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Whats wrong with Calvinists ?

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Barry Johnson

Well-Known Member
Again, you don’t understand. They don’t attempt to pick who is elect. They preach to all praying they will come to salvation. They are genuinely concerned for the salvation of all they preach to.

peace to you
Is that really ' concerned if they are one of the ' elect ' or not ?
 

Alan Gross

Well-Known Member
Calvinism is not exactly monolithic so it can depend on the calvinist you speak to . I notice this on leighton flowers and Kevin Thompson s channels on YouTube. In fact just about everyone who challenges Calvinism is accused with not understanding Calvinism. What's going on here ? Can only Calvinsts understand Calvinism, is this part of the secret inside knowing , bestowed on the ' chosen ' ?

The Total Depravity of Man by A. W. Pink

Total Depravity "is therefore a testing doctrine, especially of the preacher's soundness in the faith.

"A man's orthodoxy on this subject determines his viewpoint of many other doctrines of great importance.

"If his belief here is a scriptural one, then he will clearly perceive how impossible it is for men to improve themselves—that Christ is their only hope.

"He will know that unless the sinner is born again there can be no entrance for him into the kingdom of God.

"Nor will he entertain the idea of the fallen creature's free will to attain goodness. He will be preserved from many errors.

"Andrew Fuller stated,

"I never knew a person verge toward the Arminian, the Arian, the Socinian, the Antinomian schemes, without first entertaining diminutive notions of human depravity or blameworthiness."

"Said the well-equipped theological instructor, J. M. Stifler,

"It cannot be said too often that a false theology finds its source in inadequate views of depravity."
 

AustinC

Well-Known Member
It's because they never quite know if they are one of the elect or not.
So they trust their works, not for salvation, but for assurance of salvation - keeping in mind that if they ever fall back completely then that confirms (in their understanding) that they weren't one of the elect to begin with.
So in a round-about practical way, they live and hope exactly as any man working towards his salvation.
And when you're never sure if you're saved or not, it's hard to have the joy of assurance.
A Calvinist can never, according to the system, be 100% he is saved.
He can reasonably infer it from his "good works" but he can never be 100% sure of it and thus never have perfect peace and joy.
So...a Calvinist humbly hopes in God alone to save and not in a merited prayer. Got it.
 

Barry Johnson

Well-Known Member
The Total Depravity of Man by A. W. Pink

Total Depravity "is therefore a testing doctrine, especially of the preacher's soundness in the faith.

"A man's orthodoxy on this subject determines his viewpoint of many other doctrines of great importance.

"If his belief here is a scriptural one, then he will clearly perceive how impossible it is for men to improve themselves—that Christ is their only hope.

"He will know that unless the sinner is born again there can be no entrance for him into the kingdom of God.

"Nor will he entertain the idea of the fallen creature's free will to attain goodness. He will be preserved from many errors.

"Andrew Fuller stated,

"I never knew a person verge toward the Arminian, the Arian, the Socinian, the Antinomian schemes, without first entertaining diminutive notions of human depravity or blameworthiness."

"Said the well-equipped theological instructor, J. M. Stifler,

"It cannot be said too often that a false theology finds its source in inadequate views of depravity."
Why are you quoting another man in a bible discussion?
 

AustinC

Well-Known Member
1 Peter 1:13-21 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
 
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