"IWA, you refer to yourself as one who adheres to the reformed doctrine" Where do I do this? I have specifically stated that I agree on all five points of doctrine in the TULIP. I held those views prior to knowing the TULIP existed. I have also stated that. The reason why I held them is because they are explicitly Biblical. I have also said that it is this TULIP that most often goes under the label of "Calvinism". A label that I am willing to accept merely as a summary of what I believe on those five points.
I adhere to what the Bible teaches. PERIOD! It is an historical fact that their was a return to biblical doctrine during the reformation. This was in contrast to the errant RCC doctrine. ALL Protestants emerged as a result of the Reformation in "protest" to the RCC church and their teachings. To now condemn "reformation theology" shows much ignorance of church history as well as of Scripture itself.
Now it is also a fact that many Protestants have now "returned to Rome" in some of their foundational doctrinal formulations. No matter what you wish to label it or call it, the current understanding that you, PJ, Jude, and others here articulate is not consistent with the Biblical doctrine declared throughout Scripture. The three of you are also dishonest in your approach when directly confronted with the question as to what it is that you do believe pertaining to the aforementioned doctrines always hiding behind the argument that you do not believe this or that or that you believe a little of both sides but never expressly articulating using Scripture what it is that you agree with or disagree with and why. It's always some kind of smoke and mirror diversion or ad hominem attack.
For the Record I do not agree with any part of reformation theology, no more than I believe you can serve TWO
Master's
Man's doctrine's and theology's have no place in the kingdom of God, and family of God.
Corrupted seed produce corrupted harvest.
To hate Calvinism is not at all to Hate Calvinist, It is the love of God to hate all evil.
It is love to want all those caught in that doctrine to be free from it's snare and hatred.
To be clear I always accept scripture as it is written, not as men interpret it.
To believe with the heart the written of God is the exact opposite men's interpretation's, that deny the word of God.
I make this statement not to attack anyone, just simply to say where I stand,
I as my father am not willing that any should perish.
�Scripture should be the basis of all doctrinal discussions. If people relied more on Scripture and less on man's interpretations, the Holy Spirit could do more in each of our lives.
Genesis 2:15-17 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (13) Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (14) Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (15) Their feet are swift to shed blood: (16) Destruction and misery are in their ways: (17) And the way of peace have they not known: (18) There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Ephesians 2:1-10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
IWA, your welcome I just call them as the Spirit in me shows me. I used to engage in doctrinal arguments over scripture but I have come to realise that it was a fruitless exercise.
It only left me frustrated. Do you ever feel frustrated. If so doesnt Jesus tell us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light?
I have come to realise that if I am feeling frustrated over something then I have stepped out of Jesus yoke and now doing this on my own.
My frustration level is pretty low these days because i know how to remain in Jesus yoke. It is a matter of this my friend....
Just as God asked Adam and Eve. Where are you? I have to answer this question before Him daily. When I am feeling frustrated I know that is a sure sign that I have moved away from God and now venturing out on my own.
All I see in the fruit of these sort of arguments is frustration. Frustration between brothers and brothers and sisters. This is not Gods will.
I dont know about you IWA and I am not saying this is your experience, but.......
I grew up in a home filled with arguing and conflict. Why? because no one oncluding my dad and mom knew how to communicate and listen. The ignorance of us children and lack of nuture cause us the need to be heard.
This deep need that went unfulfilled all of my childhood and still adult life created a great casim in my life.
This dymanic Of frustration and the need to be heard effected my life when I learned Gods word and tried to proclaim it.
The dysfunction of my heart and mind in my great need to be heard violated the pureness of Gods word in my approach to people.
