I've come to the conclusion that I'm too dumb to read Calvin. I tried to read the document mentioned in my earlier post, called 'Calvins Calvinism,' but I couldn't get into it. I love to read informative books and articles from earlier times and normally enjoy the more detailed and precise language of those times, but this was not interesting to me, and the fact that Calvin kept referring to some other men who he called various derogatory names because they had the 'audacity' to believe in the free will of man was very annoying to me. The Bible teaches the free will of man along with the sovereignty of God, and as Spurgeon said:
“That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other. If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. THESE TWO TRUTHS, I DO NOT BELIEVE, CAN EVER BE WELDED INTO ONE UPON ANY HUMAN ANVIL, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring” (Charles Spurgeon, New Park Street Pulpit, Vol. 4, 1858, p. 337).
Following are some links from wayoflife.org that speak about Calvinism:
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinscamels.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinismprooftext.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/page22/page22.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/calvinismdebate.html
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/hypercalvinism.html
I think David Cloud's biblical view on the subject of Calvinism is the most sensible I have heard.
No, I'm not too dumb, but I do believe the Gospel is simple to understand and shouldn't require a high level degree and years of study to understand, and any system of belief that makes people proud and hateful towards others who don't agree with them is not the gospel.
Just to clarify, as David Cloud says in response to James White's desire to debate him on Calvinism vs. Arminianism: I am not a Calvinist, nor am I an Arminian; I'm a Biblicist.
CORRECTION: A reader has pointed out to me that I misunderstood Spurgeon's statement about man's responsibility and God's sovereignty, taking 'man's responsibility' to equal 'free will'. I did later realize my mistake but it never occurred to me to go back and correct it. Thanks 'Anonymous' for bringing that up :) Anyway, about 'free will' and God's sovereignty, I do believe "that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring". I believe our free will is subject to God, but that only He understands where the line is between them.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christ the Savior is Born!
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Must read Warren Smith's 'Reinventing Jesus Christ'
Here is a very important book called 'Reinventing Jesus Christ: The New Gospel' by Warren Smith that every Christian should read. Warren Smith is a former new ager who was converted to Jesus Christ and is warning people of the 'new gospel' proposed by the new age movement, via their new 'Christ' whom they call Maitreya. It is a very eye-opening book, exposing the shocking plans of the 'new gospel' evangelists and showing the prominent church leaders who have become part of this end-times delusion that was prophesied in God's Word. Please click on the blue book in the right margin of the page after you click on the link above.
In a related article, here is a commenatry by Paul Proctor speaking on the same subject.
These are urgent warnings that true Christians should prepare themselves for persecution and take care, as Jesus warned, not to be deceived by false christs (see Matthew 24).
In a related article, here is a commenatry by Paul Proctor speaking on the same subject.
These are urgent warnings that true Christians should prepare themselves for persecution and take care, as Jesus warned, not to be deceived by false christs (see Matthew 24).
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It's fun making homemade hand salve
This week I made homemade hand salve using expeller expressed virgin coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils, and wheat germ oil. It was very easy and fun. I also ordered some cute metal tins (8 oz.) to put the salve in.
I made 5 cups at a time, using tangerine essential oil for the first batch and lavender essential oil for the second batch.
All I did was melt 4 cups of coconut oil (it's solid in cold weather) on medium low heat and then add 1 cup of beeswax pearls. You can adjust the amount of beeswax if you like it more solid. The more beeswax you add the more solid the salve will be. I had to raise the heat a little until the beeswax melted. Then I took the pot off the heat and added a tablespoon of wheat germ oil (for the vitamin e) and about an ounce of the essential oil. I let it cool for just a few minutes and then used a small ladle to spoon the oil into the tins. It hardened and turned opaque as it cooled. Then I put the lids on and later made some nice labels for them. They will be used for Christmas gifts. My daughters and I couldn't wait till Christmas to use ours, so we each got a tin and tried it! It is very good for chapped hands and dry feet.
Pictures coming soon!
I made 5 cups at a time, using tangerine essential oil for the first batch and lavender essential oil for the second batch.
All I did was melt 4 cups of coconut oil (it's solid in cold weather) on medium low heat and then add 1 cup of beeswax pearls. You can adjust the amount of beeswax if you like it more solid. The more beeswax you add the more solid the salve will be. I had to raise the heat a little until the beeswax melted. Then I took the pot off the heat and added a tablespoon of wheat germ oil (for the vitamin e) and about an ounce of the essential oil. I let it cool for just a few minutes and then used a small ladle to spoon the oil into the tins. It hardened and turned opaque as it cooled. Then I put the lids on and later made some nice labels for them. They will be used for Christmas gifts. My daughters and I couldn't wait till Christmas to use ours, so we each got a tin and tried it! It is very good for chapped hands and dry feet.
Pictures coming soon!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Medicinal Herb Course on sale at TNfarmgirl!
Are you interested in learning about how to make your own herbal remedies? I've been wanting to for quite a while, so when I saw that TNfarmgirl has her medicinal herb course on sale until December 31 for only $15 dollars (that's $10 off the website price) I jumped on it! She will also answer email questions through the end of February (usually it's 30 days from the purchase date) so you can get lots of help for over two months if you sign up now! She also has lots of great-looking soaps and shampoo bars which I've been wanting to try; I ordered several for Christmas gifts.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Did John Calvin 'consent unto the death' of Michael Servetus?
Here is an article I read about John Calvin today. I had been told several years ago that John Calvin had a heretic put to death. I, not being a Calvinist and not knowing anything about him except by hearsay, did not have any reason to think this wasn't true and did not investigate it, though it always bothered me that someone who was supposed to be a reformer would be a persecutor.
I had started reading 'Calvin's Calvinism' here, and a reference to the incident caused me to look up more information on the subject. I found the above article that explains another side of what happened between John Calvin and Michael Servetus, who is the man Calvin supposedly persecuted.
I always have wondered what Calvin really taught; if he would recognize the doctrines that are attributed to him today. I have never read any of his writings, so when I finish the translated documents mentioned above, I'll let you know what I think.
I had started reading 'Calvin's Calvinism' here, and a reference to the incident caused me to look up more information on the subject. I found the above article that explains another side of what happened between John Calvin and Michael Servetus, who is the man Calvin supposedly persecuted.
I always have wondered what Calvin really taught; if he would recognize the doctrines that are attributed to him today. I have never read any of his writings, so when I finish the translated documents mentioned above, I'll let you know what I think.
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