I mean yes, I am a calvinist myself, but in all the information I read on the calvinists they dont ever witness to people like the Bible clearly points out that we should. I'm begining to see some flaws in Calvinism. I am hoping to get some input from calvinists and armenians alike, so whoever is reading this, please give me some input on this.
2006-08-20 02:21:36 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The idea that Christians shouldn't witness is sort of a bastard child of Calvinism. If you hold that no individual has the power to choose God -- in fact, that God saves everyone who he wants to save and condemns everyone he wants to condemn, regardless of any human intervention -- then it can seem pointless to "spread the gospel." If nothing you say or do could influence whether or not another human is saved, why would you bother?
Now, to actually stop witnessing to others is, as you know, ignoring some passages in the Bible, which is why the total cessation of missionary labor is taking the whole predestination thing one step too far. The best answer, from a Calvinist perspective, is that we are to be God's vessels in doing his work; we should obey his commandment to spread the gospel, even as we acknowledge that anyone saved thereby was destined to be so.
2006-08-20 02:33:58 · answer #1 · answered by Drew 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some do. Calvinists are pretty much into stressing the presence of Christ in culture and therefore Calvinists take the lead in bearing witness to the gospel in areas such as political theory, public life, scholarship, the arts, etc. As for evangelistic efforts, some staunch Calvinist may say that it's not necessary since people are born with their destiny already engraved, but still other will want to doubt such "basic" tenets as predestination.
2006-08-20 02:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work with a strict Calvinist and she truly believes in her heart that God has ordered the elect and all others are going to Hell, so there is no reason for evangelism.....She is one of the most dedicated students of the Bible I have ever seen, but her fruits are not good as she is very resentful of all around her because she believes that they just don't want to hear the truth. She cannot see that it is her sometimes hateful attitude that is causing people to flee.....
As far as witnessing, I would suggest for Christians to go into their prayer closets and meditate upon the teachings of Christ before they go out and do any further witnessing....They are horribly missing the mark...
2006-08-20 02:38:44 · answer #3 · answered by Denise W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one should ever witness or try to recruit anyone - it is rude to put yourself in a place of authority or superiority over someone elses personal religion. So, if the Calvinists aren't doing that, then they are good by me.
2006-08-20 02:30:54 · answer #4 · answered by Robsthings 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "Calvinist" belief is that God selects or "pre-destined" everything. So then the average Calvinist thinks "what's the use?" and doesn't do the evangelism.
That's my understanding anyway?
2006-08-20 02:29:52 · answer #5 · answered by Paul McDonald 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where does the Bible point out like we clearly should?
The old Testament is out.
Jesus is already here.
New Testament is here by His sacrifice 2000 years ago.
Inaugurated by His Blood.
Read Heb. 9+10.
In Matt. He was talking to the 11.
Read it.
He wasn't talking to you.
Mat 28:16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
Mat 28:17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Mat 28:16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
Mat 28:17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Where else did He say it?
I believe that God is the Savior, not me.
He saved me and He didn't send anyone.
Right here in my house.
I was alone.
I believe that witnessing is perpetrated by the religionists. Baptists in particular.
2006-08-20 02:40:04 · answer #6 · answered by chris p 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well that is the whole point with Protestantism, if you disagree on some quibbling little detail you can break away and start your own sect.
Try life instead.
2006-08-20 02:27:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do you need to witness people? Shouldn't a person's religion be a private thing between themselves and "God" ? If God exists, you would think that would be enough??
2006-08-20 02:27:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋