Below is an excerpt from an article I received via e-mail.
(The article included a link to an excellent article on Calvinism by John Piper, answering many of these 'objections'.)
Are these legitimate concerns about 'Calvinism'?
Besides those legitimate concerns, they're usually poopie-heads with bad breath.
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1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
NO 2. Calvinism, by extension, can undermine a commitment to missions.
No 3. Calvinism can lead to a flippant attitude toward sin.
NO 4. Calvinism can overemphasize sin and depravity, neglecting the image of God within us.
YES 5. Calvinism leads some to deny the love of God for all people.
(With the emphasis on the SPECIAL LOVE God has for his elect, there can be an overlooking of a general love God has for creation)
NO 6. Calvinism inspires some to surrender their humanity to an unbiblical fatalistic determinism.
NO 7. Calvinism can displace Scripture as the source of truth.
YES 8. Calvinism can under-emphasize the moment of conversion.
(Salvation is a process, beginning with the interal invisible regenerative work of the Spirit and some think this a slow "growing" process and disparage those who look at a moment when they believed, they prayed, etc)
NO 9. Calvinism can be accompanied by theological arrogance, which undermines love for fellow believers who see spiritual reality in a different light.
YES 10. Calvinism can divide Christians from each other.
(Fault is seldom with the calvinist, but rather reaction of the spiritually illiterate)
I't not my fault... I was predestined to have bad breath...before the foundation of the world!
Exercise your sovereign will and brush your teeth more often dude.
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1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
NO 9. Calvinism can be accompanied by theological arrogance, which undermines love for fellow believers who see spiritual reality in a different light.
YES 10. Calvinism can divide Christians from each other.
(Fault is seldom with the calvinist, but rather reaction of the spiritually illiterate)
I'm going to get in trouble for this (and I frequently agree with your posts, Dr. Bob), but....
At least 10 things have bothered me about the effects that “so-called” Calvinism has had on some:
1. Calvinism can reduce evangelistic zeal.
2. Calvinism, by extension, can undermine a commitment to missions.
3. Calvinism can lead to a flippant attitude toward sin.
4. Calvinism can overemphasize sin and depravity, neglecting the image of God within us.
5. Calvinism leads some to deny the love of God for all people.
6. Calvinism inspires some to surrender their humanity to an unbiblical fatalistic determinism.
7. Calvinism can displace Scripture as the source of truth.
8. Calvinism can under-emphasize the moment of conversion.
9. Calvinism can be accompanied by theological arrogance, which undermines love for fellow believers who see spiritual reality in a different light.
10. Calvinism can divide Christians from each other.
1. yes, I have seen this happen in one of my former assocations...I have also seen this happen in other churches
2. This I am not sure of...but I can see how it could
3. I think this is possible for any one....I just call that human nature....but I would not say that only a 5 pointer would have this attitude...In fact I would say that if you had this attitude you have bigger problems then just Calvinisim...I would wonder if your saved in the first place
4. Well I have seen some of them over emphasis sin with out ever giving the person an opertunity for that person to get saved...not that I think that we should not talk about sin first when we are witnessing...but I disagree with not giving them an opertunity to respond to the message
5. I definatly agree with this view point! It does not allways happen, but there are alot of 5 pointers that have this idea that God does not love all people...my mom who was turned Calvi had this idea and many people around her had this veiw as well.
6. This agian I have seen in my mom and my moms freinds....the idea of well what ever happens happens because God had predetermined it will be...I seen that it takes away of personal responsibility for there actions...If I fail to preach or witness, or correct...well it was just in Gods will and I was predestined to do this or not do this what ever the case may be
7. That was the reason for the KJV....one of the reasons why King James wanted a new translation from the Geneva ...was that in the geneva bible they had John Calvins commentaries and the puritans were reading the commentraies more than the scripture...so one think that King James wanted was a bible with no commentary just the text please.
8. I can see how but have no one I know that felt that way
9. oh most deffinatly....almost 99% of the 5 pointers I come accross come accross arogant and prideful...they feel as if they got the complete knowlage of God, and that they were some how choosen by God and this makes them better than any one else...I find this one of the biggest problems
10. Not just Calvinisim but that is just something we all can do if we are not careful....I think there are alot of churches that are keepers of aquariums then fishers of men
Last edited by colvin5776; 11-02-2009 at 12:24 PM.
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