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Calvinism: Why Evangelize?

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by Humble Disciple, Jul 18, 2021.

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  1. Humble Disciple

    Humble Disciple Active Member

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    If irresistible grace is true, then when you pray for the salvation of loved ones, you can have faith in God’s power to save them, if He so chooses, despite their resistance.

    If irresistible grace is true, then when you support evangelism, you can be assured that God will use it to call His elect unto Himself, that it’s not just dependent upon human effort to persuade the lost.

    If unconditional election is true, you should treat every person equally, and preach the Gospel indiscriminately, because you will never be able to tell who is God’s elect and who isn’t until they repent and believe.

    Irresistible Grace - is it biblical?

    Unconditional election - is it biblical?



    Some of the greatest missionaries and evangelists in history have been Calvinists, including Voddie Baucham, who left the United States to serve as Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia.
     
    #1 Humble Disciple, Jul 18, 2021
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  2. Humble Disciple

    Humble Disciple Active Member

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    If you are a non-Christian who has a hard time believing what the Bible teaches, I recommended asking God for the grace to open up your mind and heart, and then starting with John’s Gospel. Keep reading and keep praying until you receive the gift of faith. (John 15:26, John 16:13)
     
    #2 Humble Disciple, Jul 19, 2021
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  3. Humble Disciple

    Humble Disciple Active Member

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    I donate to India National Inland Mission. Founded by a former Hindu, this organization operates a Bible college and orphanage, while planting churches throughout northern India:
    India National Inland Mission - MinistryWatch.com

    India National Inland Mission has received the highest rating for financial accountability from Ministry Watch. Because of my belief in unconditional election and irresistible grace, I can have assurance that their ministry efforts will lead to God calling His elect unto Himself.
     
    #3 Humble Disciple, Jul 19, 2021
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  4. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    Matthew 28:19-20, ". . .
    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: . . ."
     
    #4 37818, Jul 21, 2021
  5. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    And if you really believe Calvinism, what's the point? God will call His Elect unto Himself without you or anyone else.

    I understand some of the most evangelistic men in history were Calvinists. Many Calvinists are evangelistic. At the end of the day, if unconditional election is true, Whats the point?
     
    #5 Reynolds, Jul 21, 2021
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  6. BroTom64

    BroTom64 Active Member
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    While not a Calvinist, the point of Evangelism is at least twofold,
    1. Evangelism is our obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2. Evangelism glorifies the Father by telling the world what great things the Lord has done.
     
    #6 BroTom64, Jul 29, 2021
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  7. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    Because it pleases God. 1 Corinthians 1:21.
     
    #7 Martin Marprelate, Jul 29, 2021
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  8. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    I understand that. Just let your brain run in circles chewing on how illogical it is.
     
    #8 Reynolds, Jul 29, 2021
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  9. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    It is not illogical that God has ordained means of grace to bring about the salvation of the elect.
     
    #9 Iconoclast, Jul 29, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2021
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  10. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    This is actually a good point (and points to the character of God).....and this from someone who does believe in predestination.
     
    #10 JonC, Jul 29, 2021
  11. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    I should take that up with God if I were you, and tell Him how illogical He is.
    Then your brain can chew on Job 38:1-7; Isaiah 55:8-9 & Romans 11:33-36.
     
    #11 Martin Marprelate, Jul 30, 2021
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  12. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    That is actually the response I wanted. That is a the High Calvinistic approach to that question. You admit that it is illogical to man but then go on to show that being illogical is not really relevant. The answer I can not stand is when a more general Calvinist tries to show that it is logical. As I have said many times, I respect high Calvinism, but I do not respect the lower compromising versions of Calvinism.
     
    #12 Reynolds, Jul 30, 2021
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  13. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    so who are these people that believe evangelism is just based on human effort? I’ve never met one.
     
    #13 Revmitchell, Jul 30, 2021
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  14. Humble Disciple

    Humble Disciple Active Member

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    If Calvinism is true, we can be assured that God will use our preaching to draw His elect unto Himself:

     
    #14 Humble Disciple, Jul 31, 2021
  15. Dave G

    Dave G Well-Known Member

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    Well said, Steve, and I quite agree:

    " For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Corinthians 1:21).

    Here's a bit more of that passage:

    " For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
    19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
    20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
    21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
    22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
    23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
    24 but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God    .


    25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." ( 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ).


    Because God uses what is foolish to us, to call His children to Him.
    The preaching of the cross, Christ crucified for sinners.
     
    #15 Dave G, Aug 5, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2021
  16. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    They must be somewhere because I hear a lot about them on here. When I actually meet one, I will be sure to let you know.
     
    #16 Reynolds, Aug 5, 2021
  17. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    As the OP is now banned, the thread is closed.
     
    #17 Squire Robertsson, Aug 5, 2021
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