Hi Tom,

These folks of whom you are speaking to may very well be refering to the Netherlands Reformed COngregations (they exist in Netherlands, US & Canada).

I have married into this congregation and have become a professing member. I believe William is also a professing member.

I've had may serious discussions with Pilgrim regarding our beliefs.

After some doubts I have come to fully embrace my denomination. Much of the teachings are very intellectual,

* essence of faith vs exercise of faith

* experiential/experimental preaching & faith vs. a mere intellectual or temporary faith

* the importance of true repentance that comes about with regeneration in which the holy spirit makes us humble sinners before God and sin becomes our burden - we experience misery on account of our spiritual eyes being opened and we flea to Jesus for mediation. Without actualy experiencing our misery/total depravity we are missing the most important life giving aspect of the (TRUE) New Birth. Many of your friends who may be hostile to this may very well never have experienced their misery on account of sin and become true sinners before God, (i.e. those whom are drowning in their sins and need Jesus to rescue them).

* the need to refrain from world conformity which ventures into Christian Liberty territory (it is my belief that we use the idea of Christian Liberty to embrace vein pursuits that at best distract us from spiritual matters both before and after true conversion and at worst is God dishonoring, i.e. sports teams become idols, becoming addicted to reality shows, etc. - cannot serve the world/man and GOd but will be conformed into the image of Christ and increase in Holiness).

* I would say the NRC does have a narrow view of salvation or at least full assurance of salvation but they are not hyper-calvinistic.

If you have any further questions let me know!

AC

Last edited by AC.; Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:21 PM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine