JFJ Forums

Full Version: Calvinism
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
How do Jews for Jesus view Calvinism or as some would call it the doctrines of grace?
How do you view it?  (Berean)  Paying members only!?
If you can't earn salvation, why would God take away something you can't earn? We would have to reject it. (Sad thought)  Calvinism to me is saying God predestined people without their choice. Predestined to me with some forethought is accepting the call and not looking back with foolish questions as to whether you were called or not.

Please accept my forthright answer I was not trying to be dogmatic just honest.
Berian: The problem is that there are innumerable degrees of Calvinism. By todays standards Jacob Arminius was a "mild calvinist". It wasnt until the council of Dort that distinct doctrinal lines were defined {and later redefined by hyper- calvinists}. Arminius had good insight and was humble enough not to proclaim all of the answers to Gods soveriegnty.
Personally I find that either view needs to use scripture out of context to support its belief. These intricate operations of YHWH were never defined in scripture 1st. I believe it was the desire for the forbidden fruit that caused TULIP to come into being. I doubt you will find such active imaginations here. Priorities seem to be better focused.

How much internal conflict would have been avoided if someone just said "I dont know".
Amen Joshua,
Any theology not based on the grace and truth of the Lord Jesus would be built on sand.
cor517 Wrote:

How do you view it?  (Berean)  Paying members only!?


I am a Calvinist. I am not such because I follow the teachings of John Calvin, but because I believe that his teaching reflect what the Bible teaches on various points. I view it as the most accurate form of soteriology there is.

I was just curious what others thought here.

I am not interested in stirring up anything though. From what I can tell it would not be deemed profitable here and who am I to ruin a good thing. :-)

Blessings.
Amen Berean John Calvin is quoteable:

I believe he said,
"We are not saved by faith plus works, we are saved by a faith that works."

Also as a point of interest,
Thomas Aquinas as He approached death said,
"All my theology is straw".

There is a simplicity in trust.  Smile
I believe that calvinism is a necessary part of conflicting doctrines. It keeps others from slipping to far into arminianism and open theism. I was a staunch calvinist for 2 decades and defended it actively. After honestly revewing the scripture that supported each side I found myself dealing with conflictatory scripture in the same way that arminianist deal with numerous discepencies in their doctrine. Ultimatly on either side I found that scripture was taken out of context.
Do we calvinists do that? After a close examination on Romans 8, 9 +11 and Ephesians 1 + 2 I found that Pauls teachings in these passages were not so "individually" specific but rather national in point.

Ironic however that in my quest to portray the soveriegnty of God to others through these teachings I believe all sides walked away a little more perplexed in the foreknowlege of God. Paul even marveled in its complexities {Of course his calling seems to overrule free choice}.
It an interesting topic for our little minds to play with. Unfortunatly we are to finite and linier to grasp the ways of God.

Joke: Man walks into a divided assemly of calvinists and arminianists. Not knowing who to stand with he went over to the calvinists.
"Who sent you here," they asked.
"I wasn't sent, I just came," he replied.
""You dont belong here, said one, You belong over there with them" {Pointing to the arminians}.
Unfortunatley when he got there he told them that he was sent to them and was thrown out of the assembly. Toungue
I like the more "God entranced" Calvinists...   John Piper... RC SProul... Jonathan Edwards  The original modern missions movement started with calvinists  and now is mostly arminian.  I find calvinists to be a little more presise in what they mean  

on the other hand I have to appreciate  the Methodist  "William WIlberforce"  As I understand it   Charles Welsey wrote his last letter on his deathbed to Wilberforce to encourage him not to give up the fight against slavery   God looks on the heart  and It's  a mistake not to appreciate some Christians because of some differences in non essentials and its a two way street
"Predestine" in the book of Romans is the music of joy. Though all things change, all things work together for good for those who love G-d. Pain protects from further injury. In G-d' plan for our life, all the pain of life is for good. That is because we know G-d has called each one of us in Christ.

Deut 7
[6] For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Jer 33
[24] Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
Matthew 12
[18] Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Reference URL's