Hi Wendy:<br><br>Since part of what you quoted was from a forum where I responded to the remarks by Criley let me answer your question. How long have I been a Calvinist. Hmmm part of my hesitation on the answer is that it depends on what you mean. Let me explain, even after I was "saved" during what can only be called a fire and brimstone preaching service I was convinced through subsequent studies that God saved me and I had no part in that salvation at all. It was what Packer calls the point of Calvinism IE: God saves sinners. However, if you mean when did I embrace Covenant Theology then I must say that it has been about 12 years. During that time I learned what I meant by the term "God saved me". But that didn't change my original belief it just clarified it.<br><br>Now I still do the same things. I give to the poor, I help missionaries, but its because I am a Calvinist that I do them. My Calvinism extends to putting on my pants in the morning it is a inherent part of my life if anything it enhances the ordinary things I do, because I realize the its the ordinary things that most exemplifies what Calvinism is because it is normative Christianity.<br><br>Now Wendy if you are not convinced that Calvinism is normative Christianity and that is because you think we are "mean" when we speak out against Arminian heresy then let me ask you this how would you defend the truth? Would you demonstrate that the Word of God clearly teaches certain basic objective truths and these logically show who God is and that He is Sovereign? Or would you allow erroneous teaching to continue just because you didn't want to hurt their feelings? Today my bible study group was reading in 1 John 3 he makes some very black and white statements about who children of God are and who aren't. As we were reading this one of the members said "Wow there is no grey areas in there at all is there?" another was very disturbed by this (obviously being convicted by the Holy Spirit) and felt he had to re-examine his life. Now what if I had said: "Hey its okay, as long as you don't break any of the big ones the minor sins are no big deal God just ignores those." That's rank heresy but it would have made at least one person feel okay there. Point is this Scripture truth isn't meant for us to have the warm fuzzies its meant for us to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I can't do that if my knowledge of God is wrong. This also means we defend truth and let others know that the "warm fuzzy god" is an idol.<br><br>
