Anyone here that used to be a Calvinist?

[Guest1]

What made you leave Calvinism?

 

[MikeFr]

There is no “Calvinist” denomination. The more widely used term is “Reformed”. These churches trace their roots back to the 16th century reformer John Calvin.

There are varieties of reformed churches. Some of the more conservative Presbyterian denominations are reformed. There is also a denomination called reformed.

 

[Fauken]

So what churches are generally described as being Calvinist?

Generally anything with “Reformed” in the name is Calvanist. Presbyterians are is the most popular Calvanist denomination I know of. I think the Baptists have an undercurrent of Calvanism through them as well.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

My husband and his parents were Presbyterian and his grandmother was Reformed Presbyterian. He considered his family to be Calvinists. We used to joke about it.

Of course, when I said that on here someone gave me an argument about Presbyterians not being Calvinists. Hey, all I know is what I’m told.

 

[Lev]

Just from speaking with Calvinists about salvation I know they are very into the predestination thing. The believe that God made people from the start some ‘elect’ and the rest ‘reprobate’. ie destined for hell no matter what. They believe that no matter how good you have been in your life that you will still go to hell if you are reprobate and vice versa for the elect (which they of course believe they are). The believe that all people are like filthy rags and worm food and only the elect are transformed by the arbitrary choice of God. It is always a strange conversation with a Calvinist.

 

[ATraveller]

Of course, when I said that on here someone gave me an argument about Presbyterians not being Calvinists. Hey, all I know is what I’m told.

That’s incredibly bizarre considering Presbyterians are supposed to adhere to the Westminster confessions, which are Calvinist.

 

[Brendea]

I went to a Presbyterian high school for 5 months

 

[ATraveller]

The believe that God made people from the start some ‘elect’ and the rest ‘reprobate’. ie destined for hell no matter what.

Not all. The vast majority don’t believe God created people so they can be sent to hell. The Westminster Confession of Faith:

God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil.

Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good, and well pleasing to God; but yet, mutably, so that he might fall from it.

Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.

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They believe that no matter how good you have been in your life that you will still go to hell if you are reprobate and vice versa for the elect (which they of course believe they are).

Not quite.

These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto; that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.

Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet, their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.

The Westminster Confession of Faith - Ligonier Ministries

 

[ZMystiCat]

I was a pretty hardline Calvinist throughout college. I left shortly after college. The main driver was a desire for greater focus on the sacraments and a recognition of those sacraments, namely marriage and holy orders, which they tend to reject.

That said, there were some specifically Calvinist doctrines that I ultimately drifted away from like perseverance of the saints, double predestination, understanding of free will, etc. A lot of that coincided with my acceptance of Catholic standpoints, but I was questioning those doctrines well before then. It might be more correct, though, to say I was tired of the roundabout non-answers given to challenging questions.

Of course, when I said that on here someone gave me an argument about Presbyterians not being Calvinists.

As a former Presbyterian, I can say with absolute certainty that Presbyterians are Calvinists. The Westminster Confession, which largely defines Presbyterian belief, is one of the most famous Calvinist doctrines there is.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I haven’t read it, and although I will say that I like Calvinism, as an idea, less than Lutheranism, but I will say, for the most part, Calvin was quite a bit more consistent.

 

[Lara]

Dutch Christian Reformed churches are Calvinist. They don’t believe in dancing. They are very strict about not working on Sunday.

 

[Camehome4john6]

Cradle Catholic here who did the Presbyterian thing for 20 years and came back. Presbyterians are most definitely calvinist, the more conservative branches are all the more so.

What brought me back?
Every communion service the pastor would say 1 Cor 11:29.
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
(Now this is the NIV translation that our PCA church used.)
This became increasingly uncomfortable for me. So I did what any modern Christian would in times of spiritual crisis…I googled and googled and googled.
And I found, or rather rediscovered, John 6.
I also found sola scriptura, relying only on scripture, to be nowhere found in scripture.
I also couldn’t find sola fides, faith alone, in the Bible except in James where it says not by faith alone.
There are other theological reasons, limited atonement, researching and wanting to stay truer to early forms of worship (Didache), etc., but it kinda boiled down to thinking if the Catholic Church was right about these major things why shouldn’t I come back? Also, in the back of my mind was the question, “So it took 1500 years for it all to get figured out…how did all those Christians get saved before Luther and Calvin straightened 'em all out?”

I still hold things I’m a little shaky about like purgatory at arms length but I’m coming around and for the most part am “all in”. I’ve allowed our Lady back into my life and she always takes my hand and leads me to her son. There’s so much comfort in living the Liturgical year…every year is all about Jesus. At our Presbyterian church on the other hand the readings tended to be topical or sometimes we’d spend years going through a single book of the Bible.

I’ve crossed the Tiber, the dh hasn’t yet. But he has gotten his toes in the river and is allowing me to splash him. He attends mass with me and he’ll pray, respond, and cross himself but hasn’t recieved communion yet. Two adult kids come with us regularly, two can’t wake up for anything on a Sunday. I’m always praying for them and in the back of my mind there is the not so small comfort and consolation that at least they had been baptized Catholic. Some knots are undone in God’s time not mine.

About a year after my reversion I found the book by Scott Hahn called Rome Sweet Home. He deals with these things far better than I and I highly recommend the book .

 

[Guest1]

If you don’t mind me asking what made you become a calvinist/Presbyterian?
@Camehome4john6

 

[LostSheep7]

I was a Presbyterian for 5 years, so I was a Calvinist

 

[BlueMaxx]

Cradle Catholic here who did the Presbyterian thing for 20 years and came back. Presbyterians are most definitely calvinist, the more conservative branches are all the more so.

What brought me back?
Every communion service the pastor would say 1 Cor 11:29.
For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
(Now this is the NIV translation that our PCA church used.)
This became increasingly uncomfortable for me. So I did what any modern Christian would in times of spiritual crisis…I googled and googled and googled.
And I found, or rather rediscovered, John 6.
I also found sola scriptura, relying only on scripture, to be nowhere found in scripture.
I also couldn’t find sola fides, faith alone, in the Bible except in James where it says not by faith alone.
There are other theological reasons, limited atonement, researching and wanting to stay truer to early forms of worship (Didache), etc., but it kinda boiled down to thinking if the Catholic Church was right about these major things why shouldn’t I come back? Also, in the back of my mind was the question, “So it took 1500 years for it all to get figured out…how did all those Christians get saved before Luther and Calvin straightened 'em all out?”

I still hold things I’m a little shaky about like purgatory at arms length but I’m coming around and for the most part am “all in”. I’ve allowed our Lady back into my life and she always takes my hand and leads me to her son. There’s so much comfort in living the Liturgical year…every year is all about Jesus. At our Presbyterian church on the other hand the readings tended to be topical or sometimes we’d spend years going through a single book of the Bible.

I’ve crossed the Tiber, the dh hasn’t yet. But he has gotten his toes in the river and is allowing me to splash him. He attends mass with me and he’ll pray, respond, and cross himself but hasn’t recieved communion yet. Two adult kids come with us regularly, two can’t wake up for anything on a Sunday. I’m always praying for them and in the back of my mind there is the not so small comfort and consolation that at least they had been baptized Catholic. Some knots are undone in God’s time not mine.

About a year after my reversion I found the book by Scott Hahn called Rome Sweet Home. He deals with these things far better than I and I highly recommend the book .

Very similar to my journey…well put…thanks for sharing…

 

[Camehome4john6]

What drove me away?
Late 80s early 90s nonsense. Inclusive language (I would joke with my husband that the minute I hear the Our Parent being prayed at mass I was outta there) and watered down everything. Gotta realize that I came up in the age of liturgical dance and felt banners.
So I threw the baby out with the bath water as it were.
Of course i had 4 children under 7 at the time and the protestant churches we visited were really really welcoming (tbf they do that sooo much better than we) and had nurseries and children’s church and I could sit with my husband and actually concentrate on the service. And there were social events and mothers groups galore! That could’ve swayed me. And in their doctrine, even though Catholics would disagree with it, at least the PCA churches were absolutely uncomprmising…I respected that after the changes I was seeing in the CC.
There’s still nonsense this side of the Tiber …but I’m backing the Holy Spirit to straighten things out eventually. Meanwhile, I’ll receive Jesus as he meant himself to be recieved and pray.
Edited to add:
PCA is Presbyterian Church in America. They are the smaller, conservative branch of the Presbyterians. They are pro-life and don’t ordain women, etc. The PCUSA is very liberal. Dunno if that extends to their doctrine as I have limited knowledge of them.