Post by SlowBro on Apr 4, 2006 11:54:06 GMT -5
First, I am not a Calvinist, I just agree with the five points. It's OK, call me a Calvinist, but I prefer "Christian." My identity is in Christ!
Second, I love you Arminians and other non-Calvinists. Most of my family is Arminian and I love to fellowship with them. I have no hostility toward you.
But I would like to clear up the point of John 3:16.
I have shared this verse with Atheists and didn't have to say a single Calvinistic thing to counteract it. I believe it with all of my heart. I just read it differently than you do
I read it in this way: "For God so loved the world [in what way did he love the world?], that he gave his only Son [wow!], that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [And why do they believe?]" (ESV)
My bible has a footnote that says the verse might also be translated to begin, "For this is how God loved the world..." It is amazing to me to consider that God gave anyone in the world HIS OWN SON for the forgiveness of sins when the universe should have exploded into everlasting judgement the day Adam sinned! The very fact that any are saved is truly astonishing! God should have damned us ALL to hell!
Is no one outraged at salvation? The God of the universe, deserving infinite glory and honor has been blasphemed a million times over by everyone and yet HE FORGIVES? What kind of justice is that? That is an outrage! A judge like that would be thrown off the bench in a week.
It's SO outrageous that God had to kill his Son to prove He was not unjust (Romans 3:25).
Is no one outraged about salvation? Most of us think we deserve salvation. Even if you remain a non-Calvinist, BE OUTRAGED AT SALVATION! And then be amazed that you are saved! And worship! And glorify His name! Thank Him for overcoming the greatest injustice of all time by giving His beloved to us!
Did you know that classic Calvinists believe in the universal call of the gospel just like you do?
When I see Arminian-sounding verses that say something like, "anyone who believes will have eternal life," I always ask, "why do they believe?" So I NEVER throw out those verses, I only consider the original source of someone's belief.
So for you who disagree with the five points, at least now you know we do agree with you on this point! Anyone who believes will be saved! There is indeed the universal call of the gospel. Only hyper-Calvinists deny this. Be aware of the difference.
Many non-Calvinists attack hyper-Calvinists. For some non-Calvinist websites I visit, I wouldn't know they were even talking about my beliefs unless I saw the term "Calvinist" here and there!
I join their attack! Hyper-Calvinism is indeed a twisting of scripture! But it doesn't represent my beliefs ;D
It is my hope that by this post you non-Calvinists will live with us in an understanding way and not burn straw men.
Second, I love you Arminians and other non-Calvinists. Most of my family is Arminian and I love to fellowship with them. I have no hostility toward you.
But I would like to clear up the point of John 3:16.
I have shared this verse with Atheists and didn't have to say a single Calvinistic thing to counteract it. I believe it with all of my heart. I just read it differently than you do
I read it in this way: "For God so loved the world [in what way did he love the world?], that he gave his only Son [wow!], that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [And why do they believe?]" (ESV)
My bible has a footnote that says the verse might also be translated to begin, "For this is how God loved the world..." It is amazing to me to consider that God gave anyone in the world HIS OWN SON for the forgiveness of sins when the universe should have exploded into everlasting judgement the day Adam sinned! The very fact that any are saved is truly astonishing! God should have damned us ALL to hell!
Is no one outraged at salvation? The God of the universe, deserving infinite glory and honor has been blasphemed a million times over by everyone and yet HE FORGIVES? What kind of justice is that? That is an outrage! A judge like that would be thrown off the bench in a week.
It's SO outrageous that God had to kill his Son to prove He was not unjust (Romans 3:25).
Is no one outraged about salvation? Most of us think we deserve salvation. Even if you remain a non-Calvinist, BE OUTRAGED AT SALVATION! And then be amazed that you are saved! And worship! And glorify His name! Thank Him for overcoming the greatest injustice of all time by giving His beloved to us!
Did you know that classic Calvinists believe in the universal call of the gospel just like you do?
When I see Arminian-sounding verses that say something like, "anyone who believes will have eternal life," I always ask, "why do they believe?" So I NEVER throw out those verses, I only consider the original source of someone's belief.
So for you who disagree with the five points, at least now you know we do agree with you on this point! Anyone who believes will be saved! There is indeed the universal call of the gospel. Only hyper-Calvinists deny this. Be aware of the difference.
Many non-Calvinists attack hyper-Calvinists. For some non-Calvinist websites I visit, I wouldn't know they were even talking about my beliefs unless I saw the term "Calvinist" here and there!
I join their attack! Hyper-Calvinism is indeed a twisting of scripture! But it doesn't represent my beliefs ;D
It is my hope that by this post you non-Calvinists will live with us in an understanding way and not burn straw men.
