Why is this debate important?

Post by **_Murf** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:35 pm

I’m struggling to find any practical application to this debate in my Christian life. How differently does a Calvinist relate to his wife from a non Calvinist? Raise his children, witness to a stranger, work with his co-workers or give advice to a dieing friend?

Post by **_Allyn** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:40 pm

I'm with you Murf.

Post by **_Sean** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:49 pm

I also agree. It's almost as if the point is to learn the "hidden truth" about God. I don't see how this would affect your walk as a Christian. I often think about this when I listen to John MacArthur. He preaches like an Arminian until the topic of election is discussed. He's even admitted that he doesn't understand how "it" (conversion) works exactly. He even gave an example of someone hearing the gospel and being converted by making a decision to believe. If it's so mysterious, then why make such a fuss over it?

Post by **_TK** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:05 am

i have asked this question several times- tartanarmy responded, if i am remembering correctly, that if he did not believe calvinism he would be the most miserable man on earth.

i dont get that.

TK

Post by **_Rae** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:08 am

Maybe because, for some Calvinists, Calvinism is what they are living for.

I can see no other reason why life would be miserable without it.

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:29 am

I remember i was speaking to David awhile ago and he said something like , without Calvinism how could you find meaning in all the things that happen both bad and good.
The other argument seems to be about the sovreignty of God being lessened if man's freewill rules now. It seems to me that the Calvinist feels himself to be more humble if he gives God all the credit for every minute detail of every event and if he believes man to be as depraved as possible.

Post by **_djeaton** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:01 am

I think in lots of ways we fall into a trap of trying to figure God out and understand His ways instead of learning His heart and following His ways. This debate (and others) is great on an intellectual standpoint because it shapes how we understand the rest of Scripture, but it is too easy to take it too far and let our apologetic mind overshadow His Word speaking to our hearts. Getting into the meat of the Word is great, but don't spend too much time trying to digest something that has been chewed on for centuries without resolution.
D.

Post by **_TK** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:07 am

amen, DJ!

TK

Post by **_Michelle** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:43 pm

djeaton wrote:I think in lots of ways we fall into a trap of trying to figure God out and understand His ways instead of learning His heart and following His ways. This debate (and others) is great on an intellectual standpoint because it shapes how we understand the rest of Scripture, but it is too easy to take it too far and let our apologetic mind overshadow His Word speaking to our hearts. Getting into the meat of the Word is great, but don't spend too much time trying to digest something that has been chewed on for centuries without resolution.
D.

I agree with all of what you've written here.

One little thing...I'm not so sure that the fine points of soteriology are really the meat of the Word.

(Plus, a weird image is now in my head of meat that has been chewed on for centuries

)

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:19 pm

Plus, a weird image is now in my head of meat that has been chewed on for centuries )

I don't know why but i just lost my appetite.