Struggling With Calvinism Introduction

Struggling With Calvinism Introduction

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Book StudiesVerse by Verse
- Proverbs
  - Proverbs Chapter 1
    - Proverbs 1:1-7
    - Proverbs 1:8-19
  - Proverbs Chapter 22
    - Proverbs 22:6
- Luke
  - Luke Chapter 8
    - Luke 8:4-15 - Parable of the Sower, a Matter of the HeartThe seed of the word of God is given to all but not all have hearts that are good soil. Some are hostile, some are flaky, some are divided, but there's hope!
  - Luke Chapter 15
    - Luke 15:1-10 - The Overwhelming, Never-Ending, Reckless Love of God
- John
  - John Chapter 3
    - John 3:1-7
- Romans
  - Romans Chapter 1
    - Romans 1:1-17
    - Romans 1:18-32
  - Romans Chapter 2
  - Romans Chapter 3
  - Romans Chapter 4
    - Romans 4:1-15
    - Romans 4:16-25
  - Romans Chapter 5
    - Romans 5:1-11
    - Romans 5:12-21
  - Romans Chapter 6
  - Romans Chapter 9 - An In-Depth, Non-Calvinist InterpretationAn encouraging exegete of Romans 9 that maintains a high view of God's sovereignty yet respects the character of God as seen in Jesus.
    - Romans 9:1-12 - It's About God's Promise, Not Individual SalvationRomans 9, when studied properly, is a beautiful exegete of the Old Testament making known a mystery that prior to the Messiah was largely misunderstood.
    - Romans 9:13-18 - A Matter So Important God Saw To It PersonallyThe hatred of Esau, the hardening of Pharoah, not unloving as some claim but more importantly all part of God's election to make way for the Messiah.
    - Romans 9:19-23 - Man Plans His Way but the Lord Directs His StepsThe Potter's original intent wasn't to make vessels of wrath. This is a result of the clay spoiling. Therefore God remade them for a greater redemptive purpose.
    - Romans 9:24-33 - A Stumbling Stone to One Is Refuge for AnotherChrist offends those who pursue a right standing with God on their own because He accomplished what they cannot, and freely gives it to those not trying.
  - Romans Chapter 10 - Paul's How-To (and How-Not-To) On Being SavedAmazingly Profound Yet Incredibly Simple, Woven Throughout Scripture Yet Defined in One Verse, Offensive to Hard Workers and Good News for Freeloaders!
    - Romans 10:1-9 - The Easy Way or the Impossible Way, Your ChoiceMen not properly handling the Mosaic Law ignorantly seek to establish their own righteousness through it, blinded to the reality that they utterly fail to do so.
    - Romans 10:10-21 - Unbelief Isn't an Inability but a Deliberate RefusalIt's not an inability to believe, nor a lack of hearing the gospel that's the problem, but rather a deliberate refusal that's the issue.
  - Romans Chapter 11 - Israel Hardened So All May BenefitGod has NOT forsaken Israel but rather God is using those in their unbelief to bring about His greater redemptive plan for all..including Israel.
    - Romans 11:1-6 - Grace and Works Are Like Oil and Water, They Don't MixCan it be both Grace AND works? The Apostle Paul shows us that Mormon's, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, and all other's who pervert grace have it wrong.
    - Romans 11:7-24 - Profound Hardening of Israel for the Sake of GentilesIn one of the very few New Testament prophecies regarding Israel's future, Paul reveals God's mysterious redemptive plan benefiting both Jew and Gentile alike.
    - Romans 11:25-32 - Profound Mercy to Gentiles for the Sake of IsraelThe exclusion of Israel benefited the Gentiles, now the inclusion of Gentiles benefits Israel.
- 2 Corinthians
  - 2 Corinthians Chapter 12
    - 2 Corinthians 12:1-13 - What Could Possibly Torment Paul?
- Galatians
  - Galatians Chapter 1
    - Galatians 1:1-5 - The Calm Before The StormA greeting with grace, the very area the Galatians were failing in.
    - Galatians 1:6-10 - The Most Severe Rebuke In All Of Paul's LettersPaul dives into the issue of legalism right away and doesn't let up for the entire epistle.
    - Galatians 1:11-24 Paul Defends His Ministry and AuthorityPaul appreciates their need to validate his apostleship in order to believe the message he's preaching.
  - Galatians Chapter 2
    - Galatians 2:1-10 The Council at JerusalemPaul recounts the events recorded in Acts 15 regarding these infiltrators who were following him, undermining him and perverting the gospel.
    - Galatians 2:11-21 - Peter's Hypocrisy Opposed by PaulPeter's actions preached a message contrary to what he believed.
  - Galatians Chapter 3
    - Galatians 3:1-5 - Being Perfected by the Flesh (Legalism)Paul makes a crucial distinction between the Spirit and the flesh which the Galatians had confused, having been leavened by legalism
    - Galatians 3:6-9
    - Galatians 3:10-14
    - Galatians 3:15-18
    - Galatians 3:19-22
    - Galatians 3:23-29
- Ephesians
  - Ephesians Chapter 1
    - Ephesians 1:1-14
    - Ephesians 1:15-18
Theological StudiesBiblical Insight on Topics
Study SeriesFocused Theological Studies
- Struggling With DoubtA thorough, in-depth book regarding the subject of doubt.
  - Chapter 1 - Introduction"I want to believe but I just can't."
    - Welcome!
    - Introduction
  - Chapter 2 - Understanding Doubt “Only God and certain madmen have no doubts!”
    - Universal Doubt
    - Doubt is Not Unbelief
  - Chapter 3 - Understanding FaithWhy are we saved through faith?
  - Chapter 4 - The Origins of DoubtA person's doubt can stem from one or more of these different categories.
  - Chapter 5 - Reprogramming“God will not give us more than HE can handle.”
  - Chapter 6 - Truth and Grace"Truth without grace only kills, grace without truth goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and therefore unaccepted."
    - Truth and Grace
  - Chapter 7 - Who We are in Christ"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are..." - 1 John 3:1a
    - Who We are in Christ
  - Chapter 8 - Securities in God"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Tim. 2:13
    - Can We Lose Our Salvation?
    - The Pillars of God's Faithfulness
  - Chapter 9 - Doubts Disarmed"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." - 1 Thess 5:24
    - Doubts Disarmed
- God's GloryFor His glory? Because of His glory?
  - What is God's glory?Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” - Exo 33:18
  - God is Not a Narcissistic Glory MongerEven the lillies of the field will testify to this truth.
  - For His Glory - The Best Gift!Because He is glorious God is for His glory, which simultaneously results in the best possible gift for us.
- What is Faith?How does it work? Where does it come from?
  - What is Faith? IntroductionWhy is it important?
  - Faith is Not a WorkFaith is not meritorious and therefore earns you nothing.
  - Faith is Not an Object to BeholdAssurance is not found in faith itself but rather its object.
  - Faith is Not a FeelingFaith rests on facts, feelings follow faith.
  - Faith is Not Lumped in With GraceGrace is the source, faith is the condition.
  - Faith Is Not Merely a Knowledge of God - Even the Demons BelieveIf knowledge of God saved then all would be saved. Don't be deceived. There is a crucial difference between believing that God is and believing in God.
  - What is Faith?Faith is trust, saving faith is trust in Christ.
  - Faith Is Receiving and It's Really Really EasySalvation couldn't be any easier, nor more of a guarantee!
  - Where Does Faith in Christ Come From?I'm curious, how did you come about to faith in Christ?
  - What are Some Reasons that Cause People to Not Have Faith in Christ?Hard hearts, riches of the world, the enemy, simply unwilling.
  - Why Did God Choose Salvation to be by Faith?Why faith and not some other means?
  - What About Those Who've Never Heard of Christ?Do they know? Are they saved?
- Struggling With CalvinismRightfully a tough pill to swallow.
  - Struggling With Calvinism IntroductionIncluding internal and external resources.
  - The Devastating Self-Defeating Pitfall of CalvinismGod's love isn't a secondary quality.
  - The Disturbing Conclusions of CalvinismDisturbing conclusions hidden within Calvinism.
  - Narcissism + Christianity = CalvinismCorrelation between narcissists and calvinists.
  - Does God Have Multiple Wills?Does God have a hidden agenda?
  - A Shadow Of A Doubt - Calvinistic Word GamesA twisting of words to mean something else.
  - Free Will vs PredestinationA growing collection of scripture related to this subject.
- Struggling With OCDAccompanied by strong feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety.
- Struggling With LegalismThe Leaven of the Pharisees
  - Another Insufficient Attempt to Explain the Depth of God’s GraceIt’s Too Wonderful to Fully Explain but I Like Trying
  - “If You Love Me” Is Not a CommandLegalists Default to Seeing It as Such
  - Jesus Reacts to Having Just Finished Your RedemptionTake a look at His first post-resurrected message to His disciples
  - God Isn't Looking to Disqualify You Based on a TechnicalityLooming in many a deep-seated feeling that God will somehow disqualify them based on a technicality.
  - Those Under Grace Need Not Worry About Abusing ItSome, out of fear of abusing God's grace don't apply it at all. This is actually more detrimental.
The Gospel of SalvationA Free, No Strings Gift to Those that Ask
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Our desire is to encourage and exhort, to teach about God as He is Whom is glorious and wonderful to behold! We desire to teach what the bible does say rather than chase what it doesn't say. However given the rise in Calvinism within the church and in lieu of 2 Corinthians 10:5, let's proceed.

This is a touchy subject so let me start with some disclaimers. First, my beef is with Calvinism, not Calvinists. Furthermore I consider many calvinists in my life to be my genuine brothers and sisters in Christ. So if there is to be friction with calvinists then I consider it a family quarrel. I'm also aware that what I describe as Calvinism and what you may describe as Calvinism can differ. In my research I have found many different takes on Calvinism and even found those who identify as calvinists who I would argue are not.

Because this is a touchy subject it has already garnered a lot of attention and while I will debate Calvinism theology I don't necessarily need to rehash what I've found out there already that I believe to be spot-on so I will offer some good resources on that here. Some core debated items such as God's glory and a Christian's faith we do address in other articles herein along with studies on Romans 9, Ephesians 1, and a growing list of scriptures pertaining to the subject.

Digging into the nuts and bolts of Calvinism? Here are some great resources to get you started!

Soteriology 101 - Professor Leighton Flowers (a former calvinist) humbly explores the vast aspects of Calvinism and it's pitfalls. Website, YouTube Channel

BibleThinker - Pastor Mike Winger clearly speaking biblical truths on various sensitive subjects largely including Calvinism. Website, YouTube Channel

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Have some feedback, insight, questions, comments, prayer requests, etc? Maybe you just want to share what God is doing in your life (I love praise reports), or maybe you can relate to some of the things here and need an ear. I'd love to hear from you!

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