What Are the Genuine Affects of Calvinistic Doctrine?

This post has 288 words. It will take approximately 1 minute, 26 secondes for reading it.

[Blog writer's note: A proud Calvinist is an oxymoron; yet The Reformed faith in particular seems to draw people who have a lot of head knowledge and yet little if any of true saving conversion.  These same people are not only proud, but often self-righteousness and unloving to the core.  Jesus says we shall know them by their love, and Apostle Paul says without love we have nothing. I believe Calvinistic doctrine is true biblical Christianity, but the intellectualism of Calvinism also seems to draw people with a mental  assent to the truth, an  intellectual, reason based faith that is not saving or converting faith. Let us  pray we are not found wanting on that great day of Judgement.]

If I choose Him as my portion, it is because he has first chosen me. If I love him, it is because he has first loved me. If my heart is given to him, it is because he loved me and gave himself for me. If I am united to him, it is because he drew me with the bands of a man, with the cords of love, in fulfillment of his own most precious word: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Many reject this blessed truth. The pride of man cannot bear this humiliating doctrine, so subversive of human merit. But what are its genuine effects? It humbles the sinner, it exalts the Savior, and promotes holiness. That doctrine must be true, which places Christ on his throne, and the creature in the dust; which opposes the evil of sin, and delights in holiness!
–Thomas Reade “Christian Meditations: Or, the Believer’s Companion in Solitude”

Lay The Teachings of Men Aside for the God of All Truth’s Teachings

This post has 276 words. It will take approximately 1 minute, 22 secondes for reading it.

“I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” Psalm 119:15

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.” Psalm 119:18

While passing through this benighted world, how happy is the man who can say with David: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” While surrounded with errors of every kind, how privileged are we, of this highly favored land, who possess the pure unadulterated Scriptures of truth. Oh! that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly in all wisdom. Then we shall know how to choose the good, and refuse the evil. We are too apt to draw our opinions from the writings of men, rather than from the word of God; and to range ourselves under certain theological leaders, rather than follow the mind and commands of Christ. Thus parties are formed in the Church; and charity expires on the field of battle. If I would I reach the Fountain of Truth, I must pass by all uninspired men, however venerated for antiquity; however renowned for wisdom and piety. I must pass by Milner, Scott, and Simeon; Owen, Watts, and Doddridge; Hooker, Hopkins, and Reynolds; Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer; Luther, Melancthon, and Calvin; Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Basil; Clement, Polycarp, and Ignatius; yes the whole army of saints and martyrs, until I come to the Light of the World, the adorable Jesus, whose word is THE TRUTH; and to his inspired Apostles, who were guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth, and whose writings alone contain the mind and will of God under the gospel dispensation.

–Thomas Reade “The Believer’s Companion in Solitude”

Thomas Reade's