Quote:
Originally Posted by mizpeh
I agree with what you wrote but that is what is said on the surface in Calvinism. How does a Calvinist believe that God determines who is elect and who is not elect?
The stumbling block is a false view of God and if followed to its logical conclusion will distinguish any desire to evangelize since God will make sure that the elect will be saved whether we do anything about it or not.
Both.
My biggest complaint about Calvinist's is the way I understand them to portray God. Some of the things I hear from Calvinists makes me wonder what God they are referring to. The character of God…his justness, his love, and his humility are all thrown by the wayside. They seem to serve a proud God who is vain and seeks his own glory. A God who is unjust in that he saves some and not others appearing to be partial. And a God who’s love is suspect and quite opposite of the love we are enjoined to follow (1 Cor 13), the justice we are asked to observe (James 2:9), and the perspective on self that we are asked to walk in ( John 8:50, 17:8). I don’t recognize this God in the Bible. |
There was a post recently on this topic. I think you'd enjoy it. Was it the Hate Reformed thread? Can't recall. The idea of election is viewed a different way than how you refer to it above. Also, the idea of God being selfish and narcissistic is overshadowed by the idea of God as a passionate pursuer who "gave" his only Son, humbled himself and became our sin. The most impacting, heart/gospel moment I've ever had was when fellowshiping with some Calvinists, who were telling God's story. When I say it was "life changing" I do not exaggerate. I reconsidered my perspectives. The vengeful and Gotcha God was the old perspective.
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