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Featured Calvinist Pastors being up front about their doctrine.

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Revmitchell, Feb 15, 2013.

  1. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    It has been asked "Why should Calvinist Pastors be upr front about their doctrine?"


    The better question is why would they not be up front about it?

    What is there to hide?

    Are they so prideful that they do not want to disclose this?

    Or do they have an agenda to take a church that is not Calvinist and turn it into one?

    Why hide that fact? And how can a Spirit filled conscience live with doing so?
     
    #1 Revmitchell, Feb 15, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 15, 2013
  2. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    Rev,

    Who is saying this?
     
  3. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=84515

    I will add that I do know that there are some Calvinist pastors who avoid disclosing this information so as to find a church and turn it "around".
     
  4. steaver

    steaver Well-Known Member
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    I oftentimes listen to John MacArthur's radio sermons. Monday he is having one on why people reject Jesus Christ. If he would be true to his beliefs about TULIP it would go something like this; "Folks, why do people reject the Lord Jesus Christ? I'll tell you why, because God will not let them accept Him!"

    But then I don't know what he will do with the other 29 minutes of air time. But I suspect he will just give another Arminian sermon on this subject, which he always does. :tongue3:
     
  5. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

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    Agree someone should be upfront, but a pulpit committee should ask as well if it matters to the church.
     
  6. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Yep, if a sneaky Calvinist gets through the church is certainly at fault as well. The church needs to ask specific questions about doctrine.

    There is a large church in Memphis that was thrown into turmoil and much damage was done by a young Calvinist who was not upfront about his views on church governance and tried to push the church to switch to an elder led church.
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Seriously.... who would want to? Are we back to this SBC crap again? Look if a church is too stupid to ask the right questions, thats their problem. & if you didnt like the guy, do what the whole real world does.....fire him!
     
  8. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Again....not true. They rejected God from the very beginning so why would he not just pass them by?
     
  9. steaver

    steaver Well-Known Member
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    What part is not true? I'll see what Calvinist Mac has to say Monday and let you know. I'm pretty sure he won't sound like a Calvinist but rather an Arminian, but we'll see.
     
  10. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    maybe because to some it gives a bad taste , much as term Baptist does?

    By the way, which calvinist? the reformed, one like myself who is also Dispy, as is mcArthur, or?
     
  11. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Trying to falsely equate the two terms in no way relieves anyone from their responsibility of being up front.

    It doesn't really matter does it. Everyone should be honest and up front. Failure to do so is purely dishonest.
     
    #11 Revmitchell, Feb 16, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2013
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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  13. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I think I posted this in another thread, but yes, it is the responsibility of the local church to screen candidates before they are called. That is why there is two screening, the pulpit committee and the church. Another thing I do not understand, what is the emphasis on Calvinism as a major issue. As I said before, we have had both types of pastors, and we have both camps in the membership. Never once was this an issue in calling a pastor. Now, in our church, communion administration is. If a pastor is a strict closed communion person, the interview is over.
     
  14. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    OK? How does that change the need to be honest?
     
  15. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    There is a very good reason. Some churches do not want Calvinism taught. And some Calvinist pastors intentionally withhold the fact that they are Calvinist so as to 1.) finally find a church and 2.) turn it into a Calvinist church.
     
  16. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Good reasoning, but if our local church ever thought this was an issue, or any other issue, and had questioned the pastor about the issue, we would expect a direct, honest answer. To have to revisit this after he is in the office would be a bad sign that either the pastor was deceptive, and/or the church did not do its job during the calling process.

    There was a situation in another county where closed communion was a big issue. (pro closed communion). During the hiring, the pastor was asked about his stance on closed communion, to which he replyed, "I have served in churches that practiced closed communion." He was called, and shortly after, tried to gather members to support open. He had been for open all along and gave a smoke and mirrors answer. Both he and the church failed to do what they should. A more direct question should have been asked after that answer, but it was not. I use this as an example, because I am for open myself. The pastor only lasted about a year.
     
  17. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

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    While I was in the Navy I learned that locks were made to keep honest people honest. Well, when it comes to pulpit committees, questions were made to keep honest applicants honest. Some churches have you write out your testimony before joining. I have never been on a pulpit committee, but if I ever am, you can believe I would cover every base imaginable so there are no surprises.
     
  18. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    The unfortunate part of this is so many search committees are focused on personalities and what they personally want in a pastor. That is certainly part of the equation, but pastors are and should be held to a higher standard and need to be up front about where they are currently at in their doctrine. And that would go for any pastor on any issue.
     
  19. Thomas Helwys

    Thomas Helwys New Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
  20. Thomas Helwys

    Thomas Helwys New Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
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