I don’t know very much about Gill. But sometimes, even extremists are able to rightly divide the word of truth. To be honest, I think it would be difficult for a sixteenth century reformer, to not take his doctrine to an extreme. They were in a very different struggle than we are today. <br><br>What I think may have happened is that the views these men actually held have been, over time, perhaps misrepresented to some degree. ‘Calvinism’ has taken on a life of its own apart from its foundation and actually become something that Calvin himself might not totally approve. It is possible that we may have just stumbled upon proof that that is the case.<br><br>The problem we face now is gross division in the body of Christ. These things ought not to be. I’m not on any kind of an ecumenical crusade here, but what I have sensed from this discussion is that there is a kind “us vs. them” mentality among Calvinists with those who are not. This is not at all unique either. Pentecostals do it, Church of Christ and probably others. <br><br>I hope people reading this thread understand that Bible doctrine is something I take very seriously, but if I have learned anything in that regard, I hope it is not use my interpretation of scripture to measure a fellow Christian by. <br><br>I took the name Costello from the comedy team “Abbott and Costello” after listening to their famous “who’s on first?” routine recently. Part way through the skit, Costello finally says it right, and then he shouts, “I don’t even know what I’m talkin’ about.” That’s how I feel about the Bible. I’m only part of the way to the understanding God is leading me to and even when I think I’ve have something right, I still “don’t even know what I’m talkin’ about.”<br><br>The Word of God simply can not be reduced to pat answers, there is always more.<br><br>If you are not constantly refining and rediscovering what you believe you are missing the big adventure.<br>
