What is Reformed Theology?

[Rodger]

Amen, brother!

You know......Dr. Billy Graham wrote in one of his books and I do not recall which one, but he said that "In my opinion, only 25% of any church membership is actually saved"!

From my actual life experiences, I would say that he is a little high on the %.

 

[Fastfredy0]

My dear brother....I preached for 45 years in Southern Baptist churches and I never who was really saved.

I preached for 27 years in 7 Christian Reformed Churches. I didn't know who was saved

Interesting.
So, if you had to guess, what percent of people you knew that were regular church attenders were saved?

Aside: My guess for the general U.S. population is 5%. ? ... but for a Baptist or Reformed adult church population ... I'm going to say 60%.

Billy Graham wrote in one of his books and I do not recall which one, but he said that "In my opinion, only 25% of any church membership is actually saved"! From my actual life experiences, I would say that he is a little high on the %.

Oh, just read this. Makes my numbers look too high.

 

[Free]

Interesting.
So, if you had to guess, what percent of people you knew that were regular church attenders were saved?

Aside: My guess for the general U.S. population is 5%. ? ... but for a Baptist or Reformed church population ... I'm going to say 70%.

I think that number would be the same for the general and Baptist and Reformed churches. One of the big issues I have, at least with Presbyterianism, is infant baptism. I think that it can give a false sense of security and salvation, even though they still speak of hoping the infant will one day come to Christ and make a profession of faith. Too much carryover from the CC, imo.

 

[Fastfredy0]

One of the big issues I have, at least with Presbyterianism, is infant baptism.

Agreed. I go to a Presbyterian church, but I do not agreed with their doctrine of Paedobaptism. I'm still trying to get use to seeing people get baptized by wiping their forehead with a wet cloth.
I use to go to a church and they let you participate in the baptism of your children. My son, whose been a Christian since he was a kid, finally got baptized at the age of 35 and I sort of helped out.... I say sort of as I started to cry and asked the pastor to finish the task.

So, what percent of the adult U.S. population is saved in your opinion and what percent of adults attending a Reformed or Baptist church do you think are saved? Don't worry, when you get to heaven you won't be held responsible for a wrong guess. *giggle*

 

[Rodger]

I think that number would be the same for the general and Baptist and Reformed churches. One of the big issues I have, at least with Presbyterianism, is infant baptism. I think that it can give a false sense of security and salvation, even though they still speak of hoping the infant will one day come to Christ and make a profession of faith. Too much carryover from the CC, imo.

Yes. I agree.

Infant baptism does nothing but give a false sense of security for the parents.

In fact, it is probably a very good reason why so many have stopped attending church on a regular basis. Momma told me I was baptized when I was a baby so I am good now with God!

 

[Free]

Yes. I agree.

Infant baptism does nothing but give a false sense of security for the parents.

In fact, it is probably a very good reason why so many have stopped attending church on a regular basis. Momma told me I was baptized when I was a baby so I am good now with God!

I would expect it to be far worse in the CC, but I’m certain it happens in other segments that do paedobaptism. Of course, there are other reasons people think they’re saved when they’re not, such as just going to church.

 

[Free]

Agreed. I go to a Presbyterian church, but I do not agreed with their doctrine of Paedobaptism. I'm still trying to get use to seeing people get baptized by wiping their forehead with a wet cloth.
I use to go to a church and they let you participate in the baptism of your children. My son, whose been a Christian since he was a kid, finally got baptized at the age of 35 and I sort of helped out.... I say sort of as I started to cry and asked the pastor to finish the task.

So, what percent of the adult U.S. population is saved in your opinion and what percent of adults attending a Reformed or Baptist church do you think are saved? Don't worry, when you get to heaven you won't be held responsible for a wrong guess. *giggle*

It is, of course, impossible to say. Every denomination or stream of Christianity has its pitfall that could lead one to believing they’re saved when they’re not, although the number is likely to vary widely. And that may either include or be separate from the general cultural ideas that prevail on some areas (“My parents were saved, so I am too;” “I go to church, therefore I’m a Christian;” etc.).

 

[electedbyHim]

I think that number would be the same for the general and Baptist and Reformed churches. One of the big issues I have, at least with Presbyterianism, is infant baptism. I think that it can give a false sense of security and salvation, even though they still speak of hoping the infant will one day come to Christ and make a profession of faith. Too much carryover from the CC, imo.

Agreed.

 

[electedbyHim]

It is, of course, impossible to say. Every denomination or stream of Christianity has its pitfall that could lead one to believing they’re saved when they’re not, although the number is likely to vary widely. And that may either include or be separate from the general cultural ideas that prevail on some areas (“My parents were saved, so I am too;” “I go to church, therefore I’m a Christian;” etc.).

easy-believism

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

I preached 27 years in Christian Reformed churches and still don't know FOR SURE who was saved and who weren't. I won't speculate on what God only knows for sure.

 

[Rodger]

It is, of course, impossible to say. Every denomination or stream of Christianity has its pitfall that could lead one to believing they’re saved when they’re not, although the number is likely to vary widely. And that may either include or be separate from the general cultural ideas that prevail on some areas (“My parents were saved, so I am too;” “I go to church, therefore I’m a Christian;” etc.).

Is that like saying.......I am sitting in the garage so I must be a car?

 

[Rodger]

I preached 27 years in Christian Reformed churches and still don't know FOR SURE who was saved and who weren't. I won't speculate on what God only knows for sure.

I did that for 50 years and I am glad that I dont know.

 

[Free]

Is that like saying.......I am sitting in the garage so I must be a car?

Yes. Lol

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

I preached 27 years in Christian Reformed churches and still don't know FOR SURE who was saved and who weren't. I won't speculate on what God only knows for sure.

A tree is known by its fruits, let their works speak for themselves.

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

I did that for 50 years and I am glad that I dont know.

Yes, I am too. It would've been very distracting!

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

A tree is known by its fruits, let their works speak for themselves.

But for many they hide their unbelief so well that their outward works deceive people. In one of my churches, I had a three-year friendship with the head usher and assumed he was a Christian, but at the age of 50, he admitted to me his complete hypocrisy and a recent conversion experience. Small towns can do that to a person by expecting him to conform to biblical morality when he is inwardly a complete hypocrite.

 

[jasonc]

But for many they hide their unbelief so well that their outward works deceive people. In one of my churches, I had a three-year friendship with the head usher and assumed he was a Christian, but at the age of 50, he admitted to me his complete hypocrisy and a recent conversion experience. Small towns can do that to a person by expecting him to conform to biblical morality when he is inwardly a complete hypocrite.

Large churches and cities with a church will have that problem too .less likely in those blue states but not impossible.

Easier to hide in a large church .one can blend in and not be noticed as much if you are just there for the service and leave quickly.

I mean I can attend my brother's larger church and I might be greeted by one usher and sit quietly for the service and talk to a select few or none .
How many actually know the neighbors,Im from Mt county I can easily post a photo

https://jasoncran.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F641147307469963264

Locals will know where that is ,who lived in it and which two mayor's owned it and the bridge name sake and store connection . The cross isn't original to that .

Yet now a days the Yankees ,loosely used ,as others aren't as connected and couldn't do that in their neighborhood.

I know some of my neighbors but not all of them .just my corner .there is a park where the old homes are known by the families after they even leave and those that stayed still talk to the newcomers

https://jasoncran.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F769424879988752384

That is an example . That park has a tradition of Carroll singing on Christmas Eve .


I think that is less common in newer areas of my county as most dont connect like that .thus my point and given social media it's not surprising

 

[Rodger]

Yes, I am too. It would've been very distracting!

As well as depressin!

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

But for many they hide their unbelief so well that their outward works deceive people. In one of my churches, I had a three-year friendship with the head usher and assumed he was a Christian, but at the age of 50, he admitted to me his complete hypocrisy and a recent conversion experience. Small towns can do that to a person by expecting him to conform to biblical morality when he is inwardly a complete hypocrite.

Then that's moral incongruence, an ongoing inner conflict he gets to suffer. Paul had been there as he admitted in Rom. 7: 15 - "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."