Thread: Greetings

Hello! I am Jake. I am a teenager that has grown up in Georgia, and (big surprise) attended a Southern Baptist church. Most people including the Pastor are more Armenian. I never really questioned what I was taught at church. My mom is a minister at our church as well.

However, back in October 2008 I started reading the Bible on my own more frequently. I started to notice verses that didn't match what I had been taught. My first surprise was Proverbs 16:4. Later I came across Ephesians 1, Romans 8 and 9, and other texts. I did some searching online and found out that these verses were used by Calvinists. The verses in my Bible didn't help me (or so I thought) because I had gotten a MacArthur Study Bible that looked nice and was on sale while at Lifeway.

A friend I had met online that was very knowledgeable (comparative to me) in theology turned out to be Calvinist as well, so I began to talk to him. He explained the five points very well and suggested some books I could read. I got some Spurgeon, White, and Piper out of my church library. Soon thereafter I got The Institutes themselves. Pretty soon, I was sure that these men were teaching in accordance to the Bible. I can't even remember how I was able to make Romans 8-9 "work" with what I once believed.

I've been reading these forums for about a month already and finally decided to become a part. The one thing I wasn't sure about were confessions. I have read the London Baptist Confession of 1689 and agree with it, although I am not sure about everything. Consider me a learner for now. I'm still not convinced about some things.

Also, I am looking for book recommendations! Here is what I am reading or have read from Reformed Authors so far (some of these came off of my mom's bookshelf and had a bookmark right near the front... right next to Olsteen and others!):

City of God by St. Augustine
Debating Calvinism by James White and Dave Hunt
Desiring God by John Piper
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper
Spectacular Sins by John Piper
The End for Which God Created the World by Jonathan Edwards
The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin
The Unexpected Jesus by R. C. Sproul
What is Reformed Theology by R. C. Sproul

And I have sermon collections from Spurgeon and Edwards.

Anyway, nice to meet you guys!

Hello Jake and Welcome.

Welcome to the crew!!

Theognome

Welcome Jake

Hi Jake! I'm also still fairly new to Reformed Theology. Reading the authors you've already listed helped me a lot, too. Another book that I found very helpful was 'Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism" by Joel R. Beeke
Amazon.com: Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism: Joel R. Beeke: Books

Originally Posted by CredoFidoSpero

Hi Jake! I'm also still fairly new to Reformed Theology. Reading the authors you've already listed helped me a lot, too. Another book that I found very helpful was 'Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism" by Joel R. Beeke
Amazon.com: Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism: Joel R. Beeke: Books

Hey, thanks. I had seen the book before but not the author. I may get that.

Hi! Your testimony of God's goodness is convicting! I should be reading more, especially as so many good books are on my shelves!

Welcome to the board.

Welcome, Jake.

Regarding you reading, you already have a gem in front of you that is hard to beat: Calvin's Institutes. I realize 1,000 pages is long, but if you slowly and thoughtfully work your way through it, especially at this very formative stage for you, it will be a great blessing for the rest of your life; and will especially teach you that Reformed theology is about a whole lot more than some "5 Points."

We're glad to have you here, and hope that your time will be edifying!

Originally Posted by Prufrock

Welcome, Jake.

Regarding you reading, you already have a gem in front of you that is hard to beat: Calvin's Institutes. I realize 1,000 pages is long, but if you slowly and thoughtfully work your way through it, especially at this very formative stage for you, it will be a great blessing for the rest of your life; and will especially teach you that Reformed theology is about a whole lot more than some \"5 Points.\"

We're glad to have you here, and hope that your time will be edifying!

I got an adbridged version. I have gotten about half way through it thus far. Should I get the full work? And if so, which translation? I got what I could find at a book store.

t My Copy of the Institutes

I would have to let someone who has read that abridgment speak to that, as I have not done so and don't know what it contains/leaves out. At the very least, it will surely be a good thing to read! You picked a great book with which to start yourself off.

Greetings and Salutations.

Welcome Jake!

Thanks for all the welcomes guys who I haven't responded to!

I recommend the following book because it is an easy read as well as packed with so much reformed theology:
Amazon.com: The Holiness of God: R. C. Sproul: Books

Howdy, Jake.

Hello Jake and welcome to the PB!

Welcome Jake! For a teenager you are blessed to have such an introduction to the doctrines of grace on your own research! Impressive, but then that is His sovereignty at work!
I suggest The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink and/or Chosen by God, R.C. Sproul. Both will change your views and heart and give you and truly high and holy view of God and His attributes! Also, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by L. Boettner is great!
Many blessings!

I started to notice verses that didn't match what I had been taught.

Happened to a lot of us, Jake. Welcome to the PB!

Hi, Jake!
I grew up in Gwinnett, so we have something in common. I know a few good churches in the area, depending on what part of Atlanta you're in, if you ever want to visit around.

Welcome!

Welcome to the PB family.

Welcome!

Welcome to the board Jake, thank you so much for sharing your testimony. Blessings.

Originally Posted by Scottish Lass

Hi, Jake!
I grew up in Gwinnett, so we have something in common. I know a few good churches in the area, depending on what part of Atlanta you're in, if you ever want to visit around.

I'm South of Atlanta. The fellow I mentioned talking to online turned out to be from my county. He is planning to do a church plant nearby once he gets out of seminary (reformed baptist of some sort). However, there is an EPC (any thoughts on this denomination in general?) and a PCA church nearby as well, but I don't think my parents would respond well to me going to another church at this point.

However, I am concerned for my church more than just doctrinally, so I would like to find a new church... but that's for another time.

Welcome. It was encouraging to read your introduction, thank you!

to the PB

Originally Posted by Jake

However, there is an EPC (any thoughts on this denomination in general?) and a PCA church nearby as well, but I don't think my parents would respond well to me going to another church at this point.

Jake: I spent 16 years in the EPC (now OPC). You may find Reformed folk there; but more often than not they are more "evangelical" than Presbyterian or Reformed. They may also be in transition as more former PCUSA congregations join them. Your nearest congregation may be one of these recently transferred congregations. They're often sincere and loving people; but too swayed by evangelical trends. Check out the PCA congregation. If your parents want you to continue in their congregation for now, perhaps consider attending another congregation for the evening or a mid-week service.

Read Calvin unabridged. The Beveridge translation is solid theologically, but the English may not be as contemporary. I appreciate the Battle's translation with the footnotes. Having it is two volumes also makes it easy to carry half at a time. Get a hardback version. You'll want to mark and keep it as a reference for the rest of your life.

Welcome to the PB!

Originally Posted by Glenn Ferrell

Originally Posted by Jake

However, there is an EPC (any thoughts on this denomination in general?) and a PCA church nearby as well, but I don't think my parents would respond well to me going to another church at this point.

Jake: I spent 16 years in the EPC (now OPC). You may find Reformed folk there; but more often than not they are more "evangelical" than Presbyterian or Reformed. They may also be in transition as more former PCUSA congregations join them. Your nearest congregation may be one of these recently transferred congregations. They're often sincere and loving people; but too swayed by evangelical trends.

Okay, I looked at their history page and this appears to be the case. I missed that before. They left PC(USA) in November 2007.

Check out the PCA congregation. If your parents want you to continue in their congregation for now, perhaps consider attending another congregation for the evening or a mid-week service.

I may be able to go Sunday evenings.. I would like to go. Since my mom is a minister, we go to my church whenever the doors are open, so it's not too practical for me to go elsewhere.

Read Calvin unabridged. The Beveridge translation is solid theologically, but the English may not be as contemporary. I appreciate the Battle's translation with the footnotes. Having it is two volumes also makes it easy to carry half at a time. Get a hardback version. You'll want to mark and keep it as a reference for the rest of your life.

I don't have a problem with older English myself. I can read older works pretty well... I've always been a bit of a bibliophile though. But thanks for the suggestion. I may get that soon, but I want to at least finish my abridged copy I have now.

welcome bro!!!

ill recomend a couple of books
yo check out the bondage of the will by martin luther
and freedom of the will by johnathan eddwards.
now thats a good question rc sproul
chosen by God rc sproul

Originally Posted by kd116

welcome bro!!!

ill recomend a couple of books
yo check out the bondage of the will by martin luther
and freedom of the will by johnathan eddwards.
now thats a good question rc sproul
chosen by God rc sproul

Hey, I actually have 3 of those books on my list of books that I am planning to get! I haven't looked at Now That's a Good Question though. I'll take a look.

Greetings and welcome to the PB!