• I do follow divinely inspired Scripture.
• A good friend stated (paraphrased) that he and another friend need to 'follow' teachers, whereas I can do my own research and writing. I agree, based on my background, as God has guided me by grace through faith.
• However, I am, and will always be more of a student than a teacher, so I rely heavily on Scripture, sources (teachers), fellowship within the Church, and prayer.
• As I do not 'follow' teachers, I do not embrace the term 'Calvinist' for myself. I did find John Calvin incredibly useful and enlightened with his writings in regard to free will and determinism. I learned much and found ideas I had from my earliest studies enhanced and confirmed by an expert. As I have noted twice recently, in conversations, Martin Luther was Reformed and not a Calvinist. I am Reformed and not a Calvinist, although I do hold to TULIP. But, I favour believer's baptism over infant baptism theologically. I am also not a Lutheran.
• I view the Scripture as the final authority in religious matters. I hold to Sola Scriptura as the Scripture is the supreme authority in religious and spiritual matters. The Pocket Dictionary of Theological terms writes that Sola Scriptura is from the Latin, 'Scripture only' (108). This dogma is in the context of Scripture against the theology of Scripture and tradition. (108). This was clearly a Reformed, Protestant doctrine opposed to the Roman Catholic use of tradition. Scripture is the final authority within the Church. It does not oppose all tradition, but tradition elevated to anywhere close to the authority of Scripture.
• However, quite apparent from my academic reading and research, the use of philosophy can be found with the Apostle Paul (Acts) and within the writings of Church Fathers such as Augustine. Philosophy was sought as a source of intellectual truth. This was an aspect of Reformed tradition as well as Roman Catholic and Orthodox. I, by God's guidance via prayer, use philosophy of religion and philosophy as a source of God's truth while acknowledging Sola Scriptura in the sense it was originally intended.
• I am not a 'bible only' Christian. I use other academic disciplines along with Biblical Studies where warranted.
• All truth is God's truth, but only divine revelation provides salvific theology. Philosophy of Religion (theistic as opposed to non-theistic) as an academic discipline can provide at times useful truth about God and humanity, from outside Scripture. God is reasoned as the first cause, primary cause, and what is necessary and of necessity in every possible world, as examples, but I fully acknowledge that only God as revealed in Jesus Christ, God the Son, provides salvation.
• But make no mistake, there are many parallel truths within theology and (theistic) philosophy of religion, such as the existence of God and his infinite and eternal nature. But Scripture and the New Testament alone, reveals God as triune.
• It seems to me that the Biblical Christian should expose and oppose false teaching and heresy (Galatians, 2 Peter, Jude as examples); but each 'heretic hunter' should continually examine one's own theology and worldview, as a finite and sinful entity, even as those in Christ are sanctified. There is a need for continual prayer and reflection. Lord, please guide me to be in the truth, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion,, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html
CALVIN, JOHN (1540)(1973) Romans and Thessalonians, Translated by Ross Mackenzie, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
CALVIN, JOHN (1550)(1978) Concerning Scandals, Translated by John W. Fraser, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CALVIN, JOHN (1552)(1995) Acts, Translated by Watermark, Nottingham, Crossway Books.
CALVIN, JOHN (1553)(1952) Job, Translated by Leroy Nixon, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
CALVIN, JOHN (1554)(1965) Genesis, Translated by John King, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
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