"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.
As soon as you can show even an ounce of Biblical support for anything that you promote, I will be happy to consider your position. Otherwise, you are wasting your own time and everyone elses here by cluttering threads with YOUR opinion. YOUR opinion is not Biblical fact. You are a man and YOUR opinion falls under the label of "man's doctrine". Without any Biblical proof, all you are asserting is the doctrine of a man (PhillipJohn)
Please explain what doctrines you believe "Reformed Theology" consists of and then show from the Word of God how those doctrines are Scripturally errant.
Please explain what doctrines you believe "Calvinism" consists of and then show from the Word of God how those doctrines are Scripturally errant.
or....... as an alternative approach...... please explain your position on the THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD, PREDESTINATION, ELECTION, REPROBATION, TOTAL DEPRAVITY, ATONEMENT, THE GOSPEL, GRACE, SALVATION, ETC. ETC. and then show from the Word of God how YOUR position is the Biblical view and not just YOUR opinion.
By the way, how many times now have you been asked to provide Scripture for the things that you promote?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Truth, IWa has a point. I see it also. If you want to have a doctrinal argument over scripture with him according to doctrine, dont you think you should include scripture and your argument?
SCrioture 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
I'm not saying to ignore the preaching and teaching of humans, as this is Biblically correct. However, I encourage each to do their own studying and gain deeper understanding of why you believe what you believe.
We all will never fully agree on every aspect of Biblical teachings as Satan enjoys division among Christians.
I don't think it is wrong for Christians to discuss differences in understandings. I do think it is wrong for Christians to be childish in how they interact....no matter which side you believe is correct.
It is because so many untaught men, unregenerate men, now occupy the pulpits�that "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6) is being so widely and generally disseminated. Multitudes who have neither "tasted that the Lord is gracious" nor have "the fear of the Lord" in them�have from various motives and considerations, invaded the sacred calling of the ministry and out of the abundance of their corrupt hearts, they speak. Being blind themselves, they lead the blind into the ditch! Having no love for the Shepherd they�have none for the sheep, being but "hirelings." They are themselves "of the world" and therefore "the world hears them" (1 John 4:5), for they preach that which is acceptable unto fallen human nature, and as like attracts like, they gather around themselves a company of admirers who flatter and support them. They will bring in just enough of God's Truth to deceive the unwary, and give an appearance of orthodoxy to their message�but not sufficient of the Truth, especially the searching portions thereof�to render their hearers uncomfortable by destroying their false peace. They will name Christ but not preach Him; they will mention the Gospel but not expound it.
Some of these men will preach legality�under the pretense of furthering morality and honoring the Divine Law. They will preach up good works�but lay no foundation upon which they may be built. They confound justification and sanctification, making personal holiness to be the ground of the sinner's acceptance before God. They sow their vineyard with "divers seeds" (Deut. 22:9) so that Law and Gospel, Divine grace and creature performances are so mingled together that their distinctive characters are obliterated.
Others preach licentiousness under the guise of magnifying the grace of God. They omit the Divine call to repentance, say nothing about the necessity of forsaking our sins if we are to obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13), lay no stress upon regeneration as a being made "a new creature in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17)�but declare that the sinner has simply to accept Christ as his personal Savior�though his heart is still proud, without contrition and thoroughly in love with the world�and that eternal life is now his. The result of this preaching is well calculated to bolster up the deluded�for instead of insisting that saving faith is evidenced by its spiritual fruits, instead of teaching that the Christian life is a warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil, and that none but the overcomer will reach Heaven�they are assured�no matter how carnal their walk�that "once saved, always saved," and thus they are soothed in their sins, and comforted with a false peace until they awake in Hell. Shun all such preaching, my reader, as you would a deadly plague. "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes you to err from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27). A.W. Pink
