Theology Nerd joke...

Hello, how do you feel about Calvinism?

I have a lot of respect for the system of Calvinism. I once held to the entire system but I no longer do. I'm not one of those 'anti-Calvinist' guys who think the entire system is wrong.

Here is an extra credit reading assignment I had in a bible doctrines class in bible college. This is a PDF of the actual photocopy of the pages of the book along with the notes I wrote on the copied pages. This reading assignment really changed my mind about believing any single system of interpretation "has all the answers."

https://www.scribd.com/document/405679487/Salvation-Divine-Determinism-or-Human-Responsibility

HI James, unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to finish the article anytime soon, but having said that, I know enough of both sides to fully understand your view point. :)

I'm a recent "Convert" to Calvinsm and remembered how much I hated the other point of view. I now realized that both sides have valid arguments. Although I feel quite confident of the soteriology I had recently accepted, I will never see my Arminian Brothers and Sisters as the lesser. Even as there are Anti- on both sides.

Now I've asked you that question in hopes that you're not a vicious anti-Calvinist as I wanted to be among your followers on Imgflip, and now that I've met you, I'm very glad. :)

I hold to what people would call "Reformed" soteriology but not all five points and even less depending on they are defined and what passages of Scripture are used to support them. Here is a small chart that I made from some of the information contained in that article. Hope you can read it. Maybe I can reformat it and make it larger.

Vicious Anti-Arminians get a free pass from leaders like Sproul who says they're "barely saved," MacArthur who teaches."Arminianism is Heresy, smug condescending remarks from 5 point Calvinists who claim to be "educated" etc. Why is that NEVER chastened and okay to do? 3 point Calvinists are Biblical as are 3 point Arminians, Provisionalists and Molinists in proper context. Reading scripture from God's perspective minus removal of real Biblical things that theologians remove is how we should interpret scripture not the other way around. 4 but especially 5 point Calvinism and 5 point Arminianism is Phariseeism and nothing less who were also "educated" and note that liberals and Atheists claim the same and behave the same way. Exercising James 1:5 with God alone minus removal of things will give us a bridge over time and pain but well worth. Arminians are rarely heard from at least mainstream wise but 5 point Calvinist preachers teach a subtle Gnostic gospel and say all we want to hear with wicked intentions.

No the Bible itself has the answers not so called expository by devils of any end. There are true points to a Biblical perspective and can be bridged with God alone leading and a grueling process but is well worth it, build on relationship with God, spiritualizes our attributes from God, roots us in the rock and makes us bullet proof from either blatant heretics or subtle ones that say all the right things. You can't go wrong using James 1:5 with God alone during quiet time without auto removal of free will, middle knowledge, predestination etc. This is critical!

Since you are a "recent convert" to Reformed theology, I would like to impart some wisdom to you my brother.

I just hope that you are not in the "cage stage" and are still teachable.

I never went through the "cage stage" as a Calvinist because I was introduced to Calvinism before I was even saved. The first Christian book I ever read was The Canons of the Synod of Dort and shortly thereafter The Sovereignty of God by Author Pink.

I don't have a background of Arminianism or Traditionalism. It is usually those who come from such backgrounds who go "cage stage" when they start to believe the doctrines of grace.

You are going to come across terms such as "double predestination" and "equal ultimacy." First of all those do not mean the same thing. Secondly, "double predestination" is a logical conclusion to the fact that there is predestination.

The image of Table 7.2 is from "What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics"
By R. C. Sproul. If there is a "double" predestination where the elect are predestined to salvation and glorification and the reprobate are predestined to destruction and damnation, God is not actively causing the reprobate to rebel, He is simply leaving them in their natural fallen state.

Hi Brother, you can trust me that I'm not at that stage, despite my recent departation from Arminianism. :) I don't believe in Double Predestination, nor do I believe that we have not the responisbility to be holy, live a life of repentence and learning, and evangelize.

I'm actually evangelizing on Imgflip via, my memes and engaging the unbelieving, and sharing the Gospel to them.

thank you for your wisdom :)

Subtle Gnosticism is as demonic as Universalism! Go to God direct instead of canons, catechisms, confessions, Puritans and "reformed theology 5 point Calvinist preachers or any other "educated doctor of theology" Pharisees in your quiet time with God alone minus any theological glasses and get it bridged and see what most so called pastors are trying to do to people outside of obvious heresies to seasoned Christians by saying all the right stuff with subtle cognitive dissonance, gaslighting, projection, condescending smug "educated" remarks by obeying James 1:5 that instructs us to seek His wisdom and discernment not just wise counsel. No man or group deserves blind trust. Only God alone.