The view [interpretation] that it is by the written word of God [alone] in which salvation is by God's grace [alone] through faith [alone] in God's Christ [alone].

The challenge is to give an explanation as to why from the Bible this is believed.

I am starting this thread as a Calvinist to other Calvinists. All comments are welcome, but the intent is to discuss a division within Calvinism.

Please be respectful of one another. I hate to ask this as it should be self-evident, and hopefully the board is dispositioned to handle a more mature conversation than it has been recently. Let's learn about one another without trying to make enemies of one another.

I believe in the doctrine of "double predestination" - that is, a group of...

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
These were predestined, called, justified, and glorified (8:29-30).

Those who truly love God obey Him by resisting temptations to sin!

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
Believers who endure temptation:...

On another thread a member introduced a term...the Elijah syndrome....I only I am left.

I have not heard this term before and find it interesting.

My view is that any interpretation or position that is unique to an individual is bound to be wrong. Perhaps technically this is "playing the odds", but I always cautioned those I have taught that a new interpretation of teaching that has been around for over 2k years is bound to be problematic.

My concern is when people arrive at individual...

Any time that some truth which is held in balance in God’s word is given an emphasis on only one side, then misunderstanding and error result. It is true, as the Calvinists emphasize, that election in eternity past is unconditional. But the neglected Biblical balance is this: salvation in this temporal world is conditional, and God blesses no one with the saving, justifying, regenerating, life-giving union with Christ until they drop their rebellion, humble themselves, and come in genuine,...

There seems to be a habit among some Calvinists saying that they are not Calvinists. They claim to be Mongergists soteriologically but distance themselves from the Calvinist label. In my conversations (on and offline), the two most popular reasons for rejecting the Calvinist moniker are 1. The scorn they receive over the term from Christians who are not Calvinists. 2. Disagreement with John Calvin on his other beliefs. Charles Spurgeon had no problem describing himself as a Calvinist because...

I am currently the interim pastor of a church (over 6 month snow)

The music director wants the title of my message and the message text by Monday morning for the following
week. ( for Sun, July 14, the info was to be in by Monday, Jul 8)

Well, I work a bi-vo on Mon and Tues 1 pm to 10 pm - but the last couple of weeks I have been working overtime, and that has been wearing very much on my physical being. Could I do this on Sunday afternoon - maybe - but I just use Sun as time to wind...

We in the middle watch with dismay as justification for the extremes of one side is claimed to be based on the extremes of the other (in the ongoing Calvinism debate). Why ignore the middle position? There are more than two choices here... The issue of the inability of sinners is one in desperate need of common sense and Biblical clarity, which will provide some common ground for both sides—that is, for those who are willing to open their eyes and consider what the middle has to offer.

The...

God is infinite good.

Lies needs truth to exist.
Evil needs good to exist.
Chaos needs order to exist.

God created finite good things.

Finite good things which are not infinite, can be hurt, was the creation of evil.

Isaiah 45:7.

I live just 35 miles from the snake-handling capital of the world, Jolo, West Virginia. Their church there is called "Church of the Lord Jesus".

Don't let that name fool ya! It's a CULT!

They base their belief on this Bible verse: And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they...