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How can that be? If someone does not understand what salvation is, or how one becomes saved, and all the rest of TULIP - How can they be considered solid?
So, frankly, they drive me nuts.
so frankly, they drive me nuts. They have the truth right there in their Bible and you're in the available to them; but they are as wedded to Calvin's view of election as a bee is to his honeycomb. Once in a while I'll get a Calvinistic to see the error in some of his doctrines, which starts in heading in the right direction; but not often. At least (as Paul said about those who preached the gospel but in opposition to himself at least the gospel is being preached.
They do not believe that unbelievers have the free will choice of responding to the Gospel.
on me, not on God. It was blasphemy. I still love my friend and we can talk about everything else, but Faith is tricky since we disagree on fundamental beliefs.
They are not holding a high view of God, and a lower view of those they deem not the elect.
I certainly wouldn't recommend him. But that said, Ron is a mature Christian and a sound Bible teacher. I think for such a person there is material that Sproul (and other famous Calvinists such as D A. Carson, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, Martin Luther, and John Bunyan, to name only a few out of very many) gleaned from Scripture, that --when used judiciously-- could be useful in preparing lessons.
You’re right Pastor. For anyone interested, even Andy Woods gives Calvin praise for what he did contribute to America’s history while condemning the errors he brought. I do agree with you that there can much to be gleaned by these men when one has strong discernment. Pilgrim’s Progress and works from others you mentioned are famous and have good lessons in them regardless of the errors they also believed in. I plan to read Pilgrim’s Progress with my kids and use Calvinistic materials to teach my Children how to compare error with Scripture in our Homeschool. I want them to know that someone calling themselves a Christian doesn’t make them free from error.All very good points. Thank you both. I've written and preached often over of the years on Calvinism, its error is and the harm it does. Many years ago when he was still alive and active, Sproul used to be on our local Christian radio at a time when I was driving. As he was talking I'd be talking back to the radio pointing out what scripture says ... and at time's yelling at the radio!
To remove the great expositors and theologians of history from our studies because they espoused Calvinism to one degree or another would be a mistake in my opinion. However I should have given my comments to Ron in a private message. It was not appropriate for me to post my comments publicly on a board where so many people, including visitors, read and might be led to believe that Calvinism is good doctrine. I apologize for that and regret posting publicly. I would delete my initial reply except that it has provoked some good and useful responses.
As a fyi...I teach Sunday School as a backup in my adult class and monthly lessons for those coming to our food pantry plus a weekly home Bible study. Each requires different preparation, SS is the most challenging. I use multiple sources to make sure that I'm not teaching bad doctrine. I do have John MacArthur, AW Pink and other Calvinist preacher/writers among my sources but not exclusively.
