There are two types of Calvinists. The Calvinist who has learned his Calvinism only by studying books and creeds, and the Calvinist who, although he has studied these same books and creeds, has come to understand the doctrine of free grace by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. In other words, there is the Calvinist who has the TULIP acronym in his head, and the Calvinist who has it in his heart.
Often the major difference between them is pride and humility. The former has become a little arrogant if not all together harsh because of his personal intellectual accomplishment, while the latter has been deeply humbled by a fuller understanding of the doctrine.
Regardless, only the Calvinists who are gentle and humble should be considered as genuine. Why? Because, they truly understand the doctrine as evidenced by their humility. Therefore, as we shall see, humility is the distinguishing mark of a true Calvinist....
http://gbcconway.com/wp-content/uploads/TheMarkofaTrueCalvinist.pdf
The Mark of a True Calvinist
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Revmitchell, Mar 18, 2013.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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reformed have Confessions/creeds, and also have entire calvinism theology, taking in Covenant theology, main difference being some baptizr infants/babies, whiles don't!
And the true mark of ANY Christian will be love for the bethren, and for the lost, regardless if cal/arm/whatever else! -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
My Beef with Calvinists
I have a beef with Calvinists.
First of all before you get ready to send my an email with your fists flying, let me remind you that I am one (cf. the url). This means that I have theological license to throw elbows and pound the speed bag.
My beef centers on the fundamental contradiction that is unveiled in many of the arguments and attitudes communicated by those ‘in the camp’. I have seen and heard some of the most condescending, unkind, and ungracious tones in communicating with or about those who do not agree with us. And sometimes if you get a few of us together, talking theology, the sniper rifles come out and we are soon enjoying open season on liberals, Arminians, Emergents and various and sundry freaks in the American Christian movement.
Now, as a good Calvinist let me first qualify this. I don’t think it is wrong to point out error, especially within the umbrella of Christianity. In fact it is biblical (1 Tim. 4.1-8). However, it is the aura of self-righteousness that accompanies these jabs that is troublesome. We think, talk and act like they are so stupid. We filet folks who do not believe in the universal depravity of mankind.
We say things like, “Humanity is spiritually dead. We can do nothing to arouse our affections for God. God must impart truth to the mind of the dead man. God must illumine the soul of the one whom he has regenerated.”
And we say these things (which are true) with a condescension that undermines it.
http://www.ordinarypastor.com/?p=1746 -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
An Apology from an Arrogant Calvinist
There are a few common hand grenades that get lobbed at Calvinists. One of the most common that you’ll find is that they tend to be frustratingly pompous in their approach to other believers who may not agree with their theology.
Calvinists, especially these new ones, can (and will, if you let them) quote Calvin, Luther, Owen, Edwards, Sproul, and Piper for hours on end, and yet (the argument goes) they love their theology and their books, but don’t love people – at least not enough to show any sort of patience or grace for those who may disagree.
Guest posting on Justin Taylor’s blog last week, Jared Wilson wrote:
Gracelessness is never as big a disappointment, to me anyway, as when it’s found among those who call themselves Calvinists, because it’s such a big waste of Calvinism.
Why? Because it’s a depressing irony and a disgrace that many who hold to the so-called “doctrines of grace” are some of the most graceless people around. The extent to which your soteriology is monergistic — most Calvinistic nerds know what I’m talking about here — is the extent to which you ought to know that your pride is a vomitous affront to God. The hypocrisy is incongruous.
And so, as a young Calvinist (yep, I’m one of those), please allow me to say something that you might not hear often:
I’m sorry
I apologize for all of the times that I or my brothers have allowed the sin of pride to creep in. I’m sorry for all of the times that I chose to display that sin rather than mortify it.
That’s not godly or excusable. In fact, it exemplifies my need for grace all the more. And if that’s the case, then I’d better be willing to extend that same grace to you.
http://www.davidnormanblog.com/arrogant-calvinists/ -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Here is a good example of what I am talking about:
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My point on that is my stance is on Jesus/Apostles, and that calvin was gifted by God to be able to discern some things as a teacher, as was luther and others of the era of the reformation, but NONE were Apostles, and its just away to study/system study the scriptures, but NOT only way to, or an infallible way to!
I cannot say with others that calvinism IS the Gospel, and Arms/non cals preach/teach 'wrong gospel"
My belief is that we see it more compleyely how God operates in salvation, but NOT only or an infallible way! -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I don't say that. -
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I've also seen you make the statement above several times about your "personal dealings with calvinists", yet you continue to post articles, I would like to hear a personal story about how they have been so horrible to you.
Are there arrogant Calvinists, sure, are there humble Calvinists, sure. There are plenty of arrogant and humble non cals as well. Maybe I should start a thread about the angry non-cal I've met who brags about how many their "runnin" in Sunday School, or the angry non-cal I've met that thinks terms such as atonement, justification, and santification aren't important. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
But even by just posting them calvinists became defensive. Which makes my point. -
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=85004
Seems to me like early on you were the one attacking 12Strings, he seems to be one of the more gracious posters on BB in my opinion.
The other four threads didn't even get a response.
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=85005
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=85003
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=85002
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=85001 -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I am not saying that Rev does not have a point, but everything said as a criticism of Calvinists can be laid on Arminians also. No one position has a lock on arrogance.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
It is a huge and recognized problem among calvnists as I have laid the case for. -
No one wants to take the time to drill down on who they are talking about, so we use a term like "Calvinist " or "Arminian" as representative of an entire group. -
Speaking as a Calvinist, most of the problems I have seen are among cage-stage Calvinists. It is as though they personally discovered Calvinism. They are quite exasperating. It takes time, patience, solid teaching, and love to get them to see the big picture. This is why I think Calvinism, apart from the greater umbrella of Reformed Theology, has inherent problems. Reformed Theology, with its heavy emphasis on the grace of God, is a sobering influence on Calvinist soteriology. It can be a very good check and balance. Lone Ranger Calvinism creates lots of problems.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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