Yeah, it's a gut-wrenching shame that we have to test every spirit with such a defensive sense of doubt, even amongst those we believe to be our brethren. The cool thing though, is when it works and there's a meeting of minds and that rare but sweet-sweet fellowship is had by all. Jesus didn't say it'd be easy, just rewarding.
I'm testing constantly but always with hope, and while in the process trying to be very slow to anger. There's so much good to be found here; solid Biblical discussions, willing and knowledgeable teachers and occasionally, humble, peaceable interactions. :1_grouphug: <--- that almost makes me sound like a throwback hippie... /me shudders.
Not at all. It just means that the statement is not as unifying as one is hoping. In teaching the doctrines that divide us, we all believe we're preaching Christ.
Of course, but those who truly understand Calvinism will tell you, that though they may have a deep and abiding love for their Calvinist and noncalvinist brothers as did Whitefield and Wesley, they would be unequally yoked working in the same ministry.
Calvinism and any other noncalvinist thought aren't simply different perspectives of Christ like one is looking at the north side of a building and the other is looking at the south. One is describing Solomon's Temple, and the other a log cabin, and they're both called "Christ."