Why so much against Calvinism?

[Dave_Regenerated]

For me it had more to do with the environment I was in online as many of you know. And I will come out of the gate saying my approach was wrong, there was ego involved trying to disprove and attack the beliefs I held dearly for so long. I think ( and this is no excuse for my behavior) the antagonistic nature of the other place fueled that dissension and discord. That was immature on my part and I take full responsibility.

I was talking about this with my wife the other day who is very excited about her daily study with her womens group on the Holy Spirit.
She would here from me about my complaints all of the time when I was a calvinist and most recently not one. She would tell me to stop wasting my time online. The other day after talking with @Carbon I told her about our conversation and the reconciliation. She was very glad to hear about that and we talked about the unity in the body and the building others up in the faith and not tearing one another down. She said thats what the Holy Spirit would want is unity among brothers as Calvinists and Arminians. I agreed with her and it was rather humbling to look into the mirror and see what I was really doing in my heart. So for that I ask all those who know me that I have not asked personally to forgive me for that behavior as its not only an insult to you, most of all its an insult to Christ.

Like I said in another thread here my roots and foundation were in a Dutch Reformed Church with a pastor who mentored me for a couple of years as a new believer and I know the doctrines of grace like the back of my hand as they were deeply ingrained in me along with Gods Sovereignty. Now I want my speech to be seasoned with salt that it might give grace to those who hear and give an answer to each person.

And the bottom like we are on the same team serving Christ and the cause of the gospel. We may have different views on what that looks like but like Paul- as long as Christ is being preached I can rejoice Philippians 1:18-20. So now I'm looking for balance ( which is not compromise) in my approach with others and not out to "win" any arguments.

So who would you recommend reading or watching that supports your beliefs?

 

[civic]

So who would you recommend reading or watching that supports your beliefs?

Personally I don't thing any systematic has it all right. I was an oddball as a Calvinist- much like MacArthur I rejected the reformed view of eschatology and I did not uphold reformed covenant theology. I bought into the doctrines of grace and the 5 solas wholeheartedly. Right now I don't have anyone I back fully. I still like many Calvinist Theologians/Scholars as I do Arminian scholars.

If I had to pick a good or recommend one then I would say Arminius and Grotius Oden, Olsen and Keener are good ones.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Calvinists, what do you think are the reasons? Why?

Because the concept of not being in control or unimportant drives men in general to emotional and illogical responses. Worse...if they are ill educated or among a majority of secular men they have hearty approval of their sub-biblical views.

I could post a more scathing commentary and call their salvation into question but...I used to be one of them. It took a lot of patient chipping away, application, re-application, and inescapable questions to finally pierce the thick shell of "but mah free wilz!"

 

[ReverendRV]

Personally I don't thing any systematic has it all right. I was an oddball as a Calvinist- much like MacArthur I rejected the reformed view of eschatology and I did not uphold reformed covenant theology. I bought into the doctrines of grace and the 5 solas wholeheartedly. Right now I don't have anyone I back fully. I still like many Calvinist Theologians/Scholars as I do Arminian scholars.

If I had to pick a good or recommend one then I would say Arminius and Grotius Oden, Olsen and Keener are good ones.

May you are like David Jeremiah?

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Personally I don't thing any systematic has it all right. I was an oddball as a Calvinist- much like MacArthur I rejected the reformed view of eschatology and I did not uphold reformed covenant theology. I bought into the doctrines of grace and the 5 solas wholeheartedly. Right now I don't have anyone I back fully. I still like many Calvinist Theologians/Scholars as I do Arminian scholars.

If I had to pick a good or recommend one then I would say Arminius and Grotius Oden, Olsen and Keener are good ones.

Pfft...we are much alike. However you are one of the few who I can claim helped me on my road TOO Calvinism long long ago and far away, Civic.

So I'll happily blame you in at least part. Let that rest on your conscience.

 

[civic]

May you be like David Jeremiah?

I like him. I always have like his preaching/teaching.

 

[civic]

Pfft...we are much alike. However you are one of the few who I can claim helped me on my road TOO Calvinism long long ago and far away, Civic.

So I'll happily blame you in at least part. Let that rest on your conscience.

What was your old screen name. You can PM me if you want. Thanks !

And I make no apolgies for my beliefs past or present. You never know I may end up back full circle again as a Dutch Reformed.

 

[ReverendRV]

Pfft...we are much alike. However you are one of the few who I can claim helped me on my road TOO Calvinism long long ago and far away, Civic.

So I'll happily blame you in at least part. Let that rest on your conscience.

I agree...

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

What was your old screen name. You can PM me if you want. Thanks !

<--TigerBunny, PapaLandShark...to name a few that you'd recognize.

 

[civic]

<--TigerBunny, PapaLandShark...to name a few that you'd recognize.

My old buddy papa. Great to see you my friend. And its good to see you back online again. Don't be a stranger you have allot to offer others in the faith.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

What was your old screen name. You can PM me if you want. Thanks !

And I make no apolgies for my beliefs past or present. You never know I may end up back full circle again as a Dutch Reformed.

Dutch? Heaven forefend. Go full frothing at the mouth free willist before you go Replacement.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

My old buddy papa. Great to see you my friend. And its good to see you back online again. Don't be a stranger you have allot to offer others in the faith.

Good to see you as well, Civic. I'm still learning my limits. Many good friends here that I don't agree with on a daily basis so you'll see me about.

 

[civic]

Good to see you as well, Civic. I'm still learning my limits. Many good friends here that I don't agree with on a daily basis so you'll see me about.

I took my gloves off so you can use me as a punching bag . I can take a licking and keep on ticking

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

I took my gloves off so you can use me as a punching bag . I can take a licking and keep on ticking

Nah...that's decidedly what I don't want to do. And yet if I see what I consider error I will step in. Likely in a way I will regret later. Dunno if I'm a lost cause in that regard but I'm encouraged in that I'm still able to learn. A lot of very smart folks here that love the Lord.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Oh...and a bunch of weirdos. So...good company.

 

[civic]

Nah...that's decidedly what I don't want to do. And yet if I see what I consider error I will step in. Likely in a way I will regret later. Dunno if I'm a lost cause in that regard but I'm encouraged in that I'm still able to learn. A lot of very smart folks here that love the Lord.

I'm enjoying learning in my older years lol. This part of the journey in my 60's is fun. I can't wait until retirement when I have all day lol.

 

[civic]

Oh...and a bunch of weirdos. So...good company.

we attract like kind.

 

[Carbon]

For me it had more to do with the environment I was in online as many of you know. And I will come out of the gate saying my approach was wrong, there was ego involved trying to disprove and attack the beliefs I held dearly for so long. I think ( and this is no excuse for my behavior) the antagonistic nature of the other place fueled that dissension and discord. That was immature on my part and I take full responsibility.

I was talking about this with my wife the other day who is very excited about her daily study with her womens group on the Holy Spirit.
She would here from me about my complaints all of the time when I was a calvinist and most recently not one. She would tell me to stop wasting my time online. The other day after talking with @Carbon I told her about our conversation and the reconciliation. She was very glad to hear about that and we talked about the unity in the body and the building others up in the faith and not tearing one another down. She said thats what the Holy Spirit would want is unity among brothers as Calvinists and Arminians. I agreed with her and it was rather humbling to look into the mirror and see what I was really doing in my heart. So for that I ask all those who know me that I have not asked personally to forgive me for that behavior as its not only an insult to you, most of all its an insult to Christ.

Like I said in another thread here my roots and foundation were in a Dutch Reformed Church with a pastor who mentored me for a couple of years as a new believer and I know the doctrines of grace like the back of my hand as they were deeply ingrained in me along with Gods Sovereignty. Now I want my speech to be seasoned with salt that it might give grace to those who hear and give an answer to each person.

And the bottom like we are on the same team serving Christ and the cause of the gospel. We may have different views on what that looks like but like Paul- as long as Christ is being preached I can rejoice Philippians 1:18-20. So now I'm looking for balance ( which is not compromise) in my approach with others and not out to "win" any arguments.

I appreciate your honesty. You are forgiven and also I ask for forgiveness. My heart jumps for joy that we are brothers in Christ.

Blessings

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Your problem seems to belong to only you, because Reformed people who believe in predestination (by the way, that word is in the Bible itself, so how you can't believe that is another problem...) have never taught not to evangelise people. The opposite is the case. I must conclude that you picked that idea off of the internet somewhere.

The idea that "Calvinists" are against evangelism is one of the top 5 objections with no basis in reality. There have been *many* trees murdered remarking on this fact. All you have to do is look at the most prominent evangelists in the last 200 years to date. It just doesn't hold water.

 

[Dave_Regenerated]

The idea that "Calvinists" are against evangelism is one of the top 5 objections with no basis in reality. There have been *many* trees murdered remarking on this fact. All you have to do is look at the most prominent evangelists in the last 200 years to date. It just doesn't hold water.

Yes. The frustrating part of it is that the people that make that accusation seem stubbornly blind to the fallaciousness of their position, even if corrected. It isn't an argument based on reality but on a speculative theory or philosophy that holds no water.