TULIP by Dr. Daniel L. Akin

Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." Sometimes we go beyond what we know into spectulation. We only know what has been revealed unto us and even those things are hard to fathom at times. Our minds are limited and finite.

 

No, most Calvinist's would say that anyone who does not completely embrace the doctrines of sovereign grace is not a Calvinist. We do not question their salvation, just their acceptance of sovereign grace. Are there some Calvinists who may question an Arminians salvation? Yes. Are they correct? To the extent that any of us can be sure a person is actually saved, no. They are not correct. There are Arminians who believe Calvinists are not saved just because they are Calvinists. To use your phrase (which I like by the way)...poppycock! </font>[/QUOTE]Yes, but even amongst those who profess all five points, there is a difference of definition and interpretation of the five points especially among those who are evangelicals. </font>[/QUOTE]Paid, that is one of the reasons why the creeds and confessions were written, in order that churches could agree on a position(s). The Westminster Confession of Faith grounds most Presbyterians on the essential doctrines of the Reformed faith. The 1689 London Baptist Confession is agreed on by many Reformed Baptist churches. The Canons of Dordt were the most eloquent in describing T.U.L.I.P and still are the standard today. But lest we Calvinists be taken out of context, creeds and confessions only have relevance to the degree that they accurately interpret scripture. They are not to be elevated above scripture.

Now...even with everything I have said, there are probably so-Called Calvinists walking around who have arrived at their own private interpretation of T.U.L.I.P. I cannot speak for them (whoever they are). I stand with the vast majority of Calvinists whose view of sovereign grace are accurately articulated through many creeds and confessions which derive their authority from scripture.

 

I believe we see Jesus' humanity at work. Jesus probably understood the horrifying death He was going to experience. Out of His humanity He prayed to the Father. But He also fell back on the Father's sovereignty, "not my will, but your will". Of course we don't know why He asked this in prayer. We can only extrapolate a reason based on what we know about our Lord's humanity.

 

The OT contains numerous examples of God demonstrating "human behavior". Did God change His mind? Did God have to be "calmed down" by Moses? At face value these seem hard to reconcile with an all powerful God.

We must consider that God interacts with man as He chooses. The fact that He would condescend to speak one to one with a human is remarkable - and we arethe beneficiaries of this remarkable consideration.

In addition the OT is written in a narrative fashion. Because God chooses to interact with us on "human terms" we see these interactions "narrativized" as such. As Paidagogos noted God does have compassion on us. This personified speech reflects His compassion for us and NOT any weakness or limitation on His part.

 

Charles, I like that!

 

Ah yes, the TULIP; a lovely flower; a lousy Bible.

Ed

 

There is no such thing as a TULIP Bible . But all those propositions are certainly important , hefty helpings of the Word of God .

The so-called 4 spiritual laws need to be examined as to whether they constitute the biblical gospel though .

 

I don't believe that clear statements in the Bible can be refuted with an article nor can their meaning be changed by a different "view.".

 

One thing we should all be able to take away from this article and this entire thread. The Calvinist don't even agree with each other so why should we expect anything different from them when it comes to us. I mean not just minor difference but major differences. :thumbsup: Its just an observation from the outside. peace,

 

Would you care to elaborate what you see as the major differences as an outside observer BB ?

 

You think I going to start something or what??? :laugh: :laugh: