Please note that I am trying to discuss how we should treat Christians, not the unconverted. Please read my first post once again, which speaks of new converts, etc.
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I didn't say Dort was splitting hairs, those are your words. I was suggesting that the Apostle's Creed was a starting point unless one wanted to split hairs.
In your estimation if one wants to “split hairs” he would go beyond the creeds and discuss Dort. Accordingly, for you Dort is splitting hairs.
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Furthermore, I've indicated that I'm not suggesting making any compromise to Calvinism so why would you interpret that I'm suggesting leaving the meaning of the atonement open for anyone's interpretation?
First, I appreciate that you embrace Reformed soteriology. However, it would seem to me that if you are willing to leave it at “Jesus died and rose again”, then you’d be in agreement with any Roman Catholic, hence the creeds are not adequate to define the gospel.
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I'm addressing a starting point, not a graduation point.
I’m fully aware of what you are saying. I just disagree that the five points should be a graduation point. Don’t get me wrong, they are often treated as such but I think this is an enormous error, hence my lament. Why is the plight of man’s depravity and the grace of God’s salvation a graduation point?
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Which when I read Peter's reply in Acts 16:30.31 to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" his reply was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household." Would you accept a simple confession of faith like this one? His reply was simple, yet profound. Certainly further instruction and training will follow.
Woe, woe, woe. First off, I would not accept a profession of faith without inquiring into the two natures of Christ etc. Mormons and JW’s believe what is quoted above. More importantly, however, is that we were discussing whether the five points should be considered basic teaching for the converted believer, not the unconverted hopeful who we would like to see converted. NO, I would not advise that we explicate the five points of Calvinism to the unconverted, but that was never in question.
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Let me ask you a practical question. If you were in Japan sharing your faith with a Buddhist, or in the Middle East talking with a Muslim where would you start explaining the Christian faith?
I would state God’s person and holiness along with man’s condition and God’s remedy in Christ. “Whosoever” would be stated and electing grace would not be mentioned. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />
I'll ask you again, How long do you think we should we wait until we tell a new convert that he's totally depraved?
