A few weeks back, I was involved in a [continuing] conversation regarding the definition of community. The realization has come that, done correctly, discipleship breeds community and evangelism. Evangelism breeds community and discipleship. Of course, community is supposed to breed evangelism and discipleship.

Consider the words of Keith Miller from his 'Scent of Love':

"The early church grew not because of the spiritual gifts of Christians, and not because Christianity was a palatable doctrine but because they had discovered the secret of community. Generally they did not have to lift a finger to evangelise. Someone would be walking down a back alley in Ephesus and would see a group of people sitting together talking about the strangest of things - something about a man, a tree and an execution and an empty tomb. What they were talking about made no sense to the onlooker. But there was something about the way they spoke to one another, about the way they looked at one another, about the way they cried together, about the way they laughed together, the way they touched one another that was strangely appealing. It gave off the scent of love. The onlooker would start to drift farther down the alley, only to be pulled back to this group like a bee to a flower. He would listen some more, still not understanding, and start to drift away again. But again he would be pulled back, thinking, I don't have the slightest idea what these people are talking about, but whatever it is I want part of it."

In my deepest being, that is what I long for. To be a part of that community...anyone want in?

Calvinism Revisited, Part 1

I am really rushed for time today, so this is not nearly as complete as I’d like, but it’s a starting point. Hopefully, I can revisit this over the next few days…Thanks for you patience!

The primary issue for me is the Free Will vs. Predestination/Election contention. Calvinism would argue that God bestows faith on those whom He elected before the foundation of the world (see Romans 8 below), regardless of any forseen reaction to obedience (like winning the lottery). Arminianism agrues that election is based on God's sovreign knowledge of what man would do in response to his grace.

The Scripture does indeed teach predestination. (I’m definitely not debating that). For instance,

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

and here:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

To me, this is different than what Calvinism proposes (at least the way I read it. Again, I could be wrong…) Limited Atonement (Calvinism) as I am familiar with it states that Christ's death secured salvation only for the elect. For example,
"Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them ... In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith, which united them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation." (David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas; The Five Points of Calvinism, Defined, Defended, Documented: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1975, p. 1 7)
Nevertheless, Scripture says that Jesus died for all men, not just the elect.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:1)
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

“But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9)
His blood can wash away anyone's sin.
“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “ (John 1:29)

My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
The gospel is for all men.
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)


For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)


Arminism agrues that Christ’s death secured salvation for anyone, but that it will be the elect who respond, for God is not a respecter of persons.
‘And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.’ (Acts 10:34-35)

‘For there is no partiality with God.’ (Rom 2:11-12)

‘God does not will that any perish but all be saved: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men’ (Tit 2:11)
‘This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. (1 Ti 2:3-4)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Pe 3:9)

If I am predestined, why worry about Satan? 1 Peter 5:8-9 says: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. Although I realize that, in the very same breath (v.10) Peter writes, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”


As i said above, perhaps I can spend more time here in a couple of days.....Meanwhile, your comments, questions, and complaints are always welcome!

Peace of Christ to you all.

Recovering Calvinist?

At longshot's inquiry, I'll take a stab at explaining why I feel the way I do...

Most of us are familiar with Calvinism. You remember TULIP, right? Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irrestible Grace, and Perserverance of the Saints.

Because most of my formative and adult years I was surrounded by Calvinists ,(parents, pastors, professors, etc), even those who didn't express themselves as such, I always assumed that the 'ol TULIP was right--even before I knew it was labeled as such.

As I have searched the scriptures and examined my own journey, I'm finding out that I'm a little bit Calvinist AND Arminian. (Why is Donnie and Marie's "She's a Little Bit Country And He's A Little Bit Rock-N-Roll" bouncing in my head?)

I'll explain.
Total Depravity agrues that the entire process of salvation (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation. Arminianism suggests that man plays a role in 'choosing' to accept this grace and somewhat 'cooperate' with God in the process. God has provided salvation to everyone, but man makes his provision effective by choosing according to the free will God grants him. Man takes more of a decisive role.

As far as the Free Will vs. Predestination/Election issue goes, I see it like walking thru a doorway. On this side, the side above it reads 'Whosever Will May Come'. Once we are on the other side, you look back and it reads 'Those He Foreknew He Also Predestined to Become Sons of God'. Calvinism would argue that God bestows faith on those whom He elected before the foundation of the world, regardless of any forseen reaction to obedience (like winning the lottery). Arminianism agrues that election is based on God's sovreign knowledge of what man would do in response to his grace.

Limited Atonement (Calvinism) states that Christ's death secured salvation only for the elect. Arminism agrues that it secured salvation for anyone, but that it will be the elect who respond.

One caveat: Arminism also argues that the elect can lose their salavation by falling from Grace. Calvinism supports the idea that all who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end. Having experienced an incredible amount of unfathomable grace in the past few years, my spirit resonates much more loudly with this point of Calvinism.

Of course, I some incredible, godly friends who are hardcore 5-point Calvinists (Hi, Jimmie!). We are brothers in the truest sense.

I could be wrong in my belief system, but this is where the journey has led me today. And if, when I see Him face to face, He says, "Dude...you were so off...", I'm okay with that.