howell

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 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (Romans 9:20)

  The tweet reads: "If the Bible taught any of the five points of #Calvinism (TULIP), I'd immediately denounce it and become atheist."

An interesting admission, conceived in the heart of an evident anti-Calvinist, articulated in his mind, and published to the world by the click of a computer mouse. Let's give the author's chosen words their weight.

"IF THE BIBLE TAUGHT..."

And who wrote the Bible? Holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Not going to labour the point here. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God.

"...ANY OF THE FIVE POINTS OF CALVINISM..."

ANY of the 5 points? Not merely all five but any. OK. I get to pick. Let's head for the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. In a thumbnail, this doctrine teaches that all the saints of God , truly regenerate and saved (as opposed to empty false professors) WILL CERTAINLY PERSEVERE (because PRESERVED) in holiness unto the end. Actually this fifth point of Calvinist is shared with many non Calvinist Christians who struggle with the other points. We all agree (except Howell obviously) that Christ saves His people FROM their sins (Matthew 1:21) and that those thus saved, notwithstanding human weakness, are kept by the power of God through faith (1 Peter 1:5) unto the last. HA Ironside (Non Calvinist) words it well here for all of us.

 "...I WOULD IMMEDIATELY..."

 Without any sober reflection on the reality of (and I quote) what "the Bible taught." No time for prayer or consultation with others, Calvinists or non Calvinists. Immediately.

"...DENOUNCE IT..."

Not wait until further light was thrown on the subject. Not wondering perhaps if "I am wrong" or have misunderstood what the Calvinists believe and whether others who reject the other 4 points of Calvinism believe it (as with Ironside above). Not query it. No...every word counts here and Howell chose the word denounce.

"...AND BECOME ATHEIST."

 The spirit of atheism is already here is it not? Go back to the first words: "If the Bible taught..."Again, who is the Author of the Divine Book? The all holy, all wise, all truthful Spirit of God. Howell sits in judgement over the Book. His words indicate that he thinks he knows better than the infinite God. The godly soul yields to the authority of this Book. There are certainly hard things to be understood, which run contrary to the flesh. Peter said that Paul wrote such things, but he never advocated the action which Howell boasts of here. Once you sit in judgement over the Book, as expressed in the language of the critic here, then atheism  is only a stone's throw away.

An interestng tweet. FTR: Not every anti Calvinist says things like this. Many are able to articulate and argue their objections to any or all of the 5 points displaying a spirit of humility and godly fear.

Again, maybe out there, you will find some "Calvinist" hothead using similar language about Arminianism. Both sides of the debate have their emabarrassing supporters, so Calvinists can't afford to get too smug either.

Anyway, must move on. As said, an interesting tweet.

 THE END

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