Theology 104 Reflection Paper
J Lynch
Liberty University

For my two topics I chose Pentecostalism and Calvinism. While most would write a paper to demolish the foundation on one of these two topics, I will share my life experience with both while providing an equal foundation for each. Please note that I do believe there is only one correct understanding of God’s Word and character; however the Bible shows evidence that God will use all for his purpose in understanding both faith and Christ’s saving grace. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Pentecostals mostly lean toward the Arminian perspective, which I believe is consistent with the Pentecostal character. I will list their five points and some supporting verses. Human Free Will, Power over their own will (1 Corinthians 7:37); Conditional Election, Election is according to God’s foreknowing (1 Peter 1:1-2); Universal Atonement, Any is welcome to come to Christ (Matthew 11:28-30); Resistible Grace, Not all who hear will believe (Romans10:16); and Fall from Grace, Romans 11:17-24.

My childhood was anything but wholesome and I knew great terror until the day God delivered me into a better life. I was born and raised a Romanichal “gypsy,” until I was later adopted at age 15. In that culture if you are successful, eventually you will end up as a preacher. Looking back I can see the logic behind the evolution, in that Romanichal followers wanted to share success and learn how to be successful. Their idea that God would make me feel great every time I would go see him was quite appealing. Listening to people speak in tongues and proclaim great visions seemed like the world I needed to seek after. Romanichal’s had a little twist to faith that allowed them to break the law and remain blessed by God. Obviously I wasn’t exposed to the best knowledge of God at that age. But what I did know is that God made me feel better which was the only thing that got me by. You see even while living in terror I knew I could get a feeling about God that got me through. Ultimately God delivered me from my childhood born perspective, which at best was a very weak faith. But God used that weak twisted faith to bring me closer to him.

Calvinism also known as the Reformed faith is named after John Calvin (1509-1564). His life and work brought order to the Reformed movement. Later in response to opposition by Arminian theologians, the supporters of Calvinism met at the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) to explain their beliefs. Their five points have been summed up under the acronym TULIP, which has become the foundation of the Reformed faith. I will list each point with a supporting bible verse, Total Depravity, Man’s heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23); Unconditional Election, as some are elected into salvation, others are not (Rom. 9:15, 21); Limited Atonement, Jesus in prayer interceded for the ones given Him, not those of the entire world (John 7:19); Irresistible Grace, where God appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48); and Perseverance of the Saints, where God promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

Being raised in the culture and faith I had been my world was geared toward pride. Even when I felt that I had done everything I should to be in God’s graces, the guilt of sin still bared down on me every time I went to church. I would search for that “emotional holy high” and would crash shortly after. I felt the hunger for more and even visited other churches but failed.

God revealed the Reformed perspective to me at a low point in my life. Actually right after I hit rock bottom and was in mid bounce. You see I lost a lucrative business because of sin and pride. With my current faith, my hole was only getting deeper and light was fading in the distance. When the TULIP was first presented to me I was totally against it, but it stayed on my heart. I studied God’s Word to see the depth behind the simple flower acronym. Like five arrows each letter pointed to the grace, power, love, and control that God has in my life. Ultimately I realized that I inherited sin from the fall, that fact gave me power over my faithless guilt. It gave faith and understanding to what Jesus died for. I found purpose beyond my selfish endeavors because I finally understood that even with my mistakes God chose me. As a child I felt God called me to turn atheist against their logic and into Christians (which shows the kind of faith I had knowledge of). I now see The Holy Spirit draws the elect closer to God and my role as a servant can be used for that purpose. Finally because God makes no mistakes and is in control I will not lose my salvation because I sin, my salvation was paid for in full.

In the 5th chapter of Core Christianity, Elmer Towns speaks of One Door—Two Sides. In most of his book but especially in this section E. Towns, highlights my now Reformed Perspective God has revealed to me. Towns also highlights the three steps to the conversion that I now realized I undertook. From this study I understand more about my journey with Christ. Pentecostalism prepared me to later receive the message from Calvinism and the things I have learned from this course continue to expand my knowledge and help me to continue to grow as Christian.

Bibliography
Towns, E. (2007). Core Christianity . Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.