What buddy of mine? The only person on the forum I would call a "buddy" is one I have met in person at least a couple times. And as far as I know that is limited to just a couple people. Dr. Bob, and Van.
Yes it is... And apparently you do not understand the concept of Sovereign Grace... He is a Christian... And he HAS been changed... All the evidence is there... He's a chosen vessel... He belongs to Christ!... Is that plain enough for you from a Calvinist?... This Calvinist anyway!... Brother Glen:)
I understand the concept just fine.
My initial post was really meant to be more tongue-in-cheek and not taken particularly seriously.
My apologies that it didn't come off that way.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with you well-wishing your friend.
blessings :)
Neither Paul here, or Luke on Judas and the Lord's Supper, are mistaken, as what they record are the Infallible, Perfect, Word of Almighty God. In both instances, you my friend are the one mistaken! It is you who holds on to your complete misunderstanding of John chapter 13, which is an account of the Passover Meal, and refusal to accept the account in Luke 22, which clearly shows (as the Greek says) that Judas was part of that Lord's Supper. Likewise, it is you who will hang on to one passage in First Corinthians, and assume that it is the be-all-and-end-all on salvation!You need to let the WHOLE of Scripture speak to you, and not only pick out that which suites your fancy!
This passage points to someone calling God a Liar.
1 John 5 10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.11And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
The reason the unbeliever makes God a Liar is because the unbeliever doesn't believe Jesus died for him.
Calvinist would have to say that the man who says that Jesus did not die for them is TELLING THE TRUTH.
You've got it completely backward. I did not say that was the Calvinist position. What I meant was that in HIS worldview, that is the case. If HE is consistent then that's the view HE should be espousing. I was urging HIM to be consistent with HIS view, not explaining mine.
My very semi-Pelagian friend introduced me to his pastor, and to my surprise, right after we shook hands, my friend said to his pastor, "he's a Calvinist" (referring to me). The pastor, with a very disapproving look on his face, said, "well, all we can do is pray that God changes him".
I replied, oh, you are a Calvinist too!
I don't have it backwards.
I must not have explained myself sufficiently.
It is only consistent for a non-Calvinist to attempt to "convince" a Calvinist of his position.
It is inconsistent for a Calvinist to insist on being "convinced".
Hence my puzzlement that you would start such a thread.
I'm pretty sure we are saying the same thing Brian.
Relax.
I would have said, "God did change me. I used to be a Finneyist who believed God was my little puppy on a leash just like you. Maybe we should pray that you repent of your Finneyist heresies."
If all the "elect" have been predestined to their salvation even before the foundation of this world, how can any arguments or reasoning ever mean anything? The whole system of the Calvinistic "election" is basically fatalistic, in that whatever had been predetermined by an all powerful God, will indeed come to pass! Since according to Calvinism, man does not possess a "free will", he is reduced into a robot which is pre-programmed to simply follow the dictates of the Master. This is NOT what the Holy Bible says about God, nor His Wonderful plan of salvation, which has been much distorted by this man-made system known as "Calvinism". I often wonder if
Calvinists actually understand what they believe!
Because God uses these means to call in His sheep.
Your misunderstanding is common. People think that Calvinism means that men are robots. No, God works in and through men's intellects and wills. Yes. Calvinists also believe that men possess wills.