This is primarily for those who identify with Calvinism

What do you see as the three best points made in this helpful article?

What do you see as the three weakest points if any in this article?

http://www.gracegems.org/SERMONS2/practical_wisdom_for_calvinists.htm

Non Cals...feel free to take a look also:wavey: proceed at your own risk...this article is rated '''

R for reformed

I believe this article has good points and error in it.Can you spot the errors?
I do not agree with several points here,however....he raises many good points for discussion.

 

Revmitchell


Good imput.

Or...could it be that in speaking in general terms you say the most in the least amount of time? To try and break down all possibilites everytime we speak on an issue would not seem feasible.

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This has to be addressed as it comes up very often.
he in part addressed it here;
5. Although those who adhere to the precious Doctrines of Grace should be ready always to articulate and explain their beliefs, we must be careful to not go looking for debates or disputes with our Arminian brethren – as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:3, "being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Let us also remember that we do not always have to have the last word, nor is it necessary to always "win the debate" – as Spurgeon wisely warned his own students at The Pastor’s College:

In all probability, sensible conversation will sometimes drift into controversy, and here many a good man runs upon a snag. The sensible minister will be particularly gentle in argument. He, above all men, should not make the mistake of fancying that there is force in temper, and power in speaking angrily. A heathen who stood in a crowd in Calcutta, listening to a missionary disputing with a Brahmin, said he knew which was right though he did not understand the language – he knew that he was in the wrong who lost his temper first. For the most part, that is a very accurate way of judging. Try to avoid debating with people. State your opinion and let them state theirs. If you see that a stick is crooked, and you want people to see how crooked it is, lay a straight rod down beside it; that will be quite enough. But if you are drawn into controversy, use very hard arguments and very soft words. Frequently you cannot convince a man by tugging at his reason, but you can persuade him by winning his affections (Lectures to My Students [Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Reprint, 1977] Vol.1, p.188).

6. Christian love, however, does not exclude a proper and humble boldness. Proverbs 28:1 reminds us that "the righteous are bold as a lion" (cf. Acts 4:29,31; Philippians 1:14).
This is accomplished easier face to face,harder on a keyboard ,responding to just the words, or the attack that comes most times.

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Or....what if it is out of a degree of ignorance? he said;
3. Most Arminians reject the Doctrines of Grace out of gross ignorance, misunderstanding, or misrepresentation on the part of sincere, but misinformed Calvinist’s. Thus, often they are not rejecting genuine Calvinism, but distortions of it. One’s heart may be right, while one’s head may be wrong.

For two people to disagree demonstrates that in some way they "do not understand exactly the same"...If everyone understood the same way,that would include a belief that is the same.

Now...if someone can articulate the doctrine accurately enough,and then offer why they do not hold to it.....that is another story.

For example, can we as baptists go into a Presbyterian church and present their view of why infants should be baptized in such a way that if they do not know us to be baptists they would believe we believed as they do?

1]This can and sometimes is a real danger...a person can be flat out arrogant, and puffed up,thinking themselves to be more than they are.

2] they can be perceived as "arrogant" because they are very bold and confident in the truth itself,so much so that the person who disagrees gets overwhelmed with the confident presentation of truth that they cannot understand properly, or find an answer to...so they charge

he addressed that here:
1. Consider the grace and blessings which God has lavished upon you: He could have chosen to create you into a mouse or even a cockroach but, instead, chose to make you into a member of the human race; He could have chosen to plant you in the most remote and harshest place on this planet but, instead, chose to plant you in the free and prosperous land of America; He could have left you in sin and darkness but, instead, chose to redeem you and adopt you as His child through Christ Jesus; And He could have left you in your Arminian confusion but, instead, chose to graciously reveal the Doctrines of Grace to you. Therefore, do you have any excuse for pride or arrogance toward others – particularly toward our Arminian brethren? As the apostle Paul says, "For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Again.....knowing this intellectually,and having the grace and wisdom to apply this in real life when under attack is part of where the battle is.:thumbs:

2]

 

two areas where he is off the mainline teaching are because he follows Jon Zens and those who went off about 30-40 years ago;

these two areas are a separate thread all by themselves.

 

This section is helpful also, but with some discussion needed:

 

This section is helpful also, but with some discussion needed: