In Summation

"If any man ascribes anything of salvation, even the very least thing, to the free will of man, he knows nothing of grace, and he has not learned Jesus Christ rightly." 

- Martin Luther

"No true Christian is his own man." 

- John Calvin

"He came to set the prisoner free, a message of simplicity." 

-Ted Kirkpatrick of Tourniquet

I hope that through these last five posts it has become clear just what I believe. It is no secret that I am a Calvinist through and through. Make no mistake. I don't think John Calvin was some sort of crazy prophet. But I do think he pretty accurately systematized the theology of the Gospel. What I'm saying is that I'm no follower of Calvin. I'm a follower of Christ. Calvin just understood the words of Christ better than most back in his day.

But what we know today as Calvinism, the theology itself, predates John Calvin, the man. Another name for Calvinism could be classical Christianity, or true Christianity.

The will of man has always been hotly debated among...well...men. For every group of orthodox Christians, through the ages, there seems to be group of people on the fringe, claiming "freedom of the will". At times this group of outsiders has had control. Catholicism before the Reformation had nearly snuffed out true Christianity. And even now, Arminianism has a good grip on the hearts of men once again. Charles Spurgeon quoting George Whitefield said, 

 

"We are all born Arminians." It is grace that turns us into Calvinists."

Ultimately, if we can learn anything from a solid study of the Bible, we can learn that God is in complete and utter control. To the lost, who hates God, this is dark news indeed. I would wish the Wrath and Judgment of God on no man.

But to the believing sinner.

The one that God has saved.

His great goodness and mercy know no boundaries. There is no limit to the blessing for those in Christ Jesus. His glorious grace has saved you. His love is set upon you. Unconditionally and without merit.

Paul said,

"In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

Do you number yourself with the elect of God? Have you learned of your sin? Do you put your faith in Christ for the removal of your guilt? If you have not, then do not delay. Christ will return for His church like a thief in the night. At a time when no man may know. Do not be bogged down in debates and arguing. Flee at once to Christ. There is no better time than now and there is no better God to serve.

He is truly the most gracious and good God-only-wise.

Sola Deo Gloria

An Introduction

"A careful study of the Bible would convince many people that it is a very different book than what they assume it to be."

-Loraine Boettner

"I don't want another dedication. I don't want another invitation. I just wanna know that I'm Yours."
-Paul Carpenter

I've wanted to write a bit about my journey into Orthodoxy for some time. Since I started writing things here, the desire has been quite nagging. So this is my attempt. This is where I will discuss the changes and shifts in my worldview. I'm not talking about my conversion to Christ. I'm talking about how my perspective concerning this conversion changed. There are a few people who would be interested to know how I can explain my beliefs and how I came to understand soteriology from the reformed perspective.

So over the next few weeks I will be posting 5 blog entries. Each dealing with a certain bit of theology that shook my doctrine to it's core. I hope to explain why my theological box got completely dumped out, and how (through the grace of God) I examined each piece, adjusted for Biblical accuracy, and then placed back in the box that is my brain. I know I'm no longer a Charismatic in the popular sense of the word. But I also hope it's understood that I believe "charismata" is essential to the Christian faith. I will say from the outset that I have many friends and family in many different denominations and I have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for each denomination. I believe there are certain attitudes and ideas found in them that could inform many in my own tradition.

But the issue is God.

Who He says He is. His relationship with His creation. And the salvation He provides for His children. He is truly a good God. Worthy to be worshiped. May His kingdom come on earth.


Coming Soon: Part 1. Totally unfamiliar with my own sin.