Thank you for the kind encouragement. I am thankful that you found the site and that you found it to be helpful.
Yes, I do believe that Calvinism preaches a "different gospel". Calvinism may use the same terms: God, Jesus, salvation, justification, foreordination, predestination, election, grace, faith, and so on; however, they attribute a radically different meaning to each of these terms, such that we do not even preach the same "plan of salvation".
The apostle Paul described a "different gospel" and its consequences, like so:
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)
Practically and doctrinally there can be no long-term fellowship over this matter, because Calvinism advocates a different God and Jesus (selfish, egotistical, and unjust), and because it advocates a different hope, calling, and baptism (not for remission of sins, see
Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:1-6). Christian unity requires agreement upon at least the 7 "one's":
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Arguably, Calvinism perverts almost all 7 of the 7 one's of the "unity of the Spirit". Without agreement on these 7, there can be no peace or foundation for unity (
James 3:17,
"first pure, then peaceable").
You are doing a great work by alerting your brethren to the presence of this error among you (
"fight the good fight",
I Timothy 6:12;
"contend earnestly for the faith",
Jude 1:3). Keep in mind, your primary weapon is the Word of God, for it is the power unto salvation (
Romans 1:16; Ephesians 6:10-17).
Those who cling to 2, 3, or 4 points of Calvinism are in transition or are undecided. Calvinism is built upon erroneous premises (chiefly, God's absolute extension and exercise of His absolute Sovereignty), and it ignores too much Scripture; however,
within its own framework, it is very logical and tightly coupled. So, if a person grants almost any 1 of the 5 tenets, he must logically accept the other 4. Contrariwise, if a person disproves any 1 of the 5 tenets, he logically disproves all 5! If you understand the logic of Calvinism, and if you carefully, kindly question the leadership, forcing them to be consistent, they will eventually gravitate one way or the other, or they will have to surrender their integrity by clinging to an evaporating illusion of consistency.
As soon as you are ready, consider humbly seeking a meeting with the leadership. Study the Bible on the essential points that have been taught. If they become hostile, dismissive, or belligerent, then you have your answer. Make sure that you are loving, gracious, and humble at all times during any discussion or interaction (
Colossians 4:6; Luke 14:7-11; 18:9-14).
I pray you find this helpful. If I can do anything to help, please let me know.
May God help us to have a sincere love of truth,
m273p15c