Author: Steve Amato
Keywords: bible study,Calvinist,Calvinism,free will

## Discussions with a Calvinist

# Discussion with Teresa
Round 1

Dear Brother in Christ,

I have been engaged with someone from the Nee Church, i was so enjoying your site until I ran across this.

Some of Lee's theology is also an outworking of the implications of the theology of Calvinism on Pre-Salvation issues. Calvinism takes a strong stand against any effort on the person's part being involved in the process of salvation. (Salvation - justification - is viewed as Monergistic rather than Synergistic) Eternal life is a free gift, but Calvinists make it free in every aspect. They have the idea that even if you seek a free gift, it is not free. They eliminate even faith a condition for being born of God, reckoning the "chosen" to be regeneration before even hearing and believing (contrary to John 1:12 and Ephesians 1:13) Thus Lee simply applies this idea. You don't have to hear and believe - just breathe in Christ by calling on his name "O Lord Jesus". Seeking is not necessary or essential. It is not considered part of the conversion experience, contrary to Jesus' teachings - "seek and you will find". And I have found such people go out of the way to misinterpret the "seeking" parables of Matthew 13 (The Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price) so as to eliminate any seeking on the individual's part.

I just wanted to tell you that you are incorrect here.

Asa Calvinist I can tell you that we believe that NO ONE is saved unless they repent, and come to Christ in faith .

"By Faith are ye saved, and not works lest anyman boast."

The difference in Arminian and Calvinist thought on the topic is that Calvinists do not believe that unregenerate man will desire to repent , he will not desire to come, and that the faith to believe comes from God, it is not ( nor can it be )self generated.
No man can say Jesus is Lord , but by the Spirit of God !

I am very offended by your mischaracterization of the doctrine that was believed in and taught by all the reformers .
I wish you would take some time to study reform theology ( even if you never agree.)
As Christians we have an obligation not to misrepresent the faith of others.

Thanks for listening

Terry

(Member Bible Presbyterian Church )

# BCBSR Reponse

Terry,

Actually even given what you shared I don't see a contradiction with what I said. I said that Calvinism teaches a purely monergistic view of salvation. And you seem to agree with that. You say that Calvinism teaches "that NO ONE is saved unless they repent, and come to Christ in faith." Yes I know calvism teaches that. I don't see where I'm contradicting that fact. You affirm what I said when you stated, "Calvinists do not believe that unregenerate man will desire to repent , he will not desire to come, and that the faith to believe comes from God, it is not ( nor can it be )self generated." It's like I said, "Calvinists eliminate even faith as a condition for being born of God, reckoning the "chosen" to be regeneration before even hearing and believing." That's just saying the same thing you're saying. I just don't see where you think I'm mischaracterizing Calvinism. Or could it be that you're simply misreading what I wrote? And like you say, "Christians we have an obligation not to misrepresent the faith of others." So maybe you could clarify where I am doing that.

For other critiques I have made concerning Reformed Theology see the section "Concerning Reformed Theology" at http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/theo.html

Thanks,

Steve Amato
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources