The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Predestination

Kathy,

What I can tell YOU is that your "observations" are unfortunately inaccurate. First of all "beloved57" is an extremist who renders the Scriptures to his own destruction, which types Peter centuries ago wrote about. (2Pet 3:16) Let's put it another way in case you didn't catch on what Boarnerges tried to tell you . . . "beloved57" is anything but representative of the doctrines known as "Calvinism". Those doctrines are best represented by the various historic and denominational Confessions and Catechisms which were written out of the Protestant Reformation, to which most all of us here would confess are all accurate summaries of biblical truth in the matter of salvation, including predestination, the Gospel, and other core doctrines.

If exposing and refuting error isn't something you approve of then you are very much in the wrong place. What we believe here and which you have been told before, even by me personally, is that there is such a thing called ABSOLUTE TRUTH. And this absolute truth is found in the Bible; God's inspired, infallible, inerrant written word. Further, it is both possible and incumbent upon ALL human beings to know this truth but only as they are given the ability to do so by being regenerated by the Holy Spirit and He indwelling in them. And thus comes unity among those who know and love that truth as it is revealed in the Bible. Yes, there will be and are minor differences on various matters of biblical doctrine. But again, on the essentials of the faith, there is a oneness which cannot be broken. I am not talking about whether or not you should baptize babies or if it is only permissible to immerse or sprinkle or pour water in baptism ..... or any other such nonsense.

Another item you mentioned and which I simply have to respond to is this idea of, at least implied, "intellectual elitism". Of course, to someone who opposes objectivity, propositional truth, cogency, verifiability and accountability, there will invariably come protestations concerning insistence of conformity to truth, which honors Christ and His word, which is the truth. Everyone has the "right" to believe what they want. But they have no right to claim it is truth unless it is verified under the light of Scripture.

Lastly, please consider the place in which you are finding things objectionable to your sensitivities. This is a THEOLOGY FORUM, where people discuss, debate, argue etc., concerning matters concerning God, the Bible, salvation, predestination, et al. You should expect that there is going to be disagreements, especially with those who either do not hold to the biblical doctrines called "Calvinism" or who distort them under that name. If this bothers you then perhaps you would feel more comfortable being involved on a Board that consists of Agnostics where truth is sought but unfortunately elusive. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> However, we here again hold to propositional truth and believe that it should be proclaimed and defended with accuracy. And we also believe that study of God's Word is a noble thing to do and thus some of us have spent much of our time educating ourselves to be able to accomplish that noble task better with the goal of helping others understand better also. Maybe you think that is a waste of time?

In His grace,