Comments for The Lighthearted Calvinist

Comment on Did St. Francis of Assisi REALLY say, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words?” by Jeff Peterson

Jeff Peterson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:33:23 +0000

Your quote from John is from a passage that is addressing what happens within the family of faith – and that just “eating His bread” (in the ‘Sacrament’) isn’t enough to save, because if we read a few verses later we see that prophecy was fulfilled by Judas, who “ate the bread,” lifting his heel against Jesus.

The Gospel is not about washing feet or feeding the poor – even the pagans can do that. The Gospel is – not just ‘about’ – the completed work of Christ – His perfect life, His sacrificial, substitutionary death, His resurrection and victory over death and His ascension to the right hand of the Father where He now reigns. Any “works” not produced as fruit of belief in that Gospel do not save – they only condemn.

John the Baptist, who certainly seemed to be looked upon rather highly by Jesus, would not meet your standards. Perhaps then, the standards need revising.

Thanks for stopping by.

Comment on Did St. Francis of Assisi REALLY say, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words?” by lozeerose

lozeerose — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:42:16 +0000

The True Bread is Christ Himself present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament. It was hard to hear then and it is hard to hear now. One must take that miracle on faith and you demonstrate that faith with your works, e.g., living according to the Word and trying to remain in a state of Grace so as not to profane “the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor 11:27).”

The quote discussed here and attributed to St. Francis is more about humility. How many preachers run around proclaiming the Gospel at the top of their lungs yet to do seem to understand that we “ought to wash one another’s feet (Jn 13:14)” thus putting off others by their seeming hypocrisy?” Yet, how many people were impressed with the joy, humility and kindness of others and sought to find the root cause of which is Christ Jesus?

Spreading the Gospel is more that words and more than actions it is the combination of both. The most effective evangelist speaks truth to power by living it first.

Comment on Richard “Red” Joiner: Ushered into the presence through more senseless street violence by Linda Pischke

Linda Pischke — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:00:50 +0000

I was touched by your article. Those of us in jail and prison ministry become attached to the men and women we minister to. It’s just like family when they move on or go home to the Lord. May God continue to bless your work.

Please visit my website: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com

Linda P.

Comment on Richard “Red” Joiner: Ushered into the presence through more senseless street violence by chuck ackley

chuck ackley — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:53:39 +0000

Brother Jeff I remember Red well. What a great tribute you just paid to him. Iwill put his family on my prayer list. This is a perfect example of why God has called us to do prison ministry. Every one needs to hear the word. Your atm moment was so spot on. We all must be ready. That’s why whenever we get the chance wherever we are at to share the word we must do it.

Comment on Richard “Red” Joiner: Ushered into the presence through more senseless street violence by stranger.strange.land

stranger.strange.land — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:18:58 +0000

The information that you received that Red had continued with the Lord must have been of some consolation to you, even though, as you said, you were torn up upon learning of his death.

In the two reports of the death of paroled young men I had worked with, both of them had rejected the Gospel outright. Very sad, very sobering.

We have to just keep on sharing the Gospel of Christ, and learn to be content with His Providence.

CraigB

Comment on Just asking, March 3, 2010 edition by Jeff Peterson

Jeff Peterson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:34:32 +0000

I know. I WAS paying attention last night.

Comment on What Do You Mean When You Say God Is Sovereign? by Andy Spohr

Andy Spohr — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:32:21 +0000

God is sovereign there is absolutly no question among Christians about that. We all believe that he is the Supreme Ruler of all His creation. He is all knowing, all powerful and everywere present. He is absolutly irrisistible, no one can dethrone him. He can and will do as he wills.
The problem we incounter in Calvinism is that it uses sovereignty and determinism ( Eternal Decree) interchangeably. A decree of God is an action of a sovereign God. Another problem in the Calvinistic understanding of God is that it seems to have God chained to his sovereingnty, equating also His sovereignty with His will. God is not a slave to his sovereignty (Supremecy) but to who He is(character).
The way calvinism portrays God is this way for example:Lets take the worlds strongest man . The worlds strongest man is only the strongest man if he fights and subdues every person that he comes in contact with. God is only sovereign if he decrees everything that happens.
As we can see that if the strongest man in the world does not fight every person and even occationaly take a slap in the face does in no way effect his srength. His character determins what he does with his strength. In the same way Gods character determins what he wills.
If calvinism is true then we need to answer the following questions and endless more.
If God wills (decrees) everything that happens and everything that doesn’t happen, then at what point is anyone dissobedient to(outside) His will?
If sovereignty equals eternal decree then eternity future is predetermined to the minutes degree even in heaven. God is chained to his own eternal decree forever because he also had to predetermin all his own actions for all eternity.
We will be involved with God in an eternal cosmic puppet play out of which not even God can break out.
If sovereignty = predestination then man has no free will and can not choose his moral actions. If what we can will is only what God wills for us to do then whatever we do is Gods will not ours. Then God is the author of everything that happens in the cosmic. Every rape, murder, adultury, genocide, robbery, deception, lust and greed would be what he finds pleasure in. If He does not find pleasure in rape why would He will it?
I of course don’t believe this because my theology is that all of God’s works are good, that God can’t be tempted with evil nor does he tempt any man, God cannot lie, God is Holy, God is not a respector of Persons, God is not the author of confusion, God is Truth, God is just, God is mercifull and God is the judge of every soul.
I have to stop here but if you are a calvinist you owe it to your selves to answer those questions raised above.
Andy

Comment on Just asking, March 3, 2010 edition by calvinistintraining

calvinistintraining — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:26:24 +0000

I was thinking of making a post with the title “Just Answering: A Response to the Lighthearted Calvinist”, but then decided not to…oh by the way this is Adam

Comment on The Churchmouse speaketh rightly on the dangers of biblical illiteracy in the church by churchmouse

churchmouse — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:53:02 +0000

Thank you so much, Jeff! I’m honoured and delighted with the mention!

Have a great day! :)

Comment on Calvinism finally proven false, once and for all by timothy

timothy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:49:33 +0000

calvinism is a man – made false religion