[Gamecock]

GRPL Ping

We, of all Christians, should approach evangelism with the confidence of the efficacy of the Gospel.

[Patrick1]

I will go with John Wesley on this subject.

“Answer all [the Calvinists’] objections, as occasion offers, both in public and private. But take care to do this with all possible sweetness both of look and of accent...Make it a matter of constant and earnest prayer, that God would stop the plague.”

[dan1123]

In Orson Scott Card's book, Speaker For The Dead, there is a planet that Andrew Wiggin visits entirely populated by Calvinists...

[isaiah55version11_0]

awesome post

[MEGoody]

. . .a narcissistic message. . .

Narcissistic? Hmmm. . .so Calvinists never say that God loves anyone? Then pray tell, how in the world do they share the gospel? Do they avoid verses such as John 3:16 that speak of God's love?

I just don't see how anyone can evangelize without mentioning God's love.

[yankeedame]

What do you do? You despair of even making a dent for the gospel, let alone sparking a revival!

How can you have a revival when there has never been an establishment of said items in the first place?

Furthermore, why is the aforementioned completely inexperienced, still-wet-behind-the-ears given such a daunting missionary assignment, and apparently by all by himself? Is it some sort of test re: his dedication? Why would not a more experienced missionary be given this assignment, or at least accompany the newbie?

[kosta50]

That is the work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts men of their sin and who drives them to the cross.

Actually, according to Calivinism, God doesn't convict anyone for their sins; He predestined them to sin and hell before the world existed, before they even had a chance to sin! LOL!

[geologist]

“Calvinists are planters and waterers. We are not ones to try and take on the role of God by forcing growth where there is no growth. There are people who will accept the gospel and people who will reject the gospel. Whether the gospel is accepted or rejected, we strive for that gospel to be proclaimed in all of its truth. If we are to be messengers of the king, how can we be good and faithful servants if we do not proclaim the message we have been given?”
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Excellent!

I have often considered how fruitless I am. I have had a circle of friends that are mostly ‘new age’. For a time I drifted along rather influenced by them. Attended their church etc. Really knowing they were in the dark but interested in knowing their beliefs. ‘We are God’. Is the main center. A bit obscured, of course.

During a time of family medical crisis ..
I returned to the one true God and prayed for forgiveness.

Now in regard to the friends, I feel I am weak in their regard. I know how they think and how they belittle ordinary main line religion. They are not Bible readers and yet they do excerpt a few verses that suit them.

In fact I mostly avoid them now. Even friends of 30 years. I feel guilty and a bit of a loss about it. I do miss the good parts of our relationships. One of the reasons I stay away is I feel inept to preach the gospel to them as they have already discarded it. God forgive them; truly, ‘they do not know what they do’. Amen.

I am living for Christ. I love Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit. And feel like a failure in their behalf.

I often have thought that Missionaries go abroad to peoples they do not know as there is no personal connection to anyone there.

Our own families are often the hardest to reach.

Do you struggle with these same issues?

Read the Bible ... God will meet you there.