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-----A summary of the five points yields TULIP, whiich makes no explicit mention of the resurrection.
When I engage people i do not engage them in a "simple" or "mystical" way, though I do prioritize the core of the gospel message at first and save deeper issues for later. No faithful evangelist merely "spouts" I Cor 15 and leaves it at that, but I Cor 15 is a good place to start. I have already provided BB Warfield's link containing his definition of the Gospel as a smaller sub-heading of the larger category of "Reformed Theology" in general, so I am with many of the reformed in defining the gospel in a narrow sense as a summary of the core of the biblical message that is more narrower than the entire 'biblical package" and even more narrow and more basic than the five points of TULIP.
Ronda,
There is nothing negative to say about the five points. If you say that it sometimes might be wise to condense or simplify the gospel down to its most basic form and if this form is not 100% synonymous with tulip, then, well..you have just granted my point.
There are times for more explicit and fuller explanation but sometimes, initially, one needs to give a concise and basic summary of the gospel, and this summary will be more basic and different than the five points. Thus, the gospel is not calvinism, though calvinism is biblical.
Totally agree with this and believe this is the core of what should be discussed alongside "is Calvinism the Gospel". The Gospel must be understood by totally illiterate fishermen, coal heavers, farmers, peasants and all kinds of sinner to be the true Gospel. I admit the Gospel is not contained in Calvin's commentaries, nor his massive theological expositions associated with the 5 points, nor do you need to understand the 5 points to be saved. You cannot be saved by a false Christ that denies Limited Atonement, nor can you be saved by a Gospel that says you are not totally depraved and unable to do anything to save yourself. A Gospel preached from the Gospel, i.e. the Bible will save sinners until the end of time, and I have to agree, a Gospel preached from Calvin, will not.The Gospel is more basic than the five points.
Ronda,
There is nothing negative to say about the five points. If you say that it sometimes might be wise to condense or simplify the gospel down to its most basic form and if this form is not 100% synonymous with tulip, then, well..you have just granted my point.
I didn't say it was wise to condense the gospel; I simply contrasted your attempt to do so, while seeming to discredit Calvinistic preaching.
There are times for more explicit and fuller explanation but sometimes, initially, one needs to give a concise and basic summary of the gospel, and this summary will be more basic and different than the five points. Thus, the gospel is not calvinism, though calvinism is biblical.
Calvinists preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures and in accordance with the WCF.
To deny this is so, is to deny the Reformed faith.
Have you by any chance made the acquaintance of Keith and Anita Miles in Papua from New Tribes Mission?