Thread: Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?
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Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?
Posted : 2 Sep, 2011 12:40 PM
Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?
Today I decided to drop by BaptistBoard, a online Baptist bulletin board where there are discussions on Baptist history, theology, evangelism, and other Christian denominations. I usually spend a few minutes in each of those forums and read 2-3 articles that appeal to me. Usually, the Other Christian Denominations forum is full of discussions on Catholicism, atheism, and everything in between. I was a bit surprised to find the forum full of discussions on Calvinism, considering that about 10% of Baptists are Calvinists and about 25% of new Baptist seminary graduates are Calvinists.
So, the questions "What is Calvinism" and "Is Calvinism a False Doctrine" in a forum labeled "Other Christian Denominations" somewhat begs the question "Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?" From my viewpoint outside of Calvinism and the Baptist faith, I can easily answer "yes", based on the meaning of "denomination". Denomination is of Latin origin and means "from the name". We should ask if Calvinism de-nominated from another branch of Christianity and from whom. John Calvin and his followers did in fact denominate and they denominated from the Catholic Church. So Calvinism is a denomination.
Is Calvinism a false doctrine? No, Calvinism is not a doctrine, but a collection of doctrines, some true and some false. As we know, all truth is from and of God and leads us to know and love God more fully. In that light, the true doctrines within Calvinism lead us to love and serve God; however, the false doctrines present impediments to knowing God fully. False doctrines are also known as heresies. So, the presence of heresies within Calvinism makes Calvinism a heresy and a popular modern heresy at that. That is what lies at the heart of the current conflict between Calvinists and non-Calvinists within the many Baptist associations.
Fortunately, many folks are attracted to Truth and always seek the Truth. These folks will eventually reject those doctrines that Calvinism got wrong, but will retain those doctrines Calvinism has right and move into more mainline Protestant denominations that contain an even greater proportion of the truth. Some will even move into Catholicism, Judaism, and Orthodoxy in search of the fullness of Truth. The recent Pew survey indicates that about a third of Christians are actively engaged in this search for the fullness of Truth.
Those interested in reading the stories of Calvinists who sought out the fullness of truth will find no shortage on the Internet. Here are a few:
Marcus Grodi
Rodney Beason
Christopher Cuddy
Where does one find the fullness of truth? In the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 ~ But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Sourced ~ Christian Apologitics Society.com
*** All people have there own unique perspective & opinion...it didn't list the author but none the less it is interesting...xo
:applause:...yeah, if there was as much debate and discussion and talk about the teachings and Doctrine of Jesus Christ, His birth, His ministry, His death, His resurrection, and His soon return... as there is about the Doctrine and teahcings of Calvin... just think how many souls would/might/could be saved, how many Christians believers would/could grow into spiritual maturity and strength in the word, how many would/could/might be healed, saved and delivered out of sins and spiritual bondages emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically!:yay::glow:
(your words) �� ARMINIANS are what just showed up in the last quarter of the history of the Christian faith, but she would not know that because part of the shallow, emotionally driven Christianity of Modern America is to IGNORE church history��
Church History goes back 2,000 years. Calvinism is 420 years old (give or take)�2,000 divided by 420 equals � less than a Quarter of the History of Christianity. So�are you
��the shallow, emotionally driven Christianity��?
But that is not the main reason I am Responding.
�The Pillar and Foundation of The TRUTH�
You have to Ask Yourself��Self�Just which Church was Around back then when that Scripture was Written?�
The Only Truthful Answer is The Catholic Church!
I know you guys do not want to hear that�but it is True!
1 Timothy 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God�s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Ephesians 3:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Matthew 18:15-17
New International Version (NIV)
Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 �If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that �every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.�[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 16:15-18
New International Version (NIV)
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
15 �But what about you?� he asked. �Who do you say I am?� 16 Simon Peter answered, �You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.�
17 Jesus replied, �Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.
Christ did not want 35,000 Different churches�each teaching a different doctrine�but Jesus KNEW Just What we would Do. He Knew�that is Why He Gave His Bride The Holy Spirit.
I�m not asking you to Convert�just to Search your Heart�for The Truth.
