I am in a quandry. Have you ever seen the cartoon, Wizard of Id? In some of those cartoons there is a prisoner or prisoners hanging on the wall in a dungeon with their arms spread out. I feel that way - strung between Calvinism and Arminanism. One day I think I am truly a 3 /12 point TULIP follower and then the next, I think perhaps I am more on the Arminian side. By Arminian I mean a true follower of what Jacobus Arminius taught - not the Finneyism that passes for Arminianism today. In fact, after reading Roger E. Olsen's new book, Arminianism: Myth or Reality, I am really majorly confused as it looks like Arminius was somewhat Calvinistic himself with the exception of a some points. I am questioning whether or not I should even be a member of reformed blogrolls, including the one I adminstrate for Adrian Warnock. I am neither Charismatic (I'm Pentecostal which IMO can be a huge difference) and I don't know at this point how Reformed I am. I do like the Reformed idea of sin as who you are instead of just what you do. I like their rejection of "holiness sanctification through legalism." I kind of see the predestined thing although I agree with Michael Spencer at his Internet Monk post today, Can You Give a Tulip to the Hurting?, that perhaps some TULIP types are going too far in an unmerciful attitude toward the non-predestined. I really don't see rpredestination in the gospels. But I do see it in Romans 9. Darn that Romans 9. It just messes up everything...LOL.*
I wonder how long I will be working this dilemma. At my age, I had better work it out soon....or I'll have to see the truth in heaven....:)
* - LOL=Internetese for Laughing Out Loud
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5 comments:
"I wonder how long I will be working this dilemma. At my age, I had better work it out soon....or I'll have to see the truth in heaven....:)"
Hey, in most Pentecostal circles, failing to work it out on earth meant that you didn't get to heaven. LOL!!!
J.P. Moreland says he's an old earth creationist four days a week and a young earther three days. You don't have to be 100% sure of everything all the time. Now, people organizing reformed groups may disagree, but I'd say you can be less than sure and still belong to them.
Myself, I tend to move more toward Calvinism (or at least what I think it is) as I read the Bible and more toward Arminianism (not Pelagianism) as I listen to Calvinists. Personally, I'm not sure either position is right, so I think we'll all learn the truth in heaven.
Totem:
YIKES!
Chris,
Good comment...:) I wonder if there others ut there like "us."
Just occurred to me that you might find my "official" position on Calvinism amusing.
Your not alone.
When I hear people quoting the Westminster Confession of Faith and CS Lewis more than their bible I know there is a problem and I see it alot. I feel like I want to have them memorize the portion in Hebrews about the peril of not progressing. They also think too much and not engage the heart. ( I don't like the booze either in reformed camps.- think RC Sproul Jr.)
Arminian's/pentecostal rarely think and say CS who? Seminary or college with that crowd forget it.
I sure am hoping the Holy Spirit continues to shake us up because something has got to give and I really don't want to do the house church thing. Thats worse IMO.
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