Answering Leighton Flowers - 'Why Most Christians Resist Calvinism' part 2

Looking at three areas of contention in Dr. FLowers' video - Lack of Bible Knowledge, Pride, and a Low View of God. What Calvinists mean by that, and examining whether it reality is simply misconception. Does the mere accumulation of Bible knowledge really make a difference? Is the issue of pride only one sided? Do non-Calvinist have a lower view of God? Just some thoughts.

[RefundamentalJoe]

A few things come to mind with the first few videos on this.

When YouTube started recommending Leighton Flowers to me, I listened to the beginning of one of his talks that was supposed to be somewhat conclusive against Calvinism, and he never got around to saying much of anything or especially addressing any Scriptures. I don't remember what video that was, but it was a joke, in a real way. I haven't wanted to listen to a word from him since.

The point you made in this video that you can adhere to all the right doctrines and still not be a Christian was a good one.

Flowers' contention that God predestinated people not to be convinced of Calvinism still seems to skirt around the issue of whether or not Calvinism is biblical. That would be more important. It seems to make sense that if few go in at the narrow gate and many go in at the broad gate in general, that even on the narrow path, some will do a better job of walking. The Lord chose 12 disciples. One of them betrayed Him and was lost. And then of the 12, 3 were given more access and responsibility. Of the 12, only 3 witnessed his transfiguration on the mountain. And of course they were chosen by Him. Mary and Martha were both His friends. Mary chose to sit at His feet. I've always felt sorry for Martha for doing all the work, and understand her annoyance with her sister. But Mary might have gotten to know Jesus better, by actually taking the time to listen to His words and get to know Him. She might have known more perfectly what kind of Savior He was than her sister. They both knew Him, but Mary probably knew Him a little better. I'd think that those who love their Savior would want to have a better understanding of Him than other believers might. Or, they might love Him more because He gave them grace to. And if they take the time to actually examine His words, that doesn't excuse the majority who don't.

I don't know if these analogies are acceptable, and wouldn't be dogmatic about them, but suspect there is something to it. The parable of the sower the seed and the soil could also be applied to Leighton's argument. Just because some bring forth 30-fold, doesn't mean 100-fold isn't better. And so just because the majority of Christians don't understand this, doesn't mean the Andy Stanley Avenue of rejecting the Bible is best. Also, the idea that we don't have to understand everything about God to be Christians is comforting. And that those who love Him will learn about Him over their lives, by His grace, and will be offended by errors that don't reflect Him properly. And also, some who have professed Him, will prove to be on the truly broad path. It doesn't matter if the majority of Christians don't accept Calvinism if the majority of Christians aren't really Christians, which, in today's world, seems like a very present possibility. And, those who attack Calvinism most harshly, from my vantage point, eventually turn out to be anti-Christian.

The part about the arrogance, anger and resentment, I think many Calvinists can relate to, because their former influences did them such harm. And that creates multiple problems. The self-righteous, arrogant, combative IFB certainly never taught me how to behave properly, or set any examples of graciousness. It would only make sense if I continue to act like them when trying to deal with them. Even if I don't want to, I had their example for years. And our reactions are often ingrained. A lot of what they would call caginess really comes from their pitiful example. Of course our own sinfulness and pride is a factor, and how to be gracious is something we learn on our own, from sincerely not wanting to hurt the reputation of what we believe. And because of that, many are afraid to argue or bring up the most important doctrines for a long time. They end up beating around the bush and not dealing with issues head on, in an effort not to scare people away, because of the difficulty of so many past experiences. Outliving all of these things seems to take time. And then we regret the amount of time it took, and especially the lost opportunities to witness properly. These are very personal things, and it is uncharacteristic for me to mention them.

Will watch the next videos soon, and looking forward to it.

Nice dogs!

[MariusVanWoerden]

The American Great Awakening was a reformed puritans movement and the doing of the Lord. Millions came to accept Christ our Lord as there Savior. Claiming that that was the work of a deceiver is crossing a dangerous line. [I rather say Reformed, we do not follow a man. Calvin was just a small part of the reformation.
Edwards's earliest writings brought together John Locke and Isaac Newton in a defence of a religious metaphysics. Later, after a career as a practicing clergyman who led the ‘Great Awakening’, Edwards developed a Calvinist theology founded on the covenant of grace whose centre was the experience of an omnipotent God. His views were most significantly spelt out in Religious Affections (1746) and Freedom of the Will (1754).
JONATHAN EDWARDS ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (CALVINISM)
"The Sovereignty of God is the stumbling block on which thousands fall and perish; and if we go contending with God about His sovereignty it will be our eternal ruin. It is absolutely necessary that we should submit to God as an absolute sovereign, and the sovereign of our souls; as one who may have mercy on whom He will have mercy and harden whom He will" (Jonathan Edwards).
The quote above, by Jonathan Edwards, is excerpted from Arminianism: Another Gospel -
Jonathan Edwards
Most historians consider Jonathan Edwards, a Northampton Anglican minister, one of the chief fathers of the Great Awakening.
Edwards’ message centred around the ideas that humans were sinners, God was an angry judge and individuals needed to ask for forgiveness. He also preached justification by faith alone.
In 1741, Edwards gave an emotional sermon, entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” No-one in the church had dry eyes. It was not the gifted preacher because Edwards read most of the sermon. It was a strong conviction of the Holy Spirit. News of the message spread quickly throughout the colonies.
Edwards was known for his passion. He generally preached in his home parish, unlike other revival preachers who traveled throughout the colonies.
Edwards is credited for inspiring hundreds of conversions, which he documented in a book, Narratives of Surprising Conversions.
George Whitefield
George Whitefield, a minister from Britain, had a significant impact during the Great Awakening. Whitefield toured the colonies up and down the Atlantic coast, preaching his message. In one year, Whitefield covered 5, 000 miles in America and preached more than 350 times.
Martin Luther said this Gospel of “grace alone” will be for a moment but soon attacked by the Devil. We see so much hate against the sovereignty of God.
Daniel 4: 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” It is time for Friedman to come to this same conclusion.

THIS IS HOW CALVIN PREACHED THE GOSPEL
FREE OFFER OF THE GOSPEL (Calvin's Wisdom p119-120)
He calls all men to himself, without a single exception, and gives Christ to all, that we may be illumined by him. When we pray, we ought, according to the rule of charity, to include all. God invites all indiscriminately to salvation through the Gospel, BUT THE INGRATITUDE OF THE WORLD IS THE REASON why this grace, which is equally offered to all, is enjoyed by few.
Other than the result of men’s refusal. Calvin never preached Double predestination as you can see and put the responsibility by men. Listen I say Preached. It is a Biblical Doctrine that God Choose or elected His Own and not the whole human race.
What about 70 Million Buddhists in Thailand. 93% in Thailand are Buddhists and 5.5% Islam. Why??? If God wants all men to be saved, did God fail to bring the gospel there so they could chose to be Christian or Buddhist? One born into Buddhism has no choice but Buddhism, Only the conviction by The Holy Spirit can change hearts.

[MrSamadolfo]

🙂 thx for these laid back videos, its rare here on youtube or even in the real world, i especially like to hear about your actual real past experiences & war stories & boots on the ground stuff, 😊 heehee alot of what u said i felt it too, i guess we all go thru it, still its really hard for me not to get triggered listening to the rants of people like Anderson 😡

😜 Anyways thanks for these videos, since its November maybe you could promote calvinism by making a video about Thanksgiving Day, The Pilgrims and their The Geneva Bible with Cliff Notes, Paul Bunyan, Pilgrims Progress 🦃 yay! 😀