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hulsey
Moderator
Joined: 2006/7/5
Posts: 653
Missouri
| | Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | Here is a testimony I read that is contained in the biography of A.W. Tozer pertaining to the current discussions.
Quote:
I was preparing to go to Nyack College. Before I left there was one burning question I had in mind, and I went to Dr. Tozer and said, "Could you give me some advice concerning the problem of Calvinism versus Arminianism?"
And I'll never forget the advice he gave me. At the time I thought it was rather inconclusive and not too helpful. But I listened carefully. He said, "My son, when you get to college you're going to find that all of the boys will be gathered in a room discussing and arguing over Arminianism and Calvinism night after night after night. I'll tell you what to do, Cliff. Go to your room and meet God. At the end of four years you'll be way down the line and they'll still be where they started, because [b]greater minds than yours have wrestled with this problem and have not come up with satisfactory conclusions.[/b] Instead, learn to know God." (emphasis mine)
Cliff Westergren
To add a little history, the Moravians quarreled over the same issue. Their solution was to leave it in the Lord's hands and pray and they had a revival that launched the modern missionary movement and played a large part in why you and I are Christians today.
Blessings,
Jeremy Hulsey
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Jeremy Hulsey
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 2007/7/26 10:38 | Profile |
adamdawkins
Member
Joined: 2006/11/13
Posts: 140
| | Re: Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | Can we pin this post in the Scriptures & Doctrine forum? :) |
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| 2007/7/26 10:44 | Profile |
PaulWest
Member
Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas
| | Re: Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | Quote:
Their solution was to leave it in the Lord's hands and pray
A fine solution! One, most certainly, birthed in the wisdom of the Lord. Notice that after leaving it in the Lord's hands, they [i]prayed[/i] and had a revival. If you follow suit, you too will pray and experience personal revival.
Imagine being liberated from the ancient bondage of Calvinism versus Arminianism! Being able to reconcile it [i]to yourself in the Lord[/i], and maintain a clear, pure conscience, free from the [b]drive to impose[/b] your theological leanings on another brother or sister? For many, this will be a ground-breaking step towards a much deeper, fruitful walk with God.
Brother Paul
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Paul Frederick West
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| 2007/7/26 10:49 | Profile |
Tears_of_joy
Member
Joined: 2003/10/30
Posts: 1554
| | Re: | | Quote:
For many, this will be a ground-breaking step towards a much deeper, fruitful walk with God.
I hope that [b]many[/b] will ask themselves, why and what brother Paul is saying here. It is crucial, if you are in bondage to doctrine. |
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| 2007/7/26 11:15 | Profile |
hulsey
Moderator
Joined: 2006/7/5
Posts: 653
Missouri
| | Re: | | I would like to say, in the nature of a forum, that I'm not wishing that a Calvinist ceases to be a Calvinist, and an Arminian ceases to be an Arminian. But rather, that they are [i]free[/i] to be Calvinist and Arminian [u]together in the Lord.[/u]
Phi 3:15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. (NLT)
This is the attitude I've taken. If there is a Calvinist brother on SI, I expect to see Calvinist posts from him. Likewise, if there is an Arminian brother, then Arminian posts. And receive them in Christ freely and not to disputes (Rom. 14)
Because of this I've been enabled to receive so much blessing from the Lord. So to my Calvinist and Arminian brothers and sisters I say don't lay aside your doctrine, but don't pick them up to go to war. [b]Be a Calvinist and be an Arminian to the glory of the Lord and to the edification of His saints.[/b] And I will glory in the Lord with you.
Blessings,
Jeremy Hulsey
(edited for emphasis)
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Jeremy Hulsey
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| 2007/7/26 11:42 | Profile |
tjservant
Member
Joined: 2006/8/25
Posts: 1658
Indiana USA
| | Re: Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | " God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, "0 Lord, Thou knowest." Those things belong to the deep and mysterious profound of God's omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints."
A.W. Tozer
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TJ
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| 2007/7/26 11:42 | Profile |
iansmith
Member
Joined: 2006/3/22
Posts: 963
Wheaton, IL
| | Re: Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | I liked the illustration of a man on a boat that he used to nullify the differences between calvinism and arminianism in his book 'Knowledge of the Holy.'
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Ian Smith
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| 2007/7/26 11:45 | Profile |
HopePurifies
Member
Joined: 2007/4/12
Posts: 181
Georgia, USA
| | Re: Calvinism vs Arminianism and Wise Advice from Tozer | | I don't know if people will be surprised (seeing that I post on the Calvinist vs. Armenian threads quite often defending Armenianism) but I do agree with what Tozer said very fervently.
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Melanie
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| 2007/7/26 11:53 | Profile |
tjservant
Member
Joined: 2006/8/25
Posts: 1658
Indiana USA
| | Re: | | iansmith
Quote:
I liked the illustration of a man on a boat that he used to nullify the differences between calvinism and arminianism in his book 'Knowledge of the Holy.'
Im not familiar with it. Could you post it?
Thanks brother
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TJ
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| 2007/7/26 11:53 | Profile |
JaySaved
Member
Joined: 2005/7/11
Posts: 1132
Missouri
| | Re: | | I will post this on the other forum as well.
I understand that some people do not like the discussions concerning Calvinism. I also understand that this discussion can easily become very unfruitful and distracting. I also understand that many great minds have wrestled with this topic for many centuries.
Having said all that, a discussion concerning Calvinism can be very fruitful and encouraging. I simply ask that if someone does not want do discuss Calvinism, don't discuss it. If someone doesn't want to see it, don't click on the link to the forum.
I know that this can get annoying when there are 5 or 6 different threads all on Calvinism and I do hope that changes. I will be sure not to start any new threads on the subject and only respond on ongoing threads.
I hope we all can agree that discussing Calvinism can quickly get out of hand, but I also hope that we would not turn our backs on discussing this doctrine.
Also, I wish everyone would see the dialog that me and my brother LoveHim are having. We are both gracious and loving and seeking to find the truth of the matter. I applaud LoveHim for his graciousness and I am enjoying the discussion of scriptural truth.
God Bless. |
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| 2007/7/26 12:42 | Profile |
