http://www.examiningcalvinism.com/files/Complaints/ac_sneaky.html
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Calvinists are Sneaky
A new article was added to the "Common Charges" section, which basically asserts that Calvinists tend to be sneaky, when trying to discuss the atonement with other Christians. They'll say things like, "Christ came and died for sin," or that "Christ died for sinners," while not fully disclosing exactly what they believe about it. Here's the article:
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3 comments:
Don't you think you're being just a wee bit harsh here? Seems pretty biblical to me, Romans 5:6, 1 Peter 3:18. I dont see that Calvinists should be expected to explain TULIP everytime they speak of Christ's death to maintain their integrity.
(In order not to be accused of being sneaky- let me 'admit' I am a Calvinist.. Oh the shame..)
Hello Ross,
Thank you for your perspective.
I have no problem with someone saying “Jesus died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6) or that He died “for sins once for all” (1st Peter 3:18), unless that person is intentionally using verbiage designed for theological camouflage.
So I agree that Calvinists do not always have to explain TULIP every time they discuss the "L" in TULIP, unless they are being intentionally vague, in which case, the honesty question is raised. For example, consider Billy’s perspective in the article:
Billy Birch explains: “If I cannot legitimately say to the sinner, ‘God genuinely loves you and desires your personal salvation,’ or, ‘Jesus died personally for you,’ and REALLY believe that in my heart and mind, then how can I believe in the legitmacy of the gospel message? I would then be forced to preach this message: God loved the world in this manner: he sent his Son to save sinners (knowing inwardly that I mean that God loves ‘the elect’ and will save ‘the elect’). Would I not inwardly struggle with this message, preaching such to people? Would I not be saying to myself inwardly: Billy, you know that God loved the elect and sent his Son to atone for the elect; maybe you should be honest with the congregation.” (Society of Evangelical Arminians)
So the question is over honesty, and that's why Bob also comments:
Bob: “But that is yet another problem they cannot be honest, but must intentionally mislead by using blanket statements and carefully constructed words so as to not state something that goes against their system.” (Society of Evangelical Arminians)
Those comments were taken from www.evangelicalarminians.org
Greetings All,
WE PREACH A CONSISTENT GOSPEL SINCE WE DONT KNOW WHO AMONG THE CROWD OF UNBELIEVERS ARE ELECT OF GOD. FOR A CALVINIST TO PROCLAIM: "WHOMSOEVER WILLS LET HIM COME" IS NOT CONTRARY TO CALVINISM SINCE ONLY THE ELECT WILL TRUELY BE DRAWN BY THE FATHER.HERE'S A BROAD OUTLINE OF HOW I PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST:
I show the person their sin by using the law..."The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ". THE MOST MEMORABLE ONE-ON-ONE ENCOUNTER I HAD WAS WITH A COLLEAGUE WHO SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THAT HE WAS A SINNER. ITS FUNNY THAT THE SAME GUY DENIED THAT HE WAS A LIAR FOR ABOUT 20MINUTES WHEN I STARTED SHOWING HIM HOW HE SINNED AGAINST A HOLY GOD, USING THE LAW. I would also teach on the Holiness of God and his sovereignty over his creation and clearly show the rift between unclean, filthy humans of whom the scripture says: "there is none that seeketh after God AND there is no fear of God before their eyes" and an immeasurably Holy God. Now having the listener fully aware of the problem i move on to the sacrifice of Christ and explain how sinners are justified by faith and reconciled unto God.
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