Calvinism, One of the Most Debated Topics in Christianity
By Nickfyoung
@Nickfyoung (323)
Australia
3 responses
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
17 Apr 11
I believe when we start putting limits on God we are in trouble.
John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that 'whosoever' believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Pretty much leaves the door open to everyone who would believe, don't you think?
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
18 Apr 11
You cannot dismiss the word 'whosoever'.
If the teaching of predetermination is right, then we could say that those who have belived and are NOT part of the elect are being lied to by God.
Why would the Holy Spirit bother you ask? Because HE is LOVE. The same love that sent Christ to the cross sends the Holy Spirit to every one at least once in their life to draw them to Christ. It is man's will that separates man and God. Not God's will that any should be lost. And then we have the problem of that teaching keeping men from coming to God, why bother if I am not one of the elect?
I'm sure God knows who will and who won't. But God is JUST and must keep His word. And His word is 'whosoever will'. 
@Nickfyoung (323)
• Australia
18 Apr 11
It is generally believed that mankind is not capable of making a choice for God due to his inherited corruptness from the fall.
It is up to the Holy spirit to draw men to him to a point that they are able to do that believing.
The argument is in part why would the Holy Spirit bother to draw someone to that point knowing that they are going to say no.
I think maybe then we are putting limits on God if His plans are dependent on the whims of man.
What do you reckon.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
28 May 10
Limited atonement is not something I know a lot about but I would imagine it is a result of Calvin's mistaken ideas about pre-determinism
all the best urban
@Nickfyoung (323)
• Australia
28 May 10
Hi, you probably mean predestination which is one of his most famous arguments. It basically says that God knows everything past, present and future so those that do end up in heaven as different to hell He knew about. So those are predestined and basically can't do anything to change it which upsets those who support man's freewill and his ability to make his own choices.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
28 May 10
Yes, thanks for the correction, that's indeed what I meant
all the best urban
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 May 10
Since you have asked; I feel compelled to respond.
I was born to a Christian Protestant family in Oct 1933. I went to Church and Sunday School, and eventually became a Sunday School teacher. However I was always inspired by Science, and spent hours studying Science and religion in an effort to unite them. My feelings were that Science and religion were one and the same! When I realized that they were incompatible I walked away from The Church never to return. Why would God create Science, and Religion and make them so antithetical?
Science has not found one shred of proof that Jesus ever lived in Palestine!
I doubt that limited atonement is one of the most debated topics in Christianity. Personally this is the first I've heard of it! (I hope this answers your question!)
@Nickfyoung (323)
• Australia
27 May 10
You are right when you say that science and religion are incompatible. When most people realize this they walk away. Some walk away from church and some walk away from science. Personally, I think science can be one of the biggest cons around. Look at global warming.
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