Mark

Cheryl,

I appreciate where you are coming from. But first of all i have never deemed myself a ‘calvinist’ because simply it puts me into a theological bucket i don’t want to be in. Nor have i said that you are from a differing theological tradition e.g Arminianism. I’m more interested in the Bible rather that which side we sit on.

I truly do believe that non-calvinists are Christians. Like i said, reformed theology is something i have studied and over time been thoroughly convinced of, but i would never have said that i wasn’t a Christian before then. We all grow in our understanding and walk with God over our life times. However i do have a problem with so called ‘scholars’ when they outright reject biblical authority and truth. We all need to be open to change, be teachable and to have a desire to know the truth. My problem lies when people sit on the fence and simply say it is a matter of hermeneutics as if we can’t search for the truth.

In my experience most Christians i know would not be labelled as calvinists, but i love and respect them as the family of God. My issue rises when the people who should know better (scholars) outright reject or re-interpret the bible and lead people astray. Most people on the pews wouldn’t even know the difference, but it’s the leaders who do. Sure we all agree that Jesus is the only way to the Father, but what we believe about faith will radically change our perceptions of everything else. We need to get the gospel right first before we can get anything else right. I have yet to be convinced how we are not adding to our salvation by saying faith is not a gift of God. SInce this is the core of our beliefs as protestants i think it is vitally important to discuss. You cannot simply say that faith is not a gift without explaining why therefore it is not a works based gospel. Like i said, Paul is very clear on false gospels so we should work very hard at making sure we get it right.

Division is not the ideal i agree, and i’m sorry you have suffered with your church, but you can’t therefore label all calvinists in the same basket with the same issues and motives. As someone who is openly expressing your views on a blog, you should be willing to be thoroughly challenged. You are teaching people whether that is your intention or not, and when i feel that you are wrong i will say so. When i feel the gospel is at stake i will say so. If that makes you uncomfortable, then there is nothing i can do. With what you have said i feel strongly that the core of the gospel is at stake. You say you believe in a non-works salvation, then please show me why and how.

Also please notice that the warnings about division in the church is becasue of false teaching. We are urged to be sound in our doctrine and guard it. We can’t succome to every single doctrine just to keep unity in our churches. There is only one gospel, one message of salvation and we ought to keep it, not be wishy washy about it.
Look forward to your answers to my questions.