Quote:
Originally Posted by shackleton  I expect to ridiculed by non-believers, but not by my own Christian brethren. I am finding that when I mention that I take the Bible literally, believe in six days of creation, and now the worst of all... Calvinism, (OOOH NOOO!), that I am having to defend myself from what are supposed to be my brothers in Christ...what gives? |
I've had the same experiences. I live at a secular university's campus fellowship house during the Fall and Winter, and the only worldview or belief they show distinct hatred toward is Calvinism. Talk about Roman Catholicism, liberalism, fundamentalism, or even non-Christian worldviews, and even if by the rare chance they show disagreement, they still have a measure of respect, tolerance, or acceptance of them. But when it comes to Calvinism, especially predestination, they explode in disagreement, anger, even downright hatred. It has taught me the need to be a witness even to other Christians, the dire need to edify them and be edified. I suppose the main thing to remember is to not respond in an emotional outburst, but with patience and respect in an attempt to teach them or at least defend the faith. It is also good to remind myself that I was once (and probably often still am) in their position, with hatred toward any view that directly opposed my own man-centered worldview.