Some biblical reasons why I am a Calvinist

There was a time when I would have run a mile at the very thought of being described as a Calvinist! However, the following two scriptures play  a large part in why I have come to embrace reformed theology. Why am I a Calvinist? Quite simply, because the bible clearly teaches God’s sovereignty in election.  Calvinists are big on the doctrine of election and God’s sovereignty. If you are curious about these issues read and pray through the following verses.

Romans Nine

14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses,
   ”I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
      and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

 19One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

Romans Eight

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Some biblical reasons for being an evangelical

In my time as a Christian, I have rubbed shoulders, and in some cases became friends with those Christians who would identify themselves as liberal. Generally they don’t stress evangelism too much, if they do it usually takes the form of social action, and they don’t like the concept of preaching to people etc. In particular they do not like the use of concepts like hell, eternal judgement etc neither do they like to stress Christ as the only way of salvation. Many of them would caricature such methods by phrases such as ‘turn or burn’. Such Christians will often down play the need for pure doctrine, they will see such an emphasis as divisive. However the following texts, are a few indicators of why it is biblically sound to be unashamedly evangelical.

Mark sixteen

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Matt Twenty Eight

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Tim Three

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching

, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Some biblical reasons for being charismatic

Many of my friends in the evangelical wing treat anything charismatic with a fair dose of suspicion. Sometimes their suspicions are not unfounded, charismatics, to use a borrowed phrase, tend to work on the principle ‘if its odd it must be God’! Sad, but true. However, present day testimony and experience of the present day presence, power and gifts of the Holy Spirit is good, healthy and biblical! Check out the following verses.

 Acts Two

14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
 17” ‘In the last days, God says,
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
      your young men will see visions,
      your old men will dream dreams.
 18Even on my servants, both men and women,
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
      and they will prophesy.
 19I will show wonders in the heaven above
      and signs on the earth below,
      blood and fire and billows of smoke.
 20The sun will be turned to darkness
      and the moon to blood
      before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
 21And everyone who calls
      on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

1 Cor Fourteen

1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.