Calvinism is a Cult

[Enoch111]

But how could God claim them as His before they had made this decision?

Simply because God sees the end from the beginning -- indeed from before the foundation of the world.

And, if they are His because of their choice, how is that not works righteousness?

Faith is NOT a work of righteousness, but simply trusting God and Christ, and believing the record that God has given regarding His Son and Christ's finished work of redemption. And Paul makes the distinction clear in Romans 4:

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,...
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,...
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Also saving faith and genuine repentance are two sides of the same coin. And that should lead sinners to receiving Christ as both Lord and Savior.

ACTS 2
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

[Preacher4Truth]

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Of course.

...and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37b.

...and, just like your truncated gospel and theology you cut off the part of the above verse you don't like, namely: "All that the Father gives me will come to me..."

But, you don't mind twisting Scripture. Why not just tear out the parts of verses you don't like? I mean you already have your cranium buried in the ground. Why not respect God and use integrity and context when using HIS Word? You show no respect for either.

From my reading of Finney I do not see him denying the efficacy of the blood...for he preached Christ and Him crucified.

That's because you don't want to see what's been shown you that your mentor taught you. You're plainly shown facts, quotes and you run around with your fingers in your ears and your eyes closed screaming "la, laaaa, laaaa, laaaa!!!!"

Calvinism is the very doctrine that claims superiority over other doctrines because it offers solid assurance of salvation to its adherents...and yet it condemns the theology of those who are in opposition over the fact that that theology offers real, biblical assurance.

Sounds like a real case of envy to me.

Wow, the above was a desperate attempt to accuse of something, yet it remains senseless, baseless and has utterly failed.

 

[Dave L]

Faith is a fruit of the Spirit for those who are ALREADY BELIEVERS. The context of Galatians is crystal clear. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit. Also there is a spiritual gift of faith for those who are already believers.

But before He becomes the indwelling Spirit, He must be received as a gift (the gift of the Holy Ghost Himself). And that gift is only received by those who (a) repent and (b) believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 16:30,31 and many other passages).

Therefore saving faith is generated by (1) the POWER of the Gospel unto salvation (Rom 1:16) and (2) the POWER of the Holy Spirit in convincing and convicting sinners (John 16:7-11). And that is why Scriptures says: Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts...(Heb 3:7-9)

You keep bringing up "the flesh" mistakenly. The flesh is at enmity with God and has nothing to do with the New Birth. The Holy Spirit overcomes this enmity by convicting and convincing even the vilest sinners, and that is the power of God Himself. So unless you are prepared to meditate on and recognize the power of the Gospel and the power of God in bringing souls to Christ, you will continue to hold a false belief about how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit bring sinners to the Savior.

How can someone already be a believer if faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit they must have in order to believe?

 

[Mjh29]

Faith is NOT a work of righteousness, but simply trusting God and Christ, and believing the record that God has given regarding His Son and Christ's finished work of redemption.

And what spurns some to have faith and not others?

 

[Dave L]

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

...and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37b.

From my reading of Finney I do not see him denying the efficacy of the blood...for he preached Christ and Him crucified.

Calvinism is the very doctrine that claims superiority over other doctrines because it offers solid assurance of salvation to its adherents...and yet it condemns the theology of those who are in opposition over the fact that that theology offers real, biblical assurance.

Sounds like a real case of envy to me.

What you are actually saying is "whoever calls on the name of any Lord but Christ will be saved". Because, unless one is born again, they cannot discern the true Christ. In fact, any mention of him they find repugnant. Which is obvious among contributors to this thread.

 

[Preacher4Truth]

What you are actually saying is "whoever calls on the name of any Lord but Christ will be saved". Because, unless one is born again, they cannot discern the true Christ. In fact, any mention of him they find repugnant. Which is obvious among contributors to this thread.

You nailed it.

 

[justbyfaith]

And what spurns some to have faith and not others?

The circumstances of their past, for one thing. For another, the content of the message when they hear the gospel, and whether it is appropo to what they have been through.

 

[justbyfaith]

You nailed it.

Everything will be made evident when we all stand before the Lord and are judged by Him with all of our secrets.

 

[Mjh29]

The circumstances of their past, for one thing. For another, the content of the message when they hear the gospel, and whether it is appropo to what they have been through.

So, life experience saves us?

"Boy, I was lucky [fill in the blank] happened, otherwise I would NEVER have accepted Christ!"

We are giving seemingly "chance" happenings more power that God Himself in our conversion?!?

Does God not control the path of history? If so, how dare He give some the proper situations that spurn faith and not others! Why does He not then just make us ALL go through the same circumstances? Then all would be saved, right? How is it fair of God to put some through the proper situations and not others?

Are you saying the gospel message will only work if one has been through the proper situations in life? So you believe in situational regeneration? Or are you saying that Pastors are the ones that save the souls, not the actual Scriptures? That the words of God just aren't powerful enough unless the power of the preacher is behind them?

 

[Preacher4Truth]

So, life experience saves us?

Yes, anything and everything including self, choosing, being smarter than others, loving God while spiritually dead, accepting, anything but Christ alone.

 

[farouk]

What you are actually saying is "whoever calls on the name of any Lord but Christ will be saved". Because, unless one is born again, they cannot discern the true Christ. In fact, any mention of him they find repugnant. Which is obvious among contributors to this thread.

It's those who are indwelt by the Spirit who cry 'Abba, Father' (Romans 8).

 

[Nancy]

Ok so why are you bothering the goats?

Lol...you bad bruh. I have a surfboard you can have

 

[Nancy]

Faith is a fruit of the Spirit for those who are ALREADY BELIEVERS. The context of Galatians is crystal clear. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit. Also there is a spiritual gift of faith for those who are already believers.

But before He becomes the indwelling Spirit, He must be received as a gift (the gift of the Holy Ghost Himself). And that gift is only received by those who (a) repent and (b) believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 16:30,31 and many other passages).

Therefore saving faith is generated by (1) the POWER of the Gospel unto salvation (Rom 1:16) and (2) the POWER of the Holy Spirit in convincing and convicting sinners (John 16:7-11). And that is why Scriptures says: Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts...(Heb 3:7-9)

You keep bringing up "the flesh" mistakenly. The flesh is at enmity with God and has nothing to do with the New Birth. The Holy Spirit overcomes this enmity by convicting and convincing even the vilest sinners, and that is the power of God Himself. So unless you are prepared to meditate on and recognize the power of the Gospel and the power of God in bringing souls to Christ, you will continue to hold a false belief about how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit bring sinners to the Savior.

You put that together very well. It seems so simple because....IT IS!
To me, this doctrine of the "elect" diminishes the power of the Blood of The Lamb. God wishes none should perish, God so Loved the World, sent His only Son to shed His PERFECT blood for all who will seek Him. Is Jesus blood not pure or powerful enough to cover every sin ever committed or will be committed? It is a GIFT! I will never turn down any gift or blessing from God. Especially, salvation.

 

[justbyfaith]

Does God not control the path of history? If so, how dare He give some the proper situations that spurn faith and not others! Why does He not then just make us ALL go through the same circumstances? Then all would be saved, right? How is it fair of God to put some through the proper situations and not others?

This is the dilemna that I believe is presented by Calvinism...because in it God predestinates some to salvation and others to hell.

 

[Mjh29]

This is the dilemna that I believe is presented by Calvinism...because in it God predestinates some to salvation and others to hell.

So, you're not going to answer the question, then?

 

[Mjh29]

This is the dilemna that I believe is presented by Calvinism...because in it God predestinates some to salvation and others to hell.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

[CoreIssue]

What you are actually saying is "whoever calls on the name of any Lord but Christ will be saved". Because, unless one is born again, they cannot discern the true Christ. In fact, any mention of him they find repugnant. Which is obvious among contributors to this thread.

What is repugnant is how Calvinists turn God into a puppeteer.

Cannot be born again unless you first repent in faith by grace. Which requires free will which Calvinists reject.

This is the dilemna that I believe is presented by Calvinism...because in it God predestinates some to salvation and others to hell.

That is a dilemma that Calvinist try to dismiss with the magic it is God's will.

There is no way they can call God loving if he's playing games such as this. That is not a compassionate God, but a sadist getting his jollies from misery he creates.

 

[Mjh29]

What is repugnant is how Calvinists turn God into a puppeteer.

Cannot be born again unless you first repent in faith by grace. Which requires free will which Calvinists reject.


That is a dilemma that Calvinist try to dismiss with the magic it is God's will.

There is no way they can call God loving if he's playing games such as this. That is not a compassionate God, but a sadist getting his jollies from misery he creates.

Right... because man never did anything to anger a perfect God. It seems we as mankind have forgotten our place in the universe. God is not a giant human. He is perfectly just in doing whatever He wants. You say He is only just if He fits into the box of what YOU call righteous.

"No, God; you can't do that! It wouldn't be right!"

Way to put your own personal moral compass above God.

 

[aspen]

Amazing that you don't know the answer and think you've stumped others with the above dopiness and incomprehension.

Ephesians 2:3 is just one answer. You probably shouldn't be talking theology or bible on a forum if you don't know this answer already. Drop your surf board dude and pick up your bible bro.

Ah there’s the loving, cuddly James I know! Perhaps you can pull out a thinking error from somewhere for this occasion? Everything written that does fit my pet theology is ‘dopiness’ and ‘incomprehensible’......

 

[justbyfaith]

Mat 7:15, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16, Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17, Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19, Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.