Believe me, brother, I understand. The "Doctrines of Grace" describe my salvation, but like you I did not know that for a long time ;). All through seminary I held a strong "free will" position. From the time I first encountered Calvinistic soteriology until I discovered my presuppositions wrong, I came to exactly the same “logical conclusions” as you do here.
When I finally gave in and read the Canons of Dort, I discovered my error. Not only does the Canons describe God’s work (that I took as “compulsion”) as “softening” and “enlightening”, but they flatly deny men are saved contrary to their will. They even affirm men’s freedom of choice. And, of course, when I read the Institutes I realized how foreign the characterizations I had gathered were to Calvinism. In other words, I “uningorantified” myself. :D
But that only told me that my “logical conclusions” were wrong, not that they were right. So I went through what they believe and what I had believed, without my presuppositions, and discovered that they held a more biblical soteriology than I. It took a long time, a lot of prayer, and a lot of study before I would agree. But, I suppose that is how it should be.
Are there places where I disagree? Sure. For example, I do not agree with their definition of “regeneration”, but I absolutely agree with the doctrine that they call “regeneration”. I don’t agree with their reason children who die in infancy are safe, but I do agree that they are.
As one who does hold the “doctrines of grace”, but once held a “free-will” position, I can tell you that I have put both to the test. My logical conclusion of your position is that you believe God makes a way but man ultimately saves himself. And there is no other conclusion that can be made. My logical conclusion of the Doctrines of Grace is that God saves man.
doctrines of grace ?
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by MB, Jan 3, 2017.
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I doubt reading Institutes backwards changes the issue I raised. So your subtle hint at ignorance won't wash. You, or others who are more widely read hence less ignorant, should be answering these questions much easily without digression, right?
My departure from Calvinism was in making God not only indirect cause of Sin/Evil for creating a world with possibility of such, but also causing the same by His decrees. No amount of verbiage or theological circus escapes that. Calvinism reckoning of Sovereignty is irredeemably flawed hence the innumerable lame 'mystery' retorts.
The god of Calvinism not only knows what will be, he decrees what must be. He will obliterate masses he has decreed must be reprobate as if it is their fault.
As I shared elsrwhere, Calvinism is attractive because it presupposes it's followers to be on the 'right' side;subscription is election. I will buy the theories when I hear them preached by a certified reprobate:Roflmao
Yes, man accepting Christ's offer is man saving himself...just as Peter walking to freedom from the jail is Peter rescuing him. And believing is work. -
What I am saying, however, is that your “version” of Calvinism is not what Calvinists believe.
I know that you believe Calvinists at heart reject the Canons of Dort and their own writings in favor of your presupposed ideas of their "logical conclusions". I suppose you read that somewhere and have decided to believe it, even when Calvinists tell you that what you are presenting is not Calvinism, but in fact foreign to Calvinistic doctrine. That’s fine. Pride is a part of being human, it’s natural.
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That's why I used the word subtle. It's obvious disagreement or misunderstanding can set from ignorance. I certainly have a long way to go in learning.
Now, the highlighted is false. Any interpretation I give can always be dismissed as erroneous. I know this trick. So I started my questions on the basis of what you and Cassidy expressly said. But even then, I have come under a barrage of accusations of misunderstanding. So I tried a different approach; asking very particular questions. Made progress here but I noticed most of my questions are ignored. I can live with that.
I can see we are jumping from TD,IR, to LA of the doctrines. This is understandable as they are related but let's take it slow.
I will ask you a question. Is irresistible grace available to all men?
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You seem like an intelligent person. I think that you have a shorter way to go in learning than you do in listening.
Calvinists vary on doctrine, and they argue. But some considered “Calvinists” also deny the Canons of Dort in their theology (Daniel Parker, for example). And maybe some even believe that God compels men to believe, but again this would be a denial of the Canons.
The notion men are saved by compulsion is specifically denied in the Canons of Dort. The notion salvation was not legitimately offered, and the call given, to those who don’t believe is also refuted in the Canons of Dort as error. Christ is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe (this is Calvinistic belief, but it is also Scripture…specifically, it’s Paul). I know that you disagree with Calvinism. But why not let your disagreement be legitimate? Why not debate or discuss rather than troll, slander, and bear false witness? We have the documents, the Canons are available. The Articles they opposed are available. The Institutes are available. We can discuss things honestly, no need to stereotype here.
What questions are you looking to have answered? Ask, brother, and you will receive. Just stop telling us what we believe and deal with the answers given.
I don’t know your past. You seem to have a difficult time dealing with the Canons of Dort, so I wonder what kind of “Calvinist” you could have been.
Is “irresistible grace” available to all man? This is a nonsense question that demonstrates your lack of understanding of the doctrine.
“Irresistible” is not something to be given. This “grace” is mercy. So what you are essentially asking me is if God brings all men to belief. This is universal salvation, something I deny. While God does have mercy on all men, God does not save those who do not believe in Christ.
More to the doctrine, however, is that “irresistible grace” means that the Holy Spirit works in the life of a lost man in such a way that the Truth of the Gospel is revealed (not just that the truth about the gospel is made known and understood, but that man understands it as true). And this is not something that God does in the life of every man. -
What evidences (except your presuppositions and conclusions of what their conclusions should have been) are you offering in support of your position?
Evidence has been presented that contradicts your claims. I am interested in reading your evidence to the contrary.
Soteriological differences within Christianity arise from differences in understanding how God accomplishes his work of redemption. What remains in common is God and that work. That is why Christians of varying beliefs can discuss such things. We are children of the same God.
You, however, seem to reject this God that men like Calvin, Spurgeon, Wesley, and Tozer worshipped. You seem opposed to the God that TCasidy, MB, HeirOfSalvation, and others adore even as we disagree on theological issue of how our God worked things. As you reject and slander the God that both Calvinistic and non-Calvinistic soteriologies seek to explain, you need to know you are speaking of the One True God who is not defined by our understanding of him. When someone rejects the God of Calvinism, or the God of a "free-will" Christian theology, they are simply rejecting God. -
You have misrepresented free will. You think I must have done something to get my self saved. You're wrong. From my birth I was raised hearing the gospel every day and night of the week. Jesus Christ was at the center of everything in our home. When I was about twelve I rebelled against all of it and I hated it. I had no choice but put up with being preached at. I tried to run away from home because of it. I just could not deal with what I believed at the time was a bunch of hypocrites. This how I had viewed the Christians I knew. They were all just putting on a show.
Then one Sunday night in Church we had a special speaker. and by the time he was through with what he had to say. I found myself thinking differently. My mind had been changed about the hypocrites and I realized that what I hated most, was what I had become. I was convicted of my hatred. I realized that my own rebellion had kept me from the Lord. I became convinced of the Lord by hearing the gospel preached and it was because of this convincing that I submitted to the Lord's call.
You falsely claim I had something to do with it because I surrendered to Jesus Christ. This is typical Calvinist thinking. If the Lord hadn't drawn me where would I be now? If I hadn't heard the gospel where would I be now? If I hadn't heard that special speaker where would I be now? How would I have been convinced of Christ? Where would I have gotten the faith? How could I have been convinced?
Let me tell you that Salvation isn't cheap We must sacrifice our lives of sin to belong to Jesus. We have to submit so that the Lord can use us to bring more to Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord of my life and there is nothing this old world has that could lure me away from Him.
You're wrong Jon c about what I believe. I could have rebelled all the way to hell. But God could see what it would take to turn my life around. You should never under estimate God's work.
MB -
Anyway, you misunderstood my post.
My point in saying what you present is "typical Calvinistic thinking" was to highlight Agents error of doing the same ("typical free-will thinking"). I do not believe "free-will" advocates think that they save themselves any more than you should think I believe I was saved against my will. Calvinism does not teach men do not choose. Does not Scripture say "choose this day..."?
My point in offering what some less than honest Calvinists may argue was to point out the less than honest tactic Agent had taken up.
I believe in the same God who saved me under free will doctrine, regardless to what a minority of "hyper" free willers would suggest.
Agent 47 is the one, not I, who said he saved himself just as Peter freed himself by taking advantage of an opportunity. -
MB -
I not only believe God saves man, But every second of the entirety of existence depends on God including every second of your life.
I believe its God's prerogative on how he keeps you alive.
Matthew 6
11‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6
14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Does anyone here breathe or eat to live? Should I challenge them on grounds they don't believe God gives them life?
James 2
15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
Well James only God is necessary for their body!
Matthew 19
25When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
You would think with GOD it would be guaranteed.
21Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Did Jesus tell the truth? If this man went and sold all his possessions and followed Jesus would he have treasure in heaven?
Isn't the truth rather "IF GOD wishes you to be complete" instead of "IF you wish" -
Going forward, I will be quoting sources.
Don't I love the insinuation that if I read more I'd drop my stance. Yes, Calvinism always charges it's opponents of ignorance.
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Are you ok if I quoted institutes on EVERYTHING I say?
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My request for actual Calvinists who believe what you represent their beliefs as a whole to be was not that I thought you were ignorant, but because I am about such Calvinistic teachings.
Who are those Calvinists who reach God saves men against their will? -
I will also God willing start another on why [Calvin views God as drawing] kicks from damning men...that he is least interested in saving him.
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I will substantiate on this by quoting him, as well as his students. -
Insofar as "Calvinism" goes, he had been dead over 50 years before the Canons of Dort. I'm not really sure how he would have articulated the doctrines. It was Beza who placed sovereignty where it stands in Calvinism. Also, issues such as the "scope of the Atonement" was not in such sharp focus until much later.
Sometimes people forget that the term "Calvinism" was coined not for Calvin's soterilogy but for how his doctrine of Communion differed from Luther's. Calvinism (soterilogy) was not restricted to Calvin's doctrines. And I think most today would consider James Arminius at least a moderate Calvinist....I know Norman Geisler would....:Biggrin
Although I disagree with Calvin (I am Baptist), his defense for infant baptism as well as his accusations against those who oppose the view are interesting. They serve to highlight that theology consists of "more than meets the eye" and show the extent worldviews come into play. -
Regardless of my differences with Calvin(ism), I'd be the last to dismiss everything he wrote. What amuses me are the fence-sitters who pretend not to be overwhelmingly influenced by a man who they defend with blood and sweat -
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