Why I am a Calvinist

http://www.apuritansmind.com/TULIP/WhyIAmACalvinist.htm ^ | 7/27/02 | C. Matthew McMahon

[JesseShurun]

So after their first repentance and first conversion they have hardly ever examined their conscience and confessed to God any subsequent sins. How do they suppose these sins will be forgiven?

What in the world are you talking about? We walk with the Lord daily and we talk to the Lord daily. We are only too aware of our sins. We ask forgiveness daily and we ask for the help of the HS to help us not to sin. We never take communion until we go to the Cross. You have us confused with the Illuminatti or the Rockefellas or somebody.

[Theresa]

"To the modern world, however, Calvin stands peculiarly for the Reformation, his doctrine is supposed to contain the essence of the Gospel; and multitudes who reject Christianity mean merely the creed of Geneva."

Now that is a true saying!!!

[Polycarp]

We ask forgiveness daily and we ask for the help of the HS to help us not to sin.

This is true of many Christians. However, many Christians do not examine their consciences. I've even been told by a few once-saved-always-saved types that it is no longer necessary since their salvation is assured regardless of their sins.

[JesseShurun]

You are guilty then of painting all of us with a very broad brush, Polycarpaltunnel vision.

[Polycarp]

Calvin's formulated a novel and horrible doctrine. It is a horrible heresy. I am sorry for those who cling to it. Because as the quote above says, "it has banished charity and mercy from the breasts of his followers."

Paganistic fatalism, banished at the foot of the cross, one of the most horrible afflictions of mankind, was reintrodocued to Christianity by the twisted mind of Calvin. Truly Horrible. Amen.

[Theresa]

"His grace is sufficient for me. It covers all my sins."

Oh it is the old dung heap covered in snow analogy. Here's the Catholic one. A sinful soul is like a silver plate covered with tarnish. God does not simply cover the tarnished plate with a cloth. He removes the tarnish, cleans it all off, and washes the soul so clean of sin that when he looks at the polished plate the only thing he sees is his own reflection.

[Polycarp]

You are guilty then of painting all of us with a very broad brush, Polycarpaltunnel vision.

LOL! My apologies then for the broad brush stroke!

Frankly I'm much more often at the receiving end of such broad insults by Calvinists. It appears you too have been the victim of their charitable evangelization efforts?

[Polycarp]

God does not simply cover the tarnished plate with a cloth. He removes the tarnish, cleans it all off, and washes the soul so clean of sin that when he looks at the polished plate the only thing he sees is his own reflection.

Beautiful. I'll take being the reflection of God, washed clean of the grime of sin, over being a dungheap covered in snow, any day.

[JesseShurun]

My brothers, the Calvinists, have an understanding inputed to them from the Holy One. They understand the Word at the level which they are on. It is the right interpretation. If they find fault with me, then the fault is mine, in not helping them to understand up another rachet. You are alright. Shalom my friend, all blessings. JS

[Polycarp]

You are alright. Shalom my friend, all blessings. JS

You too. Sorry if I offended. God Bless you.

[JesseShurun]

You did not offend me Polycarp. I sense that you are very intelligent and passionate for the Lord, and that is only to be admired. But please remember, the Lord has other flocks and He loves them and they adore Him. Shalom! JS

[Polycarp]

But please remember, the Lord has other flocks and He loves them and they adore Him.

I'm quite ecumenical in my own way (I've been on medical missionary trips with my evangelical brethren, and I donated part of my office space to a baptist minister friend for his crisis pregnancy center for several years, among other endeavors.) I could never forget this. I've learned much from my non-Catholic friends.

[Theresa]

"What do you think of Henrich Bullinger?"

I don't know anything about him. I tried to do some research but most of the sites were in German.

[Matchett-PI]

".. Arminianism and Roman catholicism .."

One and the same. All man-centered religions are feminized religions and as such, fall into the Arminian catagory.

[polemikos]

My dear, these are the heresies of Luther.

[JesseShurun]

I've learned much from my non-Catholic friends.

Sigh. My very very dearest friend was descended from the Germans and I am descended from the Jews. I said to him before he died, and I loved him so much, "Just think, At one time, your ancestors were killing my ancestors. He looked at me and said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." The grace is sufficient for me.

[drstevej]

***I've learned much from my non-Catholic friends.***

We have more to teach you...:-)

[JesseShurun]

This is the same as when you told me to quit relying on scripture and to deal with logic

Mr. Spock, activate the bible-phasers!

[drstevej]

Here's one.

[xzins]

Polycarpaltunnel vision.

they might not appreciate your arguments, but I hope they appreciate your wordplay and humor. chuckle...