What type of Calvinist am I?

[Buff Scott Jr.]

“Born Again”​

Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that “born again” is employed the way Calvinists use the expression. It is not a question of whether a man’s heart is opened or “quickened”—or is made aware of his need for salvation—prior to faith and repentance. We agree that, indeed, his heart is opened. But how? Through the message of salvation (Rom. 10:17). “Born again” is never used in conjunction with the opening of a man’s heart prior to believing and repenting—never once. “Born again” or “born from above” is used in only two portions of the new covenant scriptures. They are John 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:23.​

“None Are Righteous” & “No One Seeks God”​

Paul is describing the wretched condition of fallen man—all fallen men. They are inherently wicked, wretched, full of bitterness and hatred. Only by God’s revealing Himself to man, through the message of salvation or through creation, are they “enabled” or inclined to come to Him. Paul describes some of this in Romans 1 and in 10:17. But whichever method man uses to approach his God, it is not something he does apart from the working of God. God does His part. Man does his part.

Yes, of course, man is “dead in his sins.” But if dead, how can he revive himself and exercise free will? The man who is spiritually dead retains his senses. He can hear, speak, make decisions, issue judgments, and either reject or accept the Gospel message. And that is because he has free choice, as Jesus said in John 7:17. Being spiritually dead is not like being biologically dead. When biologically dead, the body reserves no senses. When spiritually dead, the body and spirit possess all of them.​

Is The Sinner Like A Corpse?​

Calvinists claim that the sinner is like a corpse. He can do nothing. If he is of the elect, God works in him “to will and to do.” In light of scripture, one can accept the influence of the Spirit in conversion and still conclude that a person is free to accept or reject the Gospel, to believe or disbelieve it. Remove human responsibility from the equation and you have a Bible that makes no sense. If when Jesus said "He who has ears to hear let him hear" they were not free to hear (respond), He would be talking nonsense. He was amazed at the disbelief of some because He well knew they could have and should have believed (Mark 6:6).

What about the prodigal son? He was in a swine pen far from his father and far from home—lost, which is worse than death. At this point in the story, Jesus pays a compliment to the human race in saying that the prodigal “came to himself.” That indicates that Jesus did not believe in total hereditary depravity, with apologies to Calvinists. Jesus believed the wayward lad in the pig pen had enough good left in him that he could do something about his predicament. He could have a change of heart, turn his life around, and return home. This is what he did when “he came to himself.”​

 

[prism]

“Born Again”​

Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that “born again” is employed the way Calvinists use the expression. It is not a question of whether a man’s heart is opened or “quickened”—or is made aware of his need for salvation—prior to faith and repentance. We agree that, indeed, his heart is opened. But how? Through the message of salvation (Rom. 10:17). “Born again” is never used in conjunction with the opening of a man’s heart prior to believing and repenting—never once. “Born again” or “born from above” is used in only two portions of the new covenant scriptures. They are John 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:23.​

“None Are Righteous” & “No One Seeks God”​

Paul is describing the wretched condition of fallen man—all fallen men. They are inherently wicked, wretched, full of bitterness and hatred. Only by God’s revealing Himself to man, through the message of salvation or through creation, are they “enabled” or inclined to come to Him. Paul describes some of this in Romans 1 and in 10:17. But whichever method man uses to approach his God, it is not something he does apart from the working of God. God does His part. Man does his part.

Yes, of course, man is “dead in his sins.” But if dead, how can he revive himself and exercise free will? The man who is spiritually dead retains his senses. He can hear, speak, make decisions, issue judgments, and either reject or accept the Gospel message. And that is because he has free choice, as Jesus said in John 7:17. Being spiritually dead is not like being biologically dead. When biologically dead, the body reserves no senses. When spiritually dead, the body and spirit possess all of them.​

Is The Sinner Like A Corpse?​

Calvinists claim that the sinner is like a corpse. He can do nothing. If he is of the elect, God works in him “to will and to do.” In light of scripture, one can accept the influence of the Spirit in conversion and still conclude that a person is free to accept or reject the Gospel, to believe or disbelieve it. Remove human responsibility from the equation and you have a Bible that makes no sense. If when Jesus said "He who has ears to hear let him hear" they were not free to hear (respond), He would be talking nonsense. He was amazed at the disbelief of some because He well knew they could have and should have believed (Mark 6:6).

What about the prodigal son? He was in a swine pen far from his father and far from home—lost, which is worse than death. At this point in the story, Jesus pays a compliment to the human race in saying that the prodigal “came to himself.” That indicates that Jesus did not believe in total hereditary depravity, with apologies to Calvinists. Jesus believed the wayward lad in the pig pen had enough good left in him that he could do something about his predicament. He could have a change of heart, turn his life around, and return home. This is what he did when “he came to himself.”​

I hope you realize that many here (including myself) would be refuting much of what you are espousing but they don't because it's OFF TOPIC...or at least by now you have made it quite clear what type of Calvinist you are.

 

[Eleanor]

“Born Again”​

Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that “born again” is employed the way Calvinists use the expression. It is not a question of whether a man’s heart is opened or “quickened”—or is made aware of his need for salvation—prior to faith and repentance. We agree that, indeed, his heart is opened. But how? Through the message of salvation (Rom. 10:17). “Born again” is never used in conjunction with the opening of a man’s heart prior to believing and repenting—never once.​

What do you think man "cannot (even) see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (Jn 3:3) means.

“Born again” or “born from above” is used in only two portions of the new covenant scriptures. They are John 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:23.​

And? How many times must it be stated before it is true?

Spiritually dead mean cannot spiritually, see, hear or make any spiritual response. They must be brought back to spiritual life in the rebirth by the Holy Spirit in order to do so..

“None Are Righteous” & “No One Seeks God”
Paul is describing the wretched condition of fallen man—all fallen men. They are inherently wicked, wretched, full of bitterness and hatred. Only by God’s revealing Himself to man, through the message of salvation or through creation, are they “enabled” or inclined to come to Him. Paul describes some of this in Romans 1 and in 10:17. But whichever method man uses to approach his God, it is not something he does apart from the working of God. God does His part. Man does his part.​

And God's part is the rebirth so that man can see, hear and respond.
And God's part is the gift of faith (Php 1:29, Ac 13:48, Ac 18:27, 2 Pe 1:1, Ro 12:3) by which man believes.

Yes, of course, man is “dead in his sins.” But if dead, how can he revive himself and exercise free will? The man who is spiritually dead retains his senses. He can hear, speak, make decisions, issue judgments, and either reject or accept the Gospel message. And that is because he has free choice, as Jesus said in John 7:17. Being spiritually dead is not like being biologically dead. When biologically dead, the body reserves no senses. When spiritually dead, the body and spirit possess all of them.​

Not according to Jesus (Jn 3:3-5) and the apostle.

Spiritually dead men do not have the Holy Spirit and can make no spiritual response such as spiritual hearing, spiritual seeing, spiritual faith, etc. (1 Co 2:14).

Is The Sinner Like A Corpse?​

Calvinists claim that the sinner is like a corpse. He can do nothing. If he is of the elect, God works in him “to will and to do.” In light of scripture, one can accept the influence of the Spirit in conversion and still conclude that a person is free to accept or reject the Gospel, to believe or disbelieve it. Remove human responsibility from the equation and you have a Bible that makes no sense. If when Jesus said "He who has ears to hear let him hear" they were not free to hear (respond), He would be talking nonsense. He was amazed at the disbelief of some because He well knew they could have and should have believed (Mark 6:6).

What about the prodigal son? He was in a swine pen far from his father and far from home—lost, which is worse than death. At this point in the story, Jesus pays a compliment to the human race in saying that the prodigal “came to himself.” That indicates that Jesus did not believe in total hereditary depravity,​

Or being a parable, does it symbolize the operation of the Holy Spirit in the prodigal, reviving his spiritual life and giving him a desire to return to his father, just as he does in all the born again who were prodigal until their rebirth?

with apologies to Calvinists. Jesus believed the wayward lad in the pig pen had enough good left in him that he could do something about his predicament. He could have a change of heart, turn his life around, and return home. This is what he did when “he came to himself.”​

With apologies to your theology, what Jesus "believed" is not stated in the parable.
What he believed is:
what he said; i.e., one cannot see (much less believe and respond to) the kingdom of God apart from the new birth (Jn 3;5), and
what the NT teaches; i.e., the spiritually dead man can make no spiritual responses (1 Co 2:14).

 

[Red Baker]

I agreed~

John 8:1-9~"Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

The Pharisees had a active conscience~but, I would say the conscience and heart are not one and the same~though closely connected.

I want to look more into this later in the day, I'm too busy now.

What is the conscience and how does it work?

Proverbs 20:27~The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.​

Man is not an animal, and he is not like any animal. God Jehovah, Creator of heaven and earth, put something in man that makes him very different.

God gave man a conscience, and this conscience is a law, teacher, and judge for each man, woman, and child.

Our conscience is the candle of the LORD. This "light" from God inside you examines and judges your thoughts, words, and deeds. Man makes choices by more than instincts, for God gave every conscious person a conscience to help him know and do what is right.

The word conscience has two parts: con (with) + science (knowledge) = knowing within yourself about yourself. This invisible spirit inside you has a sense of right and wrong, and it will approve right things and condemn wrong things you do. It will also reflect on what others do and make judgments as to whether they are right or wrong.

Consider how you can have a thought within yourself and yet analyze and judge that thought as well. A man can only know himself by his conscience; he cannot know another person by it (Ist Cor 2:11). Sometimes your spirit is full of joy, and sometimes it is full of sadness, and no other person can fully feel or know your emotions (Proverbs 14:10).

Our belly in this proverb is metonymy for your heart and mind. It is a figure of speech that uses a part of the body to refer to what goes on there. When you are moved by love or fear, you can feel it in your belly. When it is love, you may say, “My stomach flipped.” When it is fear, you may say, “I am sick with fear.” According to the proverb, your conscience examines your entire inner person to help direct your choices in things.

Our conscience can convict us that what we or others have thought, said, or done is wrong (Rom 2:15). This internal sense of guilt can be very strong, and it can control or influence what you do or not do. The accusers of the woman taken in adultery left her alone, when their consciences were confronted about the justice of their actions (John 8:9).

How did you get a conscience? The LORD gave it to you, so it is called the candle of the LORD. It is a light from God to help you make decisions~ungodly judges are able to make decisions with wisdom base upon certain laws, or case that they have seen read, etc.

It also proves your sinfulness, for you have sinned against your conscience many times. Even if God has not condemned an action, it is sin for you, if your conscience condemns it (Romans 14:22-23; James 4:17).

All men have a conscience. Gentiles, reprobates, and the Pharisees had consciences, though hard to believe (Romans 2:15; 1:32; John 8:9). Amnon and Judas Iscariot had consciences (2nd Sam 13:1-2; Matt 27:3-5). The universal restraint and godly laws of men reflect this conscience, though their sorrow for sin is "not godly sorrow" (2nd. Cor 7:9-11). A conscience in an unregenerate man is simply one more source of condemnation for him.

 

[Red Baker]

“Born Again”​

​

“None Are Righteous” & “No One Seeks God”​

Paul is describing the wretched condition of fallen man—all fallen men. They are inherently wicked, wretched, full of bitterness and hatred. Only by God’s revealing Himself to man, through the message of salvation or through creation, are they “enabled” or inclined to come to Him. Paul describes some of this in Romans 1 and in 10:17. But whichever method man uses to approach his God, it is not something he does apart from the working of God. God does His part. Man does his part.

Yes, of course, man is “dead in his sins.” But if dead, how can he revive himself and exercise free will? The man who is spiritually dead retains his senses. He can hear, speak, make decisions, issue judgments, and either reject or accept the Gospel message. And that is because he has free choice, as Jesus said in John 7:17. Being spiritually dead is not like being biologically dead. When biologically dead, the body reserves no senses. When spiritually dead, the body and spirit possess all of them.​

Is The Sinner Like A Corpse?​

Calvinists claim that the sinner is like a corpse. He can do nothing. If he is of the elect, God works in him “to will and to do.” In light of scripture, one can accept the influence of the Spirit in conversion and still conclude that a person is free to accept or reject the Gospel, to believe or disbelieve it. Remove human responsibility from the equation and you have a Bible that makes no sense. If when Jesus said "He who has ears to hear let him hear" they were not free to hear (respond), He would be talking nonsense. He was amazed at the disbelief of some because He well knew they could have and should have believed (Mark 6:6).

What about the prodigal son? He was in a swine pen far from his father and far from home—lost, which is worse than death. At this point in the story, Jesus pays a compliment to the human race in saying that the prodigal “came to himself.” That indicates that Jesus did not believe in total hereditary depravity, with apologies to Calvinists. Jesus believed the wayward lad in the pig pen had enough good left in him that he could do something about his predicament. He could have a change of heart, turn his life around, and return home. This is what he did when “he came to himself.”​

Buff, I'm going to do what you said we do not do~I'm going to take each part of this mess you have posted and show just how blind you are. Look for it tomorrow after 8:00 est. Five o'clock your time.

 

[Carbon]

Red Baker & A Few Other Calvinists:

Before I specifically get into additional doctrinal aspects of Calvinism with you, allow me to share a few experiences with my Calvinist brothers—yes, they are my blood brothers in Christ although, as I view the matter, they are in error on this topic. Later, I hope to deal with isues such as, 1] Must the Elect Choose to be Saved? 2] Is God’s Grace Irresistible? 3] Must one be “Born Again” Prior to Faith and Repentance?​

Have at it.

Most every Calvinist believer I’ve ever confronted has claimed misrepresentation. Their belief system is so multi-colored and in such dire chaos that it is almost impossible to “pin them down” to a specific point. Rarely—if ever—can you find two of them who understand their belief system alike.​

It's just that you really don't understand. It's quite simple actually.

The ordinary Calvinist will jump from pillar to post when he sees himself between a theological rock and a creedal hard place, denying this and affirming that—and all in an effort to free himself.​

Really? I doubt that.

The average Calvinist is less than virtuous with his many-sided theology. I’m speaking from experience. There are exceptions, of course, but if my experiences with Calvinists at large embody any validity, the average Calvinist is less than ethical with his Calvinistic perspectives.​

Speaking from experience? Ha, okay.

I have dealt with various belief systems all of my life, but I must confess that the Calvinistic belief system is among the most perplexing and multicolored I’ve had the experience of encountering.​

Because you don't get it.

It is not that I have failed to decipher and give fair research into the many-sided facets of Calvinism. I truly have.​

Yea, sure.

But irrespective of my efforts through the years to grasp the doctrinal goals and teachings of my Calvinist brothers, I am still at a loss to “tie this belief system down” to a specific order of comprehensible and consistent components.​

I hope one day you may see.

This belief system is so vast, so detailed, so puzzling, so mystifying, and so cluttered with theological “odds and ends” that hardly any two of its adherents can reach a rational consensus.​

I know whereof I speak, because a few years ago I joined a Calvinistic Yahoo discussion group on the Internet and remained on it for a lengthy period. I tried my utmost to “pin down” the Calvinistic contributors to this list, but without success. They hardly agreed among themselves. Quite a few of them, when looking for an “escape door,” distorted the very scriptures they professed to uphold—seemingly, as least as I saw it, knowingly and deliberately. Well, to make a long story short, they excommunicated me from the list. Some of them were ugly and rude, mean and disrespectful—and all in the name of the Lord.​

A Calvinist "Yahoo discussion group?" Wow, why didn't you say that. Oh, now I know you must have it all figured out.

Yes, as I noted above, Calvinists are my brothers in the Lord. However, they truly do need to drop the Calvinistic persuasion and place the totality of their allegiance in Jesus. The main thrusts of the Calvinistic belief system and Jesus’ precepts and principles are truly at odds, in my opinion.

More later. ​

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Eleanor]

A Calvinist "Yahoo discussion group?" Wow, why didn't you say that. Oh, now I know you must have it all figured out.

Write 'em down, keep 'em brief, start with the most difficult for you:

sovereign election (as in Jacob, Ro 9:10-12, and as in sovereign rebirth, Jn 3:3)
predestination to salvation
justification
glorification


Let's see if we can't at least help you get it right.

I'm thinking you simply don't accept what the Scriptures state on the subject, or don't accept Scriptural reconciliation with itself.

 

[Carbon]

For now ill just discuss this one point. Even though it is in the wrong thread. If you really want to continue discussing these, start a thread.

Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that “born again” is employed the way Calvinists use the expression.​

Just because you said so?
You will have to pick a place and prove it wrong. Good luck with taking scripture and distorting it to make your beliefs show.

It is not a question of whether a man’s heart is opened or “quickened”​

So, God opening Lydia's heart so she could believe had nothing to do with it? Acts 6:14. ahhh, okay.

—or is made aware of his need for salvation—prior to faith and repentance.​

Huh?

We agree that, indeed, his heart is opened. But how? Through the message of salvation (Rom. 10:17).​

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Acts 6:14. Umm, how was her heart opened?

“Born again” is never used in conjunction with the opening of a man’s heart prior to believing and repenting—never once. “Born again” or “born from above” is used in only two portions of the new covenant scriptures. They are John 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:23.​

I think you are seriously wrong.

Now either stop hijacking the thread, stop discussing it, or start another thread. Your choice.

 

[Carbon]

Write 'em down, keep 'em brief, start with the most difficult for you:

sovereign election (as in Jacob, Ro 9:10-12, and as in sovereign rebirth, Jn 3:3)
predestination to salvation
justification
glorification


Let's see if we can't at least help you get it right.

I'm thinking you simply don't accept what the Scriptures state on the subject, or don't accept Scriptural reconciliation with itself.

 

[QVQ]

Are you speaking to me? I don't even believe in some of the five points of Calvinism. Here's where I stand:

Those are my posted test results. I did not mention you anywhere in that post. I did mention @prism and noted it as a quote.

 

[atpollard]

What Type of Calvinist Am I?
Your Result: Reformed Baptist

86%
You hold to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which is basically the Walmart version of the Westminster Confession of Faith. You claim that Presbyterians have bad Covenant Theology, even though yours makes no sense. You'd be better off as a Dispensationalist. [HEY, that wasn’t nice!]


78%
High Calvinist

74%
Augustinian Calvinist

68%
Dispensationalist Calvinist

63%
Reformed Presbyterian

48%
Moderate Calvinist

47%
Hyper Calvinist

20%
Low Calvinist
0%
Pelagian or Semi-Pelagian

 

[atpollard]

I don't believe in Total Depravity. That's because it's clear that every person is born with a conscience.

You probably need to read what the doctrine of Total Depravity actually claims.

”I do not think it means, what you think it means.” - Inigo Montoya

 

[fastfredy0]

The Staff is always watching for Posters who begin as Calvinists, but start to deny it...

Oh, oh ... am I still on team Calvinist ?????

 

[Arial]

Nowhere in scripture is there any indication that “born again” is employed the way Calvinists use the expression. It is not a question of whether a man’s heart is opened or “quickened”—or is made aware of his need for salvation—prior to faith and repentance. We agree that, indeed, his heart is opened. But how? Through the message of salvation (Rom. 10:17). “Born again” is never used in conjunction with the opening of a man’s heart prior to believing and repenting—never once. “Born again” or “born from above” is used in only two portions of the new covenant scriptures. They are John 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 1:23.

Except where it says in scripture, John 3, to be exact, that a man cannot enter the kingdom or even see it unless he is born from above. And my heart, for one so there are bound to be be countless others, was not born again through the message of the gospel. When I did hear the gospel and understood what it was saying, I believed it. I had heard it before, to be sure, because I had a redeemed brother who would not shut up about it. And I word it like that because that is how I felt about listening to it. I didn't believe a word of it. Seven years of that. And then one morning I woke up knowing that every word in the Bible was true and set out to read them. So don't arrive at a doctrine or against a doctrine by putting all people in the same box with you.

Paul is describing the wretched condition of fallen man—all fallen men. They are inherently wicked, wretched, full of bitterness and hatred. Only by God’s revealing Himself to man, through the message of salvation or through creation, are they “enabled” or inclined to come to Him. Paul describes some of this in Romans 1 and in 10:17. But whichever method man uses to approach his God, it is not something he does apart from the working of God. God does His part. Man does his part.

Man's part is to believe. John 6:28-29 Then they said to Him, "What must we do, to be doing the workds of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

 

[Eleanor]

Except where it says in scripture, John 3, to be exact, that a man cannot enter the kingdom or even see it unless he is born from above. And my heart, for one so there are bound to be be countless others, was not born again through the message of the gospel. When I did hear the gospel and understood what it was saying, I believed it. I had heard it before, to be sure, because I had a redeemed brother who would not shut up about it. And I word it like that because that is how I felt about listening to it. I didn't believe a word of it. Seven years of that. And then one morning I woke up knowing that every word in the Bible was true

Precisely the revelation and conviction to me after 15 years (and in the book of Leviticus!), and with the same power and glory!

and set out to read them. So don't arrive at a doctrine or against a doctrine by putting all people in the same box with you.

Man's part is to believe. John 6:28-29 Then they said to Him, "What must we do, to be doing the workds of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

And his faith is also God's work in him, a gift (Php 1:29, Ac 13:48, Ac 18:27, 2 Pe 1:1, Ro 12:2).

 

[Arial]

Yes, of course, man is “dead in his sins.” But if dead, how can he revive himself and exercise free will? The man who is spiritually dead retains his senses. He can hear, speak, make decisions, issue judgments, and either reject or accept the Gospel message. And that is because he has free choice, as Jesus said in John 7:17. Being spiritually dead is not like being biologically dead. When biologically dead, the body reserves no senses. When spiritually dead, the body and spirit possess all of them.​

I haven't heard anyone claim that dead is sins means biologically dead, or that is the same as being biologically dead. We are spiritually dead until the Holy Spirit quickens us to life. And what is that quickening but a new birth? Those who are spiritually dead cannot understand spiritual things. And they sure don't want to give up their sins.

Calvinists claim that the sinner is like a corpse. He can do nothing

That is not what Calvinists claim. You say we always say that people misunderstand or misstate the doctrines. The reason we say that is because they do. If you did understand it you would not say things like what you say above. Calvinism teaches that man can't choose CHRIST (and the only way to God is in CHRIST) because he doesn't want to. He has the faculty of choice to choose Him, but He won't because it is against His own will to do so. Such is the plight of those born in Adam.

Remove human responsibility from the equation and you have a Bible that makes no sense. If when Jesus said "He who has ears to hear let him hear" they were not free to hear (respond), He would be talking nonsense. He was amazed at the disbelief of some because He well knew they could have and should have believed (Mark 6:6).

Calvinism doesn't remove human responsibility from the equation. You are equating choice with responsibility. We are responsible for our choices but that says nothing about whether or not we are able to choose Christ. We have the natural ability to choose Him. In our natural state we don't want to.

Was Jesus talking nonsense when He gave spiritual truths in parables and then told His disciples that He did that so that they wouldn't hear what He was saying. "He who has ears to hear let him hear" was spoken to people who had ears to hear and didn't understand. Anyone who truly understands the gospel, the person and work of Jesus, and their need for Him, would choose Him. I mean, really, if a tornado was barreling towards you and someone offered you safe shelter, how many people in that situation would not take the shelter? None.

What about the prodigal son? He was in a swine pen far from his father and far from home—lost, which is worse than death. At this point in the story, Jesus pays a compliment to the human race in saying that the prodigal “came to himself.” That indicates that Jesus did not believe in total hereditary depravity, with apologies to Calvinists. Jesus believed the wayward lad in the pig pen had enough good left in him that he could do something about his predicament. He could have a change of heart, turn his life around, and return home. This is what he did when “he came to himself.”

It was a parable using a everyday motiff to illustrate a truth. Jesus was telling the story, He wasn't in it, so placing thoughts into His mind is pointless. "Came to himself" is not a doctrinal statement, so don't try and disprove a doctrine with it. It is an expression of a recognition of himself, in tha parable, in the pig pen. "He could have a chance of heart, turn his life around, and return home." is purely a humanistic, self help, straight out of how to be the best that you can be seminars and books. It isn't biblical.

And if anyone knew and understood "hereditary depravity" better stated as the imputation of Adam's sin to all his progeny, it was Jesus. My gosh! He died on the cross to undo Adam's sin and it effects on the human being! That is why Paul calls Him the second Adam!

 

[Arial]

Precisely the revelation and conviction to me after 15 years (and in the book of Leviticus!), and with the same power and glory!

Wonderful isn't it? It is something that only someone who has experienced the same thing can understand when it is said.

Precisely the revelation and conviction to me after 15 years (and in the book of Leviticus!), and with the same power and glory!

And his faith is also God's work in him, a gift (Php 1:29, Ac 13:48, Ac 18:27, 2 Pe 1:1, Ro 12:2).

Yes. One of the central problems is that we don't have that faith in us. It is not ordinary faith. We were created having it----God was all Adam and Eve knew. But that is not the case anymore. This faith is trusting God. The very first deception was that He can't be trusted, and here we are. Well not you and me and a multitude of others, who have been given that faith back, right along with the rest righteousness. All in Christ. There is no other way.

 

[Musician]

Pelagian or Semi-Pelagian

90%
You are not Reformed by any means, whether it be ecclesiologically, eschatologically, or soteriologically. You probably believe that Calvinism is a damnable heresy.

 

[atpollard]

Oh, oh ... am I still on team Calvinist ?????

Well, he did murder Servetus.

 

[atpollard]

Hmmmm. Hyper Calvinist 58%? Dont think so.
Dispensationalist 46% . Nope! Not a chance.

I think you and Hypercalvinists probably agree on half of those questions asked … it is the OTHER HALF that make all the difference!