Below are the basic tenets of calvinism.I had always taken these for granted to be the complete truth, but now am seriously reconsidering each of thses and the other tenets, hope to post exanded meanings of these terms and my doubts and objections.the post is from my blog Confused Calvinist
Total Depravity
Because of the fall, man is so corrupt and rebellious against God that apart from the regenerating and effectual work of the Holy Spirit one is unable to repent, trust in, follow, love, please, and delight in God. Often called:Total Inability, Spiritual Death
Unconditional Election
God, of His own free will and perfect wisdom, chose whom He would grant faith and effectually call to Himself, before the foundation of the world, without regard to foreseen obedience, faith, repentance, etc.
Limited Atonement
Sins have either been atoned for by Christ’s substitutionary death or they will be paid for in eternal hell (not both). Jesus Christ’s death made it possible for God to forgive the sins of anyone who would believe. It is effectual for the elect (those whom God has chosen)—it purchased for them the new covenant gifts of faith and repentance. Often called: Penal Substitutionary Atonement, Particular Atonement, Definite Atonement, Personal Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Grace can and will be resisted until God wills to overcome resistance. God’s inward renewing act through the Holy Spirit necessarily brings about faith and repentance, which come in response to the outward communication of the gospel. Often called:Regeneration, New Birth, Efficacious Call of the Holy Spirit
Perseverance of the Saints
Only those who persevere to the end in repentant faith will be saved. God works infallibly and effectually to preserve the faith of all the elect—those who come to genuine faith in Christ Jesus and who are truly born again—so that they are never lost. Often called:Preservation of the Saints, Eternal Security of the Elect
from tulipedia
5 responses so far ↓
1 Bud Brown // Mar 18, 2006 at 3:01 pm
I have been doing some research on this issue myself, and have come to the conclusion that there are numerous good reasons why one should reject Calvinism. This does not necessariliy lead to a wholesale endorsement of “Arminianism” but does cause us to go back and re-examine the way we’ve been studying and interpreting the Bible.
2 tgnrules // Mar 20, 2006 at 12:57 pm
“I had always taken these for granted to be the complete truth, but now am seriously reconsidering each of thses and the other tenets”
Thats why I posted these on my blog named “confused calvinist” because i have been re examining what has been tought to me and much does not add up ,I have gone thru your blog and some posts have helped me greatly, thank you, but i cannot dismiss all the tenets of calvinism, nor embrace arminianism , which seems to have at least some tenets more internaly inconsistent and based on selected verses, and as of now i am tryinmg to read for myself from the bible and see what the bible teaches not which ism is best supportd by the bible, i find it hard to belive to accept that the doctrines can be fitted neatly in to isms, so right now i am neither calvinist no armenian.
Thanks you for your blog and the clear style of writing.i dont know hoe you found my blog:-)
If you dont mind Iwould like to link to some of your posts , not nessesarily theological.
Could you tell me something about the emergent churches a balanced view, because some of the websites i visited have a lot of mockery but no musch reason for it, also the doctrinal statemenst of some of the emergent churches seem ok but since the movemnt has not reached India i do not have any first hand knowledge about them
3 Bud Brown // Mar 21, 2006 at 3:15 pm
“I cannot dismiss all the tenets of Calvinism, nor embrace Arminianism…”
Which tenets of Calvinism do you find yourself wanting to retain?
You don’t have to embrace Arminianism in order to reject Calvinism. Among the other views are one known as a “mediate theology of salvation” best represented by C. Gordon Olson. Check his titles at Amazon.com. Another view is known as the “partaker view” best represented by Jody Dillow in his book “The Reign of the Servant Kings.”
I happen to believe in the doctrine of total depravity as the Bible defines it. I also believe in the doctrine of election, as the Bible defines it. But I reject all five points of Calvinism and yet I am not an Arminian. Unless you define an Arminian as “anyone who does not adhere to the five points of Calvinism!”
“Could you tell me something about the emergent churches …”
I’ll do a little bit on this, but it is a difficult subject because there is no official group or official spokesman who represents all emergent churches. Then within the emerging churches there is a wide variety of distinction. I suggest that you check the book “Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church” by Donald Carson, read the website http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/01/brian_mclaren_a_2.html , and this article by T. Scot McKnight: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/companion/article/0602FutureorFad.pdf
Study the issues hard, read with discernment, and test everything against the Word of God.
4 tgnrules // Mar 24, 2006 at 12:26 pm
The tenets of calvinsm i have agreemeny with are total depravity, as the bible teache, that sin is both acquired and congenital, but not that man is incapable of making right choices,
also i belive in the preservation of saints in that i do not belive that the bible teaches that my works have anything to do with salvation, salvation is by grave thru faith, and not by workd, if so it must be preserved,by the giver of grace.
5 tgnrules // Mar 24, 2006 at 12:28 pm
thanks very much for the links mr bud and the study on your blog too, will read thouroughly, and perhaps write on my blog too.
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