Comments on: The unforgivable sin. At least in many churches…. http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/ One of the few Reformed resources left in the cosmos not reviewed and endorsed by J.I. Packer. Drat. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:55:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: jw http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/#comment-2733 Mon, 16 May 2011 04:04:12 +0000 http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/?p=1968#comment-2733 Thank you. You REALLY are the light-hearted calvinist. Let me be clear, “repent and believe” should be the intent of any “altar call”. It’s not required to have one and is not sinful to skip it. I thought I was more or less on your side with that. But it’s not wrong to have one. Maybe it is wrong to have one purely out of habit as opposed to being led by the Spirit. The day of Pentecost is perfect example of being led by Spirit.
Even though we disagree on some theology, if you’re evangelizing, we still have common ground. I’m praying for your success with the prison ministry. I’ll mention it at prayer meeting and my group can lift you up. I should have ended my comment with a smiley so you’d know that I’m your light-hearted arminian brother in Christ. I should also mention that the links for grace online and geoff bagget are broken.

]]> By: Jeff Peterson http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/#comment-2729 Sun, 15 May 2011 11:59:41 +0000 http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/?p=1968#comment-2729 Huh?

Thanks for stopping by. It would appear you are confusing the command to “Repent and believe” with our modern-day altar call. If I wasn’t spending this week in preparation for a three-day evangelistic trip into a Michigan prison, presenting 36-40 Satanists, Buddhists, Nation of Islam/Moorish Science Temple of America/Melanic/Five Percenter Muslims, Odinists and downright atheists the message of redemption through Jesus Christ alone, I’d comment at more length about we Calvinists not evangelizing(!!).

]]> By: jw http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/#comment-2727 Sun, 15 May 2011 06:19:16 +0000 http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/?p=1968#comment-2727 In the first chapter of Mark, Jesus was preaching in Galilee and called to Andrew and Simon to come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. That sounds like preaching followed by an invitation that led to a public decision. Granted these events may not have transpired in the way we see them in a modern service but it still provides a pattern. The second chapter of Acts reads :

“40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

That sounds very familiar. Peter bore witness and exhorted and they added 3000 that day. It doesn’t say that if they sang “Just as I am” or “I Surrender All”.

It would seem that “altar calls” or invitations are not without some basis in the scripture. I don’t think they’re commanded but I wouldn’t say they are unnecessary or unscriptural. Maybe if the Spirit is working in the congregation there’s need for an invitation or maybe you should sing a hymn and go out as the disciples did after the Last Supper. Let the Spirit be you guide.

Of course, if your a Calvinist, you could just eat donuts and drink coffee and wait for the other elect to just show up. If you’re preaching to save a lost soul, there’s a sense of urgency. This person could leave the service without making a public or private commitment to God and spend eternity separated from God. We owe it to them to make every effort and give them every opportunity for Holy Spirit to convict them. If you’re Calvinist, that person in pew can’t make a decision, he can’t resist, and he’s not lost, he just hasn’t realized that he’s part of the elect. That’s not nearly as dire. He can’t become un-elected so it’s just a matter of time. He’s already saved so why drag this out. Anyway, if he’s not part of the elect, it won’t matter, he’s still going to Hell.

]]> By: oldbutweary http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/#comment-326 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:02:51 +0000 http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/?p=1968#comment-326 Great. Now we’re going to have to figure out which unforgivable sin is more unforgivable. Maybe the Bible Drill Guy can help us out….

]]> By: Josh Gelatt http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/2009/04/27/the-unforgivable-sin-at-least-in-many-churches/#comment-325 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:37:29 +0000 http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/?p=1968#comment-325 Interestingly, at tonight’s school board meeting I was told by a teacher (after having been attacked publically) that I had committed the “unpardonable sin” by removing my kids from the public school to home school them. There is even a recall petition started! It seems I’m committing these unpardonable misdeeds everywhere I go. :)

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