In the following reply to my post, my sincere, but deluded correspondent underlined his own comments and left citations from my post without any underlining. He wrote from his heart and, without a doubt, he pressed his reply with vigor and conviction. Here's what he wrote:
"Man you are pretty harsh. *grin* But that ok. Just shows the true colors of both you and the "following" that you are with. You claim to preach truth is love, but all I see is hatred, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, sarcasm, etc... There is no love in the words that you speak. Is there no love in your heart? For the most part man, I got all of this from the website. Later on in the email, you asked me if I have ever had a an original thought from the scriptures. Have you? All I see is the same old rhetoric that can be found on the site. I want your opinion, not the opinion of the "following" that you are affiliated with. Let me hear you thoughts. Or are these thoughts your thoughts? I sure hope not due to the amount of hatred and discussed. Are the following thoughts your own? Or are they conditioned responses due to your affiliation with this "following"?
"Man you are pretty harsh. *grin* But that ok. Just shows the true colors of both you and the "following" that you are with. You claim to preach truth is love, but all I see is hatred, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, sarcasm, etc... There is no love in the words that you speak. Is there no love in your heart? For the most part man, I got all of this from the website. Later on in the email, you asked me if I have ever had a an original thought from the scriptures. Have you? All I see is the same old rhetoric that can be found on the site. I want your opinion, not the opinion of the "following" that you are affiliated with. Let me hear you thoughts. Or are these thoughts your thoughts? I sure hope not due to the amount of hatred and discussed. Are the following thoughts your own? Or are they conditioned responses due to your affiliation with this "following"?
"I am reluctantly going to reply to the "lovely" email that you sent, point by point, underlining my reply for clarity. I am not in any way expecting these words to reach you ears. I am merely doing this because I fell lead by God to preach the truth in LOVE.
"Thank you for your note. I am always happy to sit with those who are interested in spiritual matters. Happy to DISCUSS or just happy and quick to pronounce? However, I am not interested in a harangue with someone who proudly wears the name of his theological father as though it is a badge of honor. For not wanting to argue you sure are good and trying to get ones dander up with offensive words, nasty remarks, and hatred. *grin* Just so you know, I have dealt with your type and worse before. If you are looking for some joy out of getting me upset, its not going to work.
"John Calvin is not MY theological father. And I am in no way wearing his name as a name badge, but yes, I proudly hold to the system of beliefs that bears his name for they and they alone are truth. If you would like me to, I can refer to them as the Doctrines of Grace from now on.
"I wonder why anyone, who would worship and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, would proudly wear the name and revel in the theological identity of someone who lived and died 1500 years after Jesus died so that we might be called by His name and find salvation in Him only. As the great Charles Spurgeon said, Calvinism is just a nickname for Christian. But thats beside the point. You sure seem to take allot of time slashing and bashing the name of Calvin rather than dealing with the issue, whether the systems of Calvinism are true. Why don't you stick to that? I wonder why anyone would pat himself on the back for writing an email signature that denies both the spirit and the word of God's eternal revelation. How have I patted myself on the back? How do you know what I have done? That is a very bold assumption. And how does it deny the spirit and the word of God's Eternal Truth?
"I wonder why anyone would cite John 17:17 in his signature, even as he propounds a dogma that denies it to be true. Why? How do I propound a dogma that denies that John 17:17 is true. You are all about making factitious statements, derived from your own mind, rather than stating the truth. Maybe you should try that next time. A little less accusation and a little more supports for your beliefs. I wonder how on Earth a person can read the Word of God Well wonder no more... and then consent to bend to the will and way of a man who never understood the nature of God And how do I do this?, the scriptural identity and work of Christ, the revelation of the Divine mystery of redemption, the work of the Holy Spirit, the nature of the church, the nature and fruits of faith, and the nature of Divine grace? Like I have said several times before, you are so quick to make these claims, but you add no support. You say that I do this and that, but where is the proof?
"I wonder why anyone would claim to believe in grace when ~every~ element of the theological system he wears is fraught with legalism and the open exaltation of salvation by flawless deeds and works of human merit? You need to take less time slamming and name calling and take a little more time studying what true Calvinism is. Calvinism IS grace. Calvinism has NOTHING to do with legalism, but rather opposes it. Calvinism is the foremost opponent of what is known as Christian Liberty. Calvinism DOES NOT believe in "the open exaltation of salvation by flawless deeds and works of human merit.",but rather that man is unable to come to God on his own due to the amount of sinfulness and blindness as a result of the fall of man and that He is saved only because God has grace on Him. Do you know anything about true Calvinism? Or just what your "following" teaches you to believe? It seems more of the later.
"Have you ~ever~ had an original thought from the scriptures Have you?, or one that did not suckle the teat of a 29-year old fanatic and murderer of God's people? Man, do you have any grace and forgiveness in your heart? Have you done anything wrong in your life? Calvin was a sinner just as we all are. He did something that was very very wrong and he knew that, repented and was forgiven for that. Who are you to hold that above his head? Are you God that you should not forgive? Will you continue the program of the man whose name you wear? Yes I shall.
"Shall we begin with James 2:24, or will you also deny that the epistle of James is inspired of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work? Will you take that scripture for what it says and preach it exactly as James wrote it, without saying that James did not mean what even the ignorant can read that he said? Or, should we consider Colossians 2:12? Or, perhaps you would prefer to discuss Ephesians 2:8-9? We can begin whereever you like. I do not fear the word of God, but imbrace ALL of it as truth. So, lets get down to buisness now that you have hopefully gotten over your name calling and remarks without support or backing, maybe now we can actually discuss what the Word says. So, please, throw anything out there you would like.
"Remember, lets actually deal with scripture."
Truly, the last sentence of my correspondent should be the focus of our exchange. I have found, however, there are many who claim to want to "actually deal with scripture," but they end up citing historical personages and writings of other, even as my young correspondent did in his reply to my response.
The next post in this series will contain my reply to the post cited above. Before I go, let me be careful to thank you for your interest and attention to my musings. I have no intention to serve any other than my Lord and I hope that conviction is evident throughout this exchange.
Truly, the last sentence of my correspondent should be the focus of our exchange. I have found, however, there are many who claim to want to "actually deal with scripture," but they end up citing historical personages and writings of other, even as my young correspondent did in his reply to my response.
The next post in this series will contain my reply to the post cited above. Before I go, let me be careful to thank you for your interest and attention to my musings. I have no intention to serve any other than my Lord and I hope that conviction is evident throughout this exchange.
