune to a gentle corrective. Troubling.

Blessings,

The Archangel

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Archangel,

Where is Hub City ....Is that Baltimore?

 

[John Toppass]

I don't know why Arminians and semi-Arminians follow man made systems and cannot see that Calvinism is biblical and all other systems are self contradictory and unscriptural.

Your right! But they are all man made systems and are unscriptural.

 

[Luke2427]

Your right! But they are all man made systems and are unscriptural.

Calvinism is not unscriptural.

The doctrine of the Trinity is no more man made than the DoG.

 

[webdog]

If you believe, you have been born again. Now, the Greek construction of this sentence in regards to the the order here, has been discussed ad nauseum, but the final outcome on that was that most Greek Grammars would support what I am saying. If you wish to look up the thread, I am sure it is in the archives, somewhere. I personally do not have the time.

Please back your claim that "most" greek grammars support your interpretation. I recall the thread and that was not proven.

 

[quantumfaith]

Calvinism is not unscriptural.

The doctrine of the Trinity is no more man made than the DoG.

Luke, I think the point here is All systematic theologies (or non systematic) are by definition MANs attempt to interpret, explain and "make sense" of God's revelation of Himself through the Word. As such, because it is Mans attempt, and man is fallible, any theology has the potential to be riddled with error. Unless of course one elevates any theological system to the level of "revealed scripture. I dont think you are or even wish to think that.

 

[Luke2427]

Luke, I think the point here is All systematic theologies (or non systematic) are by definition MANs attempt to interpret, explain and "make sense" of God's revelation of Himself through the Word. As such, because it is Mans attempt, and man is fallible, any theology has the potential to be riddled with error. Unless of course one elevates any theological system to the level of "revealed scripture. I dont think you are or even wish to think that.

The same is true with the Trinity though Quantum.

To say that because man organized it that it must be false is not intelligent.

 

[Luke2427]

Winman, this is what you do. Several days ago I explained a passage of Scripture that you have been misusing. I told you that I ahve done it before and you never respond and I did it here and LITERALLY said, "LEt's see if he repsonds" You didn't.

Originally Posted by Winman View Post
Maybe the 13th time will get through to you.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This verse easily teaches you have to believe to have life.

Calvinism teaches that a person must be regenerated to believe. And you define regeneration as being born again, having spiritual life.

Well, you can't have spiritual life while you are still dead in your sins, and until you trust Christ you are dead in your sins.

You have not refuted this whatsoever.

I'll ask you this simple question, does regeneration mean spiritual life??

One more time and I'll see if you respond.

Believing is necessary for continued life. It is necessary for the maintenance of life. There is not a Calvinist on earth who thinks that believing is not essential to life.

But believing does not start the life.

It is like this:

A baby lives before it breathes but it must breath to continue to live. The baby's life is contingent upon breathing but it does not exist BEFORE life. The baby lived in its mother's womb for a long time before it ever breathed.

The verse could read like this: You were born that you might breath and that breathing you might have life. Does that mean that breathing PRECEDED life? No. It just means that breathing is necessary for life to continue.

These things are written that you might believe and that believing ye might have life. Does believing of necessity PRECEDE life here? NO. No more than breathing necessarily precedes life.

Seven days later- still no response.