Why Jeff Durbin Became A Calvinist  

I just don’t like the nickname Calvinist at all. Don’t get me wrong I stand with Reformed theology, but I just call myself a Christian because we have Jesus Christ name , not calvins .

That's how I became a Calvinist be reading my Bible during COVID

Really because if you listen to John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham, Steve Lawson all of them tell about their change, they were shown in the Bible and it opened their eyes! It had nothing to do with a book, it was what they read in the Bible!

I am not a Calvanist because it isn't taught in the Bible.

I know people who are calvanists. They definitely talk more about being calvanist than they do about being a Christian.

Just follow Jesus. No need to label it anything.

When I was in Bible school, I was always told bad things and portrayed to me ugly caricatures of the Reformed Theology particularly Calvinism. They would put forth every argument bad and not-so bad type of arguments, and the misrepresentation is just wild. I've had to do the one thing to really see what's in the scripture, to study the scriptures. I was not introduced properly into the reformed theology, but it was the scriptures that made me Reformed, thankfully it's all of the divine Providence that calls the shot and not of my own 'will-ing'

I never read anything from Calvin or any other. I was in an Armenian Church and reading the Bible i had questions about what scripture said vs what was being taught or more importantly what was not being taught or discussed. I kept my mouth shut until another doctrinal issue popped up and the lack of conviction it was dealt with left me questioning why people who say we believe scripture would be shy when they say something is an error is being taught but they value unity over Truth. That lead me to unpack what I believed and ask why I believe it and rethink things. I ran into people like Voddie Baucham, Paul Washer, rc Sproul and others who taught with conviction could articulate their beliefs and defend it from scripture and they were making statements of things I already was convinced of from Scripture but people didn't talk about. I still have not read Calvin and I don't call myself a Calvinist. I believe in a Big Glorious Holy God who answers to no one and does as He pleases and sees fit. He shows mercy on whom He will and compassion on whom He will. He is the Potter I am the clay. I am His property and He may do with me as He pleases without explanation or justification. Just ask Job.

Calvinism doesnt give us a choice, and implies God created certain people only for damnation. Without choice we cannot truly love Jesus.

I'm not a Calvinist, because that is a system that then tries to figure out every little detail about how God works out our salvation and gets in to some weird nitty gritty points, as if trying to box God in. I do believe in predestination, because so many verses talk about that, I believe in election, because that theme is throughout both the old and new testament, I believe we are all sinful, and that no one would choose righteousness, because the Bible says so, so we must be born again, because the Bible says so.

I don't know how anyone can become a calvinist by reading the Bible. To many of their points contradict the Bible.

There’s a lot better videos of Durbin explaining the inner conflict he had between what he grew up believing under modern American evangelicalism and what he was READING IN THE BIBLE. He points to specific verses he wrestled with in his readings for years that led him to submit to Calvinist doctrines.

Brother Durbin is right. I was a calvinist before I even knew what calvinism was. I was a arminian when I was a false convert. When the Lord saved me He started to show me His preeminence above all things through His Word (especially in regards to how He saved me) and though I didn't understand it at the time, I began believing it more and more as time went by all thanks to the Holy Spirit. Later on I heard about calvinism.

It's the ever provisional headache Leighton The Tulip 🌷 Hatin Flower

If you believe that Jesus was the messiah (God-man) and being born again and being transformed into the Christ man (new man new nature) through the process of sanctification via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Your alright with me.

I came to all the same conclusions that Calvinists came to before I knew what a Calvinist was 😂😂😂😂😂

You became a Calvinist because you were reading the Bible while listening to guys like Paul Washer, John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham, John Piper, and probably reading from their study bibles.

I've got 35 different churches within a 5 mile radius of my house.

Calvinists appear to largely rely on proof texts to enforce their conclusions, it gets awkward really quick when you ask one to explain Hebrews 6:4-6 (challenging the P in tulip). You may get your doctrine from the Bible, but if certain scriptures appear to contradict what you believe about other scriptures, the problem is you.

They give Calvin too much credit. The Bible teaches predestination and election. Just read it. No need to read anything by Calvin.

In Ez 36: 22-32, God gives us the exact prescription for Salvation: first, He gives us a new heart; second, he puts His Holy Spirit in us; third, He will cause us to walk in His statutes and desire obedience; fourth, He will deliver us from our uncleanliness; and finally, we will remember our evil ways and loathe our past inequities and abominations (i.e., repent). It is Ez 36 (among others) that is being referenced in John 6:45.

A Calvanist who knows nothing about Calvin. The quality of the teaching matches

Because if he repented of being a Calvinist, he'd have to make a career move.

So unbiblical to call yourself after field of man!! Repent! Paul denounced the church at Corinth, and said some say they are of Apollos, Cephas, Paul. He denounced this man centered ideology!!!it is godless.

Once saved, always saved,, it's a heresy.

I don't understand the predetermined angle. Or maybe considered "Limited Atonement". I pray for understanding and Clarity, as well as, "Unconditional Election".

Amen

Weird, that's how I became a Calvinist.

I took my family out of a Pentecostal church into a Reformed one because the gospel i heard being preached didn't try sidestep the wrath of God, and suddenly the scriptures opened up to me.

I'm no longer a Christian just by reading the Bible

I’m not a Calvinist because God gave me free will to choose and showed many examples of free will in scripture. You can’t put God in a box with a tidy little label, He’s God. He doesn’t have to conform to Calvinist teachings. Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

I was born again a Calvinist

What’s the 5 points of calvanists? I don’t understand how it differs

Jhon 6 what? How is feeding the 5000 proof of calvanisium

If you hear Jeff's testimony elsewhere though he will admit that Dr White had a huge influence on his theology when he was new to the faith. No need to read Calvin of you read and listen to one of Calvin's biggest modern voices.

I remember coming to saving faith in 2020 and believing all the “points” of Calvin. And I only started calling myself a calvinist when a friend of mine asked me what I believed about the atonement and he goes “You’re officially a calvinist!” I was a calvinist before I even knew what a calvinist was. 🤷🏻‍♂️

HERESY

The Bible is a Catholic book. This is a paradox that many people don't even realize exists. How can you reject the authority of the church that compiled the Bible, but still believe the Bible to be the word of God? The answer is simple: the Bible is not just a book. It is a collection of books, written by different authors over a period of centuries. The Catholic Church compiled the Bible in the fourth century, but many of the books in the Bible were written long before that. The early Christians were a diverse group of people, with a variety of beliefs. The Catholic Church emerged from this diversity, and it is through the Catholic Church that the Bible has been preserved and transmitted for centuries. So, if you believe in the Bible, then you should be grateful to the Catholic Church. Without the Catholic Church, the Bible would not exist as we know it today.

Is Flowers finally understanding

Im a calvinist, but it had nothing to do with Calvin?

The main issue with calvinism is if God makes you a born again believer and you have no choice in the matter then there is no reasonable explanation for why all are not saved (or at least the vast majority).

I'm now feeling ashamed my name is Calvin

I like one and a half point Calvinism. Point 5 is good enough for me and I waver on 4 but the rest are stupid and unnecessary for anything, oh and that believing you're a robotic vessel of God with no free will part and that everything is predetermined. Other than most of it, Calvinism is great.

As opposed to humbling myself, admitting my sinfulness, and helplessness, and calling on God to save me from the things I cannot save myself from in light of the gospel message, the Calvinist insists I cannot even do that much. That admitting my need, and asking for help is somehow an effectual work, and somehow earns or merits my salvation. The bible consistently calls us to humble ourselves and confess our sins SO AS TO BE saved, and that god gives grace to the humble and opposes the proud, (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:11; 2 Kings 2:19, Isaiah 66:2). Yes I am a sinner, and yes I need the work of the Holy Spirit in order to be saved, and yes God always makes the first move in salvation. but I must chose to respond to His call. We are the ones ultimately responsible with what we do with the words of Christ (John 12:44-50). God does not hold us responsible for things we were born unable to do, he gives us a choice. (Deuteronomy 30) Without free will, love cannot truly exist.

Do a Bible word search on the word "choose." You will find a plethera of verses that call for people to choose this or that. Calvinism says there is no choosing, rather God determines. But Joshua says, "Choose you this day whom you will serve..." God says, "I have put before you life and death, Choose life." The Bible says God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." And yet Jesus says, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction and many are on it. And straight and narrow is the road that leads to life and FEW ever find it." These two verses PLAINLY say God wants ALL to come to repentance and be saved, BUT most wind up in hell. So, clearly, in this instance, God's will is NOT being done. In Jeremiah 19:5 it says, "The people built the high places to sacrifice their children to idols, something I DID NOT COMMAND, nor did I speak it neither did it enter my mind." These verses prove beyond.a doubt that God's will is not being done in all situations and NOT everything that happens, happens because God causes it to happen.

‭‭ "...One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25b

The word Jeff is looking for is “Christian.” The reformers were not the first Christians in history to debate theology and oppose heretics. The whole quote is so anachronistic it’s bananas.

I became a Calvinist because of what I studied in holy scripture

I am a follower of Jesus Christ not any religion.

I really love your heart and your work, even though I reject Calvinism. You are very anointed and impactful in the Kingdom. God bless you.

I became a Calvinist by reading and studying the Word. All the preachers I listened to at the time were not and luckily God sovereignly pulled me away from those wolves in sheep’s clothing and lead me to truth.

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

I thought he was Jews. Never heard Calvin in the Bible.

Years ago I prayed that I would be shown the truth about election from Scripture, and shortly after that I read John 6:44. Leighton Flowers denying what that verse means is like atheists denying that Romans 1:18-20 applies to them.

Amen 🙏

You follow calvin & I will follow Christ & be à Christian. Amen.

Look at pastor Andrew Farley and truly learn the scriptures.

Predestination is a big load of poop

Spot on. Preach it Jeff!

I don't see it! In order to be a Calvininists one has to believe that you have no free will and you have no real choice to choose salvation or not because it was decided for you already. That's the basics in a nut shell

A M E N

It’s amazing because John Calvin was not at five point Calvinist. He believed, taught, and wrote that salvation was available to every man. Maybe this guy Durban should read some of Calvins stuff.

Avoid stress, just follow Jesus or not, nobody truly cares anyhow.

Jesus was Jewish, Paul was Jewish...They followed Jewish laws, they kept Jewish feasts.. To say they were Calvinists is a pretty silly statement. Yet here you are telling me Jesus and Paul were followers of John Calvin....

That's how I became a calvinist too

Why are preachers sowing much confusion?

Exactly! Anen ❤

Doesnt make any sense, he says I dont read calvin because thats not why im a calvinist. You can be a calvinist for a different reason and still read calvin. Just goes to show that he is speaking fluff

Yes im a calvanist, I love swigging beer and smoking cigars.Jesus was a calvanist right? Paul too right? (They werent) they werent catholics either. They were Jews XD

so he reads calvinism into the text because people other than Calvin told him about it. Most people are simply followers like this, never actually thinking for themselves. If all you ever read was the Bible, “Calvinism” wouldn’t even be in your vocabulary. This guy is sooo intellectually dishonest!

Jesus and Paul were Calvinists? You’re kidding right?😂

Im not an ist.

That's how I became A Calvinist

Calvinism goes against the free will that God gave us. It is unbiblical. Calvinism gains popularity every 50 years then dies off for a while again after they realise their error. God bless.

I’m not a Calvinist because it’s traditions of men

Calvinism is biblical full stop.

Was Hobbs a Calvinist?

Read the bible. For yourselves. Maybe you too will be granted repentance. The new king james is highly recommended !

Jesus was not a Calvinist. If he was he would have said it. Calvinism is a MAN MADE THEOLOGY. We can use anything in scripture to justify beliefs. Doesn’t make it right nor does it mean that what it says. Just follow Christ, not man.

I guess you'll find out one day !!!!

can we just say we follow Jesus?

Just read ephesians 1 and 2... and unless you are great at twisting scripture, you'll at least be a partial clavinist.

Jesus was a Calvinist. Doing blasphemy... But he didn't read Calvin. Did record himself to embarrass himself like he did to others?

“Jesus and Paul were Calvinists!”😂😂😂 Why is it everyone that declares that they’re a Calvinist always have no experience of the Holy Spirit and refute anyone that does? 🤷🏼

I 100% became a Calvinist by reading the Bible. Leighton Flowers is a heretic.

So smug like all brainwashed calvinists. I dare you to go to Data over Dogma,or read a David Madison book.Lights will go on

Is this comedy 😅

What a lying blasphemous statement to call Jesus Christ the Righteous a calvinist. John Calvin wad a murderous false teacher.

Faith is what ? Calvinist answer because I see that as the failure point of Calvinist...

Boy you are so wrong

Calvanism isnt biblical

If you claim that reading the Bible made you a calvinist then you read it wrong.

When a preacher whos church i was going to proclaimed himself to be a calvinist i left...absolutely zero regrets. Dodged a bullet really....

I am NOT a Calvinist because I read the Bible. It contradicts the Bible.

Wait till he finds out the Bible is a Catholic book

Hahahahahahahah foolish rant

Calvinism in truth would be presbityrianism. TULIP came from the Canon of Dort which was based of Calvins teachings and was a refutation to Jacob Arminius but not actually written by Calvin. Though it was written in the early 1600's so still is a very old text. Predestination is found throughout scripture in both NT and OT, if you read confessions by Augistine, he constantly alludes to Christ calling Him throughout His life though he is unaware of it. Whether this could be defined as predestination is questionable but it definately is an interesting point for conversation. There is also the Pelegian heresy that was denounced by Augistine which should be looked into. Point is this conversation is bigger than Calvin and interestingly smaller than Calvin as it was not his only teaching. As for Durbins comments, that was all worded in the most terrible fashion and as a pastor he has the responsibility of reading Calvin due to Calvin being one of the most significant reformers and possibly the best theologian of the reformers.

Naw I’m a disciple not a Christian there’s no said titles with YA the most high! Calvinist they claim to be even Christian but yet they don’t know his name

you are so not in the know Jesus came before the Calvinist movement it in essence is the other way around and that really doesn't work now does it stop talking for the sake of worldly doubt

Calvinism is NOT in the Bible. And god is a myth. Move on.