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How can somebody who claims to be well read get so many things 180 degrees backwards? It's like you got up and took 2 hate Calvinism pills and never even considered they might have a few things right like for example where we know that decisions do not create character. Re your last post to me: Is any sin Good; is any work without God good?

No, I only take one 'hate Calvinism' pill a day (thats all I need). What Calvin got 'right' is far outweighed by what he got wrong i.e. Predestination.

What do you mean 'decisions do not create character-ofcourse they do! The decision to believe in Christ or not, the decision to walk in the Spirit or not etc etc.

No sin is 'good' but a work can be 'good' without God, but not to God. In other words, the 'good' e.g. the good Samaritan (an unbeliever) was an example of love toward ones neighbor. His kindness will not earn him anything from God, but it nevertheless is still 'good'

Even so, come Lord Jesus

you to CCWoody: No, I only take one 'hate Calvinism' pill a day (thats all I need). What Calvin got 'right' is far outweighed by what he got wrong i.e. Predestination.

Well, Arminius claimed that Calvin's Commentaries were, next to the Bible itself, the most worthy reading in all Christian history including the work of the early church fathers.

Perhaps Arminius, having been at Geneva and been a student of Beza, Calvin's colleague, knew something about Calvin's scholarship that you don't want to recognize because you reject the TULIP so vehemently. I personally think that many who dislike the TULIP doctrines fail to look at the Commentaries seriously. Arminius separated Calvin's excellent general Bible scholarship from his work in the Institutes. Maybe you should ask yourself why he did that. And you must be aware of the Textus Receptus bibles produced in the major European language at Geneva at that time, generally by Calvin's associates. The KJV translators drew upon the previous scholarship that had gathered in Calvin's Geneva.

I don't think a KJV supporter should throw quite so many stones at a man who was so instrumental in the history of the KJV and other sound Reformation bibles. You know, you never have a good word to say of Calvin's huge body of work and his influence in so many areas which has endured for centuries in both religious and political matters. He was a humble learned giant and subsequent history reveals he is the greater man when compared to Luther.

What do you mean 'decisions do not create character-ofcourse they do! The decision to believe in Christ or not, the decision to walk in the Spirit or not etc etc.

No, decisions do not create character; never have and never will. Like nearly everything else, you also get this wrong, not knowing the Scripture

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Your belief is so very new-age. The only thing that produces character is tribulation. This is precisely why everyone will endure a fiery trial who claim to be saved by Christ. The chaff, who have merely decided that they believe, will be burnt up and will not endure to the end because they do not have the Holy spirit within their hearts.

Do you think that the wedding guest without a garment did not decide that he was suppose to be be there? Do you think that all these did not believe that they were suppose to be there? Do you not think that there will be many who have decided and believed that they are properly covered with a garment of salvation?

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
And ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.
Therefore say, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: I will even gather you from the people and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.' And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep Mine ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God. But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD."

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?' And then will I profess unto them, `I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.' Do you not think that all these, even more than deciding they were saved, also believed with a false heart that they were saved?

You have been shown the clear teaching of the Bible. Decisions do not create character; they reveal good character. For it says by their fruits you shall know them. You can either continue to believe that you can decide that you are saved or you can repent of this. The choice is yours. A "decision for Christ" is not a total, complete, and utter committment of falling upon the Rock.