Free Will

[Behold]

So if you asked the next one on the park bench... "are you a Christian, and the said... "Yes, but I'm not a Calvinist" ...
What do you think?

Here is what i think.

The answer is :

"Yes."

That's it.

 

[Behold]

Yes…always the Centrality of Christ.
If He is not at the center and if He is not our single Source for all, then we need to address why not.

John 14:6

Accept no substitute.

 

[Carbon]

Something to consider...


John made Calvinist's.

God made Christians.

Its not the same thing.


Let me ask you a question, reader.

If you were on the street, and you met someone in the park, and you said... """are you a Christian"", and they said.... "yes, im a Buddhist'"?
What would you think?
So, if you asked the next one on the park bench... "are you a Christian", and they said... "Yet, im a Calvinist"..

Now, do you see the issue?
There is one.

I see the issue but different from the issue you see. A Buddhist is not a Christian. A Calvinist is. As an Arminian is.

And there really is no reason for a Calvinist to answer the the question “yes, I’m a Calvinist.”
However, a new convert might.

Also a Buddhist probably wouldn’t know any better? I don’t know if they consider themselves christians? I think not.
But if they identified themselves as such wouldn’t that raise a yellow flag to a new Christian?

 

[civic]

Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who came to be known as the Buddha — the enlightened one, or one who is awake — whereas Christianity is centered on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy, i.e., it does not believe in a supreme creator being a.k.a. God. Christianity is a monotheistic religion and believes that Christ Is the Son Of God.

Buddhism, like Jainism and many other Indian traditions are Śramaṇic traditions which originally referred to several non-Brahmanical ascetic religions parallel to but separate from the Vedic religions of India such as Hinduism. The Śramaṇa tradition includes primarily Jainism, Buddhism, and others such as the Ājīvika.

 

[Behold]

And there really is no reason for a Calvinist to answer the the question “yes, I’m a Calvinist.”

Yet, they religiously ID themselves as "Calvinist", Brother Carbon.

However, that little test i gave you, is revealing of "denominational or cult mindset".

"I am a baptist"
"I am a catholic"
"I am a insterst here your denomination that you believe is your Christian ID badge.

See the issue?


Paul said to "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.... = but he never told you to become the Denomination., as Denominations are man made, and Christianity is GOD MADE.

See the Difference?
God does.
Do you, Reader?

So.... reader......Here is how to get out of that mind set.

Just realize , reader, that there are no denominations in heaven.

Not even one.

There is just God, Christ, The Host of Heaven, and the Born again.

And here is the other "memo"..

God is not a Calvinist.
Jesus is not a Calvinist.

They are not a baptist, methodist, catholic, .....= they are not YOUR Denomination..


Wild isn't it?
"surreal" brother Behold.
"wow man"...

See, You wont hear that preached from your Pulpit...., and now you know something, that can change your entire self realization., and should, if you are that one.
Most qualify, but some will deny it, yet know its true.

 

[Carbon]

Lets say that "God is Love".

Now, lets say you and your wife or you and your husband are going to have twins.

Its 6 months into the pregnancy, and its 2 boys...

'Tristan and "Alexander'.

3 months to go...

Now, If God has pre-destined Alexander to not be a Christian, then that means that Alexander has no CHOICE but to go to Hell, as he's been pre-selected - pre-destined to burn in the Lake of Fire, before He even came out of the womb and grew up and had a chance to Trust in Christ and go to Heaven.

Now ask yourself.. What did He do to deserve that situation?...,
Did Alexander ask to be born ?

Now ask yourself, is that a loving God?, "God is Love"? ?That would cause that?

And then one more...

If a person is sent to eternal damnation for being a Christ Rejector.. .and yet God chose them to not be a "pre-destined-elect", then God caused what He is sending them to Hell for,.... isn't He.

So, is that "God is Love"?

Is that "Righteous judgement"?

It seems you, like many others build their beliefs off emotionalism. No offense, I get it. But I believe if you read scripture with the intention to believe what is written it comes to a sovereign God who is very loving but also just. He hates sin and the reprobate. Man sinned, God did not force him. And thankfully God reached into a bucket of slum felt around and pulled out some worms and of His good will and pleasure decided to save them.
The others, He just passed over.

The fact remains God is a holy, sovereigne God, He is a God of love and Justice. He alone deserves all the glory and will share none with any other. He is glorified both in His vessels of mercy as in His vessels of wrath.

No offense but if the God of the Bible is not for you there are many other gods to choose from.

 

[Carbon]

Yet, they religiously ID themselves as "Calvinist", Brother Carbon.

In theological discussions, yes. But I see no reason to answer someone saying, yes, I am a Calvinist. Or, yes I am an Arminian.

 

[Dave_Regenerated]

It seems to me that it is always inevitable that when people discuss the topic of free will, it ends up being about the existence of Hell and double predestination.

My view is that humans have limited free will with regard to making simple choices like between strawberry or chocolate ice cream. But Salvation is wholly of God.

 

[Alive]

No offense but if the God of the Bible is not for you there are many other gods to choose from.

I am curious. What, in your mind was said, that caused this reply?

 

[Carbon]

Yet, they religiously ID themselves as "Calvinist", Brother Carbon.

I think you are to use to forums. Out in public I dont see those same results.

 

[Behold]

comes to a sovereign God who is very loving but also just. He hates sin and the reprobate

Paul teaches that "all have sinned".

Me, you, Paul.

So, as all have sinned, why would "that sinner" not be pre-destined" and that other one, go to heaven?
Why is the distinction that God is making between a sinner and that other one, when "God is no respector of persons"?

A baby, in the womb is already "hell bound" according to the Calvin theology, yet, are they a "reprobate yet"?

 

[Behold]

In theological discussions, yes. But I see no reason to answer someone saying, yes, I am a Calvinist. Or, yes I am an Arminian.

Im neither.

So, i would not vote for them....

 

[Carbon]

I am curious. What, in your mind was said, that caused this reply?

I have heard many who disagree with God’s sovereignty in salvation that they even say we believe God is evil. Or make Him out to be a monster.

But I have no issue debating anyone about these issues for example Roman’s 9.
And a lot of people do not accept the God of the Bible. So I just think, if that’s the case, then go find another. It shows with some people that they just go not accept the God of the Bible. So why stay? You can’t change what is written.

 

[Carbon]

Paul teaches that "all have sinned".

Me, you, Paul.

So, as all have sinned, why would "that sinner" not be pre-destined" and that other one, go to heaven?
Why is the distinction that God is making between a sinner and that other one, when "God is no respector of persons"?

A baby, in the womb is already "hell bound" according to the Calvin theology, yet, are they a "reprobate yet"?

Often people use and hide behind Calvinism so they have something to blame for their emotionalism. Because they cannot deal with the God of scripture.

 

[Behold]

I think you are to use to forums. Out in public I dont see those same results.

I actually dont ask people on a forum if they are a Christian.
But in real life, ive heard "im a".....
Absolutely.

Had i asked you that, vs, posting about it, first...
Hummmm.
We can't go back in time and find out, can we...

 

[Carbon]

Im neither.

So, i would not vote for them....

Fair enough.

 

[fastfredy0]

And thankfully God reached into a bucket of slum felt around and pulled out some worms and of His good will and pleasure decided to save them.

Hey, I think you just called me a "worm". Do it again and I will report you. *giggle*

 

[Carbon]

I actually dont ask people on a forum if they are a Christian.

There really is no need to as we find out pretty quick. And since it is forum we usually find out which system also.

But in real life, ive heard "im a".....
Absolutely.

Okay. Huh, that’s odd. I have heard “I’m a Christian.” I may hear later while fellow shipping they are an Arminian or Calvinist. But that is usually quite each to distinguish. We live in different areas.

Had i asked you that, vs, posting about it, first...
Hummmm.

You don’t have to wonder. If asked I would say, yes I’m a Christian.”

We can't go back in time and find out, can we...

No need to.

 

[Carbon]

Hey, I think you just called me a "worm". Do it again and I will report you. *giggle*

You’re an exception of course.

 

[civic]

I think you are to use to forums. Out in public I dont see those same results.

I find forums don't reflect the world we live in most of the time and these discussions don't happen that often. Its a place to have our beliefs challenged. Unity in the faith is much harder to do online than in person with believers.

And now ( over 20 years online forums ) I'm not out to prove I'm right and the other person is wrong. I'm just online to share what I believe and why I believe it and lets the chips fall wherever that ends up. And now my motto is we can agree to disagree. On the essentials both Arminians and Calvinists are on the same page, its what I consider the non essentials or ones that are not salvific that the debates are about 99.99 % of the time anyways. And in those discussions we should show liberty and charity. Thats my 2 cents for what its worth. I guess now I'm not as dogmatic even though I have strong convictions about what I believe.