Just what you said "I'm a great admirer of John Calvin who, like Martin Luther" If you can not or refuse to see the flaws in these men then you are putting them on a pedestal. The only one that is High and Lifted up is Christ Jesus. All men have their warts and flaws, while some have done or will do great things for the kingdom I do not lift them up. That is just how I see it.
I believe that Calvin was wrong for not protesting the execution of Servetus. While he requested a lesser punishment than burning at the stake, he should have opposed his execution altogether.
As I said just a flawed man. I do disagree with what have become the teachings of Calvinism but that is not because of any feelings toward Calvin. I just view his teachings to be wrong.
Silverhair, your initial thought is flawed, therefore you attempt to ride the fence while hoping that no one sees your contradiction. You want to claim works while saying it's not works at the same time.
Your man-centered philosophy is obvious to any observant person.
My point is, whether you say declared or made, righteous of justified it is
by blood which I understand to be the obedience unto death even the death of the cross which would equal to the obedience of Rom 19 making or declaring righteous/justified. The same with, "the faith of Jesus Christ," relative to righteous/justified. Faith there is relative to the obedience of Christ not something we are exercising.
IMHO
That makes our righteousness and or our justification, being all of God the Father and the Son then extended to the elect through sanctification of the Spirit.
Austin you can not possibly be as thick as you come across. If you can not see the truth in what I have said then you are as lost as a ball in tall grass.
The only thing you see is Calvin he has become the god you worship, and that is really sad. Your lost child your lost.
I'm fond of saying that every man capable of thought has their religion. Even those who claim to be free of religion, but be it money, politics or some social cause, there is a god somewhere that is worshipped.
I'm also fond of saying one can read and even memorize Scripture but that isn't the same thing as believing it and trusting it. Some believe and trust specific passages of Scripture such as John 3:16 but much of the remaining 1100 pages are, in the opinion of some, subject to an outside theological consideration. So I agree, there is a god known as reformed theology.
Please, if you do not grasp there is a difference from being declared righteous, and being "made" righteous in Christ, there is nothing more I can say.
No one said or suggested that we make or contribute to our righteousness, we are made righteous by God.
Do you understand that the phrase "washing of regeneration" refers to our being born anew spiritually in Christ, no longer a made sinner, but instead made righteous, holy and blameless?
This is not rocket science.
Each of these refers to our positional sanctification where we have been placed spiritually within Christ and sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit, thus we are in Christ and Christ is in us.
Romans 3:24
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Rom 6:11
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Rom 8:39
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Consider all the things that occur when God places us into Christ:
justified, redeemed, made alive, have eternal life, no condemnation, set free from sin and death, inseparable from the love of God, and members of the body of Christ!
Once again a Calvinist posts an off topic question addressed to me to change the subject.
Why did God choose to put those in Christ into Christ?
Rich in faith, love of God, faith in the truth?
No siree bob, Calvinists claim all those verses do not mean what they say, our individual characteristics play no part in gaining access to the kingdom.
Austin I do not demand it God has said we have to make choices and we are held responsible for those choices. God is gracious and wants all to be saved 1Ti_2:3-4 but He does not drag us in to heaven as you would have it {determinism}. So what option is lift, it's called choice Joh 3:16-18. But you do not like that so you through out your false accusations about the way of salvation. Problem, the bible says your wrong but you keep following calvin if it makes you feel better. As they say you have the right to be wrong.
There is an observation in scripture that God is a Sovereign God who rules entirely over the affairs of men. There is no observation of co-rulership as free will philosophers promote.