Robert Pate
Member
Who am I to question Calvinism?
I am a former subscriber and supporter of Verdict Publications. Verdict was a worldwide theological magazine that was founded by Robert D. Brinsmead in the early 70's. Verdict was directed to pastors, Seminary professors, Christian scholars and theologians. It was not for the lay Christian. Those that wrote articles for Verdict usually had a degree in theology. I was a subscriber and supporter of Verdict for over 20 years. Some of the most prominent Christian scholars of our time wrote articles for Verdict. I frequently struggled to understand what was being written because I am not that well educated. Brinsmead held a number of seminars here in the U.S. I was able to attend some of them. Brinsmead was from Australia and had come out of Adventism before he began publishing Verdict. He retired in the early 90s due to his age. Much of his work is still available on the internet.
The Gospel Vs. Calvinism
The historical Gospel of Jesus Christ calls all religions and all religious thought into question. God was in Christ reconciling us and the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. How did God reconcile us and the world unto himself? Jesus is God's new Adam and the representative of the human race. All that Jesus was, and all that Jesus did, was for our justification and our salvation. Jesus is the end and the fulfilment of the Old Covenant, the law and the Jewish religion. Paul said, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes" Romans 10:4.
All religions including Calvinism are based upon law. Law is what we do. Religion is composed of laws and rules, if you don't adhere to the laws and rules you are anathema. Religion is also composed of a belief system; you must follow the belief system or you are out. There is no freedom in religion, you must, you must, you must. Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed" John 8:36. The purpose of the Gospel is to make us free from religion.
In the Gospel no one needs to be predestinated, because, everyone has ALREADY been reconciled unto God, yes, Jesus has ALREADY reconciled us and the world unto God, are you sure that you heard that? When God accepted Jesus back into heaven we were accepted in him, because our humanity was constituted in him. This is how we have been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Note Calvinist. "That we should be holy and without blame before him in Love" Ephesians 1:4. This is the only way that God can see you as holy and without blame. God must see you as perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. No, this is not universalism, you must by your own free will be reconciled unto God.
The condition for receiving the Holy Spirit is that God must see us "In Christ". God does not impart his Holy Spirit to sinners. If God does not see you "In Christ" in the judgment you will perish. God is holy beyond human comprehension. If he sees us in our fallen unredeemed Adamic bodies, he must judge us. Romans 8:23. How is one "In Christ?". All that have come to Christ as repentant sinners to be saved by him are spiritually placed "In Christ" God only sees them "In Christ". Paul said to the Colossians, "For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" Colossians 3:3. I don't know about you, but that is where I want to be.
Religion is anti-Gospel and anti-Christ, especially Calvinism. I once had a Calvinist say to me, "I don't need a bloody cross to save me, I have been predestinated". Many, not all, Calvinist think the same thing. Religion is an attempt to save yourself by the works of the law (what you do) Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, didn't we" Matthew 7:21-23. No one will be saved by what they do or by what they have become.
Jesus claims to be the savior of the whole world, John 12:47. Jesus has saved the world by reconciling us and the world unto God. The question is, will you accept God's offer of reconciliation? Paul said, "Be ye reconciled unto God" 2 Corinthians 5:20. This is something that you will have to accept. God is not going to predestinate you to be reconciled to him. You and you alone will have to accept the offer of reconciliation or reject it. To accept it means eternal life. To reject it means eternal damnation.
I am a former subscriber and supporter of Verdict Publications. Verdict was a worldwide theological magazine that was founded by Robert D. Brinsmead in the early 70's. Verdict was directed to pastors, Seminary professors, Christian scholars and theologians. It was not for the lay Christian. Those that wrote articles for Verdict usually had a degree in theology. I was a subscriber and supporter of Verdict for over 20 years. Some of the most prominent Christian scholars of our time wrote articles for Verdict. I frequently struggled to understand what was being written because I am not that well educated. Brinsmead held a number of seminars here in the U.S. I was able to attend some of them. Brinsmead was from Australia and had come out of Adventism before he began publishing Verdict. He retired in the early 90s due to his age. Much of his work is still available on the internet.
The Gospel Vs. Calvinism
The historical Gospel of Jesus Christ calls all religions and all religious thought into question. God was in Christ reconciling us and the world unto himself, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. How did God reconcile us and the world unto himself? Jesus is God's new Adam and the representative of the human race. All that Jesus was, and all that Jesus did, was for our justification and our salvation. Jesus is the end and the fulfilment of the Old Covenant, the law and the Jewish religion. Paul said, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes" Romans 10:4.
All religions including Calvinism are based upon law. Law is what we do. Religion is composed of laws and rules, if you don't adhere to the laws and rules you are anathema. Religion is also composed of a belief system; you must follow the belief system or you are out. There is no freedom in religion, you must, you must, you must. Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed" John 8:36. The purpose of the Gospel is to make us free from religion.
In the Gospel no one needs to be predestinated, because, everyone has ALREADY been reconciled unto God, yes, Jesus has ALREADY reconciled us and the world unto God, are you sure that you heard that? When God accepted Jesus back into heaven we were accepted in him, because our humanity was constituted in him. This is how we have been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Note Calvinist. "That we should be holy and without blame before him in Love" Ephesians 1:4. This is the only way that God can see you as holy and without blame. God must see you as perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10. No, this is not universalism, you must by your own free will be reconciled unto God.
The condition for receiving the Holy Spirit is that God must see us "In Christ". God does not impart his Holy Spirit to sinners. If God does not see you "In Christ" in the judgment you will perish. God is holy beyond human comprehension. If he sees us in our fallen unredeemed Adamic bodies, he must judge us. Romans 8:23. How is one "In Christ?". All that have come to Christ as repentant sinners to be saved by him are spiritually placed "In Christ" God only sees them "In Christ". Paul said to the Colossians, "For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" Colossians 3:3. I don't know about you, but that is where I want to be.
Religion is anti-Gospel and anti-Christ, especially Calvinism. I once had a Calvinist say to me, "I don't need a bloody cross to save me, I have been predestinated". Many, not all, Calvinist think the same thing. Religion is an attempt to save yourself by the works of the law (what you do) Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, didn't we" Matthew 7:21-23. No one will be saved by what they do or by what they have become.
Jesus claims to be the savior of the whole world, John 12:47. Jesus has saved the world by reconciling us and the world unto God. The question is, will you accept God's offer of reconciliation? Paul said, "Be ye reconciled unto God" 2 Corinthians 5:20. This is something that you will have to accept. God is not going to predestinate you to be reconciled to him. You and you alone will have to accept the offer of reconciliation or reject it. To accept it means eternal life. To reject it means eternal damnation.