Comments on: The Calvinism Controversy

By: Jonathan Black

Jonathan Black — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:13:35 +0000

I just attended a Bible study by Pastor Lincoln where he exposited the Scriptures on the conversion of Saul (Paul). He taught essentially no different than a Calvinist. Pastor Lincoln made clear that God is sovereign; Paul was chosen; man is pre-influenced to not turn to the Lord without God’s grace first intervening (as with Paul) and that man needs a ’spiritual confrontation [from God through Christ's gospel]‘ before he will be converted. Further, Pastor Lincoln stated that in the final analysis, God’s sovereign will shall be completed just as he has ordained. This is hardly consonant with Arminianism/”free-willism.” This therefore brings me some question as to exactly why Pastor Lincoln sees himself distinctly different in theology from biblical teachings that are often named “Calvinism.” It would be most interesting to know exactly what in biblical “Calvinism” Pastor Lincoln finds so unbiblical. I enjoyed and profited from his Sermon tonight- even though we know that hearing someone once does not do justice to the totality of one’s systematic theology. To Jason Kinch, the Scriptures most assuredly teach that Christ’s atonement was for a particular people called the elect of God. Study more with an open mind and heart, willing to have God’s word direct you to wherever He, by the Holy Spirit’s illumination, will take you in truth.
Blessings,
Jonathan Black

By: Jason Kinch

Jason Kinch — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:43:11 +0000

I think more non-calvinists have studied and understand the 5-points than you may think, Jeff. I have and do not believe that Limited or Definite Atonement is taught in the scriptures. The Unconditional Election part is a little more tricky I will admit but I still don’t believe the scriptures teach it. However like Dick said I love Reformed brothers and sisters.

By: Jeff Shows

Jeff Shows — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:30:26 +0000

I think all the New Testament writers understood their position outside of a Sovereign God, Who saves who He wants to save, because He loves them, not because of anything in them, but because He glorifies Himself in rescuing them out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1Peter 1)
Calvinism notwithstanding, The Lord Jesus Christ, The Creator of the universe, causes people to be born again to a living hope. True belief in The Lord God Almighty is a gift granted from above, not something we can boast about, at all. (Eph 2:8-10)
What I think about Calvinism is that not enough of the 5 points are taught from the pulpits of evangelical churches. Most professing Christians correlate the term Calvinism with something offensive…..because they have never been taught anything other than easy believism, free-will, have made a decision, or any other traditional exercise without true repentance and faith. A deeper understanding of God’s Bible is not something many of them desire at all. The result has been a large population of false converts in the church who are not saved at all.
I think the real John Calvin was as significant to the church today as Martin Luther, Augustine, Wycliffe, King James, Spurgeon and the Wesleys.
I do not understand why a Sovereign God would save me, because I know my own heart…..but because He has, I want to tell everyone! The desire to evangelize should be in the heart of every Christian, Calvinist, Armenian and all points in between.
I wish more Christians would study the 5 points of Calvinism for themselves. Unfortunately, it is a foreign language to most……