tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post4175114355678875160..comments2023-11-02T04:29:42.178-04:00Comments on IN SUBMISSION to SOVEREIGNTY: Keith L. Tolberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-41110292745329503892008-06-16T11:52:00.000-04:002008-06-16T11:52:00.000-04:00Piper's Romans series, Desing God book, The Gospel...Piper's Romans series, Desing God book, The Gospel According to Jesus and a splash of the Holiness of God pushed me right into the Arms of the 5 Solas and 5 Points. This was 2004-2005 it was progressive. Then got into the heavier stuff around late 06. But all in all it was God through PiperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-1782502882236392812008-06-06T20:55:00.000-04:002008-06-06T20:55:00.000-04:00Speaking Truth,Well I firmly believe that you are ...Speaking Truth,<BR/><BR/>Well I firmly believe that you are well on your way to the "Aha" moment. <BR/><BR/>Those things you need (sound expository preaching, God-focus vs. man-focus, and the real responsibility of every true believer) are the bedrock of Biblical theology and Reformed theology is merely a nickname for Biblical theology.Keith L. Tolberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-55227102881340062412008-06-06T15:23:00.000-04:002008-06-06T15:23:00.000-04:00Great stuff Keith,I haven't had an "official Aha" ...Great stuff Keith,<BR/><BR/>I haven't had an "official Aha" moment yet - as you know I'm exploring Reformed Theology, reading (or trying to read) and visiting assemblies as the Lord leads.<BR/><BR/>I haven't "formally" identified myself as a "reformer" (and I don't even know if a ceremony, secret handshake and decoder ring are even really necessary) - I may just end up being a "non-denominational Christian" with a reformed understanding (pretty catchy, huh?). <BR/><BR/>My "Aha" moment, however, came after God allowed the blinders to be removed from my eyes to see that my complete acceptance of the Word of Faith heresy was in direct contrast to His will. I thought that any number of ceremonial rituals (slap your neighbor a "high 5" and say "money cometh"), "speaking those things that be not as though they were" (notice the intentional doctrinal assault), and allegiance to my "spiritual fathers" somehow reinforced the "better me" I had become in my allegiance to Church, Inc.<BR/><BR/>When God brought me back to my knees (and my bible) to reaffirm my utter depravity apart from Him through Jesus Christ, the unmerited Grace that He extended (and extends) to me despite my human ignorance, and my job to proclaim His liberating Word vs. "getting all I can get", I sought a return to the foundation of our faith.<BR/><BR/>I had to go back to Martin Luther's "memo" on the castle door.<BR/><BR/>I'm finding that reformed theology espouses everything I know I need - sound expository preaching, God-focus vs. man-focus, and the real responsibility of every true believer.<BR/><BR/>So, I'm still reading and searching...I'll let you know when the next "Aha" moment happens (if you're not there with me when it does)...<BR/><BR/>Peace brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-12491034226900621792008-06-06T09:57:00.000-04:002008-06-06T09:57:00.000-04:00No need to apologize, John. This blog is like the ...No need to apologize, John. This blog is like the New York Times used to be "All the news that's fit to print"!!!<BR/><BR/>I praise God with you for His grace toward you in removing the "hyper" from your calvinism and saving you from arminianism!!!<BR/><BR/>What the critics of calvinism often fail to understand is that the calvinist DOES NOT deny man's responsibity. The Bible teaches BOTH God's sovereignty AND man's responsibility. And so does calvinism! That's why calvinism = Biblical theology, just as Charles Spugeon said.<BR/><BR/>May God continue to bless you, brother!Keith L. Tolberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-4330311542464650452008-06-06T05:48:00.000-04:002008-06-06T05:48:00.000-04:00Hi Keith,I'm with Chad - that was a very enjoyable...Hi Keith,<BR/><BR/>I'm with Chad - that was a very enjoyable post.<BR/><BR/>My "Aha" moment was quite different. I had a hyper-Calvinist, almost antinomian upbringing. My thinking was "what is, is." And therefore I did not pray, attend church, or try to mortify sin. In fact, I did not even really see a personal need <BR/>for Christ.<BR/>My thinking was "the elect are the elect." Yet most of the Bible contradicted my belief. I had a way of only seeing the sovereignty when I read, but eventually I couldn't ignore the fact that man's responsibility was also taught. <BR/><BR/>Then I became a complete arminian, even renouncing the doctrine of election. <BR/><BR/>My "Aha" moment was when I was listening to a radio program. The topic was the fact that man's responsibility (to obey, believe, etc...) does not contradict God's sovereignty and the doctrines of grace. <BR/><BR/>Aha! What a burden was lifted. For the first time, I could read scripture without having to explain away large portions of it. It was after this that true repentance came. <BR/><BR/>Sorry, brother, for being so wordy. I'm a big mouth.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01101242277244136485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-55477795485343585962008-06-05T23:34:00.000-04:002008-06-05T23:34:00.000-04:00Thanks, Chad! I look forward to reading about it!Thanks, Chad! I look forward to reading about it!Keith L. Tolberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13636990625200355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36132101.post-42662078756472359012008-06-05T22:40:00.000-04:002008-06-05T22:40:00.000-04:00Keith, I enjoyed the idea behind this post. I've n...Keith, <BR/><BR/>I enjoyed the idea behind this post. I've never considered this. I'm going to think about my reformed "V8 moment" and try to post it as a comment. <BR/><BR/>Chad E.<BR/>Eastland, TexasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com