Catholicism,Calvinism,Reformed Theology & Addiction Debate

"Chapter 14 defines saving faith as that which enables people to believe to the saving of their souls. The confession states that it is the work of the Holy Spirit and is ordinarily accomplished by the preaching of the word. Saving faith is strengthened and increased by the preaching of the word, the sacraments, and prayer. This faith enables a person to believe that whatever is revealed in the Bible is true and to rest on Christ alone for eternal life."

Hearing the word as it is preached is the ordinary way people come to salvation? Is preaching the word a necessary work to bring about salvation? I understand this statement to mean that the Holy Spirit works through a vessel (person preaching) to reach people though the spoken word of God? It seems pretty synergistic, unless the person preaching is compelled to against their free will.

 

I'm quoting Wikipedia btw and also please understand I'm genuinely trying to learn the theology. I've talked with Reformed believers in the past and heard different takes...

 

I'm not sure this answers my question about how grace is conferred...unless I'm missing it.

 

I love it already. It's almost like it chose me!

 

So a person must read it in scripture, hear it, see it in action? How does one come to know Jesus? Through the teaching of others? I'm not sure I understand...

 

If I reduce you statement. It means specific knowledge is necessary for salvation. That can't be, it would exclude mentally handicapped people and infants. I'm not sure Calvin thought that, but I'll keep reading.

 

The T in TULIP right?

 

So if I sit and listen in order to be saved, then in some way God already saved me before I sat down, because I would not have any desire to seek him or listen if he first hadn't regenerated me right?

 

So I'm saved without the Bible or repentance because before I know those things, I sat down, which I couldn't have done without God's grace.

 

Then the whole thing was a charade because they were never saved to begin with right? Otherwise they could never have lost it.