We, of all Christians, should approach evangelism with the confidence of the efficacy of the Gospel.
Posted on 08/21/2008 1:45:32 PM PDT by Gamecock
We, of all Christians, should approach evangelism with the confidence of the efficacy of the Gospel.
I will go with John Wesley on this subject.
“Answer all [the Calvinists’] objections, as occasion offers, both in public and private. But take care to do this with all possible sweetness both of look and of accent...Make it a matter of constant and earnest prayer, that God would stop the plague.”
Interesting thought coming from an Arminian.
I consider Wesley more of a Methodist who believes that God loves everyone and doesn’t treat his creation as no better than ants.
But still an Arminian who believed God is sitting in Heaven wringing His hands hoping that some will choose Christ, but not daring to intervene.
Now I know that Arminians will deny that caricature, but the end result is the same.
awesome post
Narcissistic? Hmmm. . .so Calvinists never say that God loves anyone? Then pray tell, how in the world do they share the gospel? Do they avoid verses such as John 3:16 that speak of God's love?
I just don't see how anyone can evangelize without mentioning God's love.
Wesleyians don’t believe God is sitting back and waiting. But God is active making himself available to all.
If God has already chosen then why did Christ die for the world’s salvation? Seems a little bit of a waste of time.
Sounds familiar.... The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (Luke 18:11)
And I think he was probably really glad he wasn't like one of those evil Arminians.....
Tell you what, FRiend -- a man who can talk as ugly as you can about a fellow Christian has no business posting self-righteous screeds about evangelism.
How can you have a revival when there has never been an establishment of said items in the first place?
Furthermore, why is the aforementioned completely inexperienced, still-wet-behind-the-ears given such a daunting missionary assignment, and apparently by all by himself? Is it some sort of test re: his dedication? Why would not a more experienced missionary be given this assignment, or at least accompany the newbie?
If you are a Calvinist you need no training or support. God has already decided. The Calvinist missionaries main job seems to be to drive around the countryside and yell JESUS!
God did the rest eons ago.
I am a methodist elder and Wesley was wrong to call calvinism a plague. He acknowledged as much in his final reconciliation with George Whitfield.
Wesley and other remonstrants really hadn’t considered the implications of absolute foreknowledge, and arminians still do not. I believe they’ve misunderstood Arminius. Perhaps Arminius misunderstood the implications of absolute foreknowledge.
1. Does God know everything?
2. I cannot argue that Wesley believed Calvinism to be right theologically, but he came to believe that his friend, George Whitfield, was not a plague. In fact, he considered Whitfield to be a blessing.
As with so many things why He did this will have remain a mystery. Just as it is a mystery to me why Christ had to die for the sins of people God has already selected for eternal worship.
Before creation did God know that you would accept Christ and be saved?
Before creation did He know that Aldous Huxley would not accept Christ and be damned?
Narcissistic? Hmmm. . .so Calvinists never say that God loves anyone? Then pray tell, how in the world do they share the gospel? Do they avoid verses such as John 3:16 that speak of God’s love?
I just don’t see how anyone can evangelize without mentioning God’s love.
you betcha. They avoid John 3:16 or say that world doesn’t exactly mean everyone.
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