Even if I still rejected all forms of Calvinism I would still be a Reformed Protestant.

This article is in reference to a previous article about being a non-denominational Non-Calvinist Reformed Protestant.

In my previous article I mentioned I had to reject Calvinism, but, embrace still being a Protestant whom was Reformed.

I reject all forms of Calvinism that rejects free will. This would be 5 point Calvinism and forms of theistic determinism. I am in fact a 4-point (middle knowledge) Calvinist.

1- Total Depravity: There is not one aspect of my existence which is not infected by sin. However, the image of God I have been created in has not been ERASED, but rather, EFFACED. Think of a little drop of black ink being dropped into a tall glass of pure water. Every single particle of the water is now “infected” by the droplet of ink; however, it is still a glass of water. In fact, it is still drinkable (although your teeth will turn black). The water needs to be cleansed and purified.

2- Unconditional Election: I affirm predestination and election, but logically, this is not the same thing as causal determinism. God elects to create a world in which he knew with omniscient certainty, exactly how all things will happen. All things means all things, from all movements of subatomic particles to all actions of free creatures. God does not move my limbs or force my thoughts or choices (that is causal determinism); I am genuinely free to make my own choices, and logically speaking, I could have chosen otherwise. God simply elects a world in which he omnisciently and perfectly knows how we will freely choose. Thereby, he elects, guarantees, and predestines EVERYTHING, including our free choices that are not causally determined. We are logically free to choose otherwise as there are no causal strings attached (knowledge does not stand in causal relation). Now, to be candid, perhaps this is not “unconditional” in one sense, as it seems that our election is conditioned upon God’s middle knowledge of how we would freely choose in these circumstances. Perhaps instead of unconditional, we can call it, “Ultimate Election!”

3- Limited Atonement: God created a world in which he knew all people would not freely choose the marriage proposal offered by God. Therefore, God actualized and elected a world in which he knew the atonement was logically sufficient for all mankind; however, he also specifically knew what individual humans would freely choose to reject it (although they did not have to). It follows that God created a world in which he knew that the atonement would only be freely experienced by a limited number of humanity.

4- Perseverance of the Saints: God created a world in which he knew what persons would freely choose to love God for eternity. This is easy if God is truly omniscient! Therefore, God actualized a world in which he knows what persons will choose to love God and persevere into the infinite future. True love never fails (1 Cor 13:4-8).

However, even if I fully rejected Calvinism I would still fully embrace falling into a Non-denominational Reformed Protestantism. This is because Calvinism is not the only view that falls into the Reformation view. John Calvin was only one member of the broader Reformation theology. Protestantism in general is a theology of the Reformation as opposed to the hierarchy and indulgences found within Roman catholic churches.

There are also 4 Solas that determines someone to be Reformed;

– The authority of Scripture: sola scriptura (Scripture alone)

– The basis of salvation: Sola Gratia (Grace alone)

– The means of salvation: Sola Fide (Faith alone)

– The merit of salvation: Solus Christus (Christ alone)

I fully agree wholeheartedly with each of the above solas.

There is also a list of other beliefs that Reformers agree to available offered by Professor Byron Curtis

1- Classic theism: One omnipotent, benevolent God, distinct from creation.

2- Nicene and Chalcedonian Trinitarianism: one God in three eternally existent persons, equal in power and glory.

3- Christ, the God-Man, the one mediator between God & the human race, incarnate, crucified, resurrected, ascended, & coming again.

4- Humanity created in the image of God, yet tragically fallen & profoundly in need of restoration to God through Christ.

5- The Visible Church: the community of the redeemed, indwelt by the Holy Spirit; the mystical body of Christ on earth.

6- The one, holy, catholic (as another name for universal), and apostolic church.

7- The Sacraments: visible signs and seals of the grace of God, ministering Christ’s love to us in our deep need.

8- The Christian life: characterized by the prime theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.

I agree with everything above as well which means even if I was not Calvinist I am fully adequately considered a Reformed Protestant.

I am also non-denominational because I do not officially belong to nor follow any one particular denomination. I listen to sermons and music from all of the different denominations of the Christian Church Universal.

My view of what makes Christianity what it is would be; Unity in essentials, liberty in the non-essential, and in all things charity.

5-point Calvinism, I need to say is not in anyway a reason to not consider its proponents our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I just would hope determinsm or compatibility proponents would hold us Non-determimists as equally part of the Body of Christ.