What do I believe?
First I will try to define a couple words.
Calvinism/Reformed
Ok, I’m getting somewhere here. Oh, it’s not to say that no one has ever taught, preached, or discussed this with me. It’s just that my mind seems to only hold onto so much until certain facts find a place in the bottom of a back closet of my brain. So as I read a bit via my Google search I am reminded:
Calvinism and Reformed churches are all in the same place, basically. A key component of their doctrine is tied up in Predestination. That I do already understand, (sigh… I do remember some things from Bible College.) God decided before any of us were, who would be chosen to go to heaven and who wouldn’t. Humans have pretty much nothing to do with it, unless we are the chosen, then we must accept the gift of atonement. I think it also says that we really have no choice about whether we are good or bad. God already decided which we would be. That is really simplifying it.
As I read, I’m reminded of many things. There are 5 main points of Calvinism. The word Armenian comes into the text and reminds me as well. Our Pastor taught on this and I know I have notes. Now to remember when he taught it so that I can go back to the correct notebook and read through them. I’m sure he simplified things more accurately than I have!