The very first argument in the beginning of the article is false!

Is Calvinism taught in the Bible? Does man have free-will? Can a Christian apostatize? Discuss all related questions here.

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The very first argument in the beginning of the article is false!

Post by email » Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:39 pm

Inquiry in Reference To: http://www.insearchoftruth.org/articles/calvinism.html
"Very few doctrines are more pervasive in modern churches and theology than Calvinism"
This sentence is false, and represents the founding argument of the article.

Calvinism is simply the discipline of interpreting scripture through the lens of theological or philosophical determinism. (see quote below)
Perhaps the most prominent theologian to espouse hard theological determinism was John Calvin, with his formulation of predestination. Calvin was a late mediaeval French Christian, and was a main influence behind Calvinism, a form of Protestantism developed in the early Reformation.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_determinism)
Theological Determinism did not originate with Calvin or Augustine.

Ancient Babylonian's held the sovereignty of the stars controlled the fate of men. Hence three "Magi" follow the star to Jesus' birth.

In Islamic religion "Allah" predestines the fate of all men.

The Greeks (Plato and the school of neoplatonism), the sovereignty of three specific gods controlled the fate of all men.

Hence Augustine's confession "I was taught the corporeal things of god by the books of the platonists"

has the sovereignty of "karma" controlling man's fate.

The Essenses are the only documented sect of Jews who held to a form of theological determinism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essenes

Determinism within religions is therefore a very ancient pagan concept.

There is nothing "modern" about it.

Of the 600800 million estimated Protestants world-wide, those who hold to a "free-will" view, as defined in "libertarian terms" approximate 75% of the total. Calvinists are small by comparison. Why? Because polishing, protecting and promoting a sacred *image* is the agenda. :wink:
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m273p15c
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The very first argument in the beginning of the article is false!

Post by m273p15c » Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:52 pm

I think we already allude to the ancient roots of Calvinism, although we do not elaborate in such detail:
Very few doctrines are more pervasive in modern churches and theology than Calvinism. Although not modern by any means, this doctrine is recognized by its most successful proponent, John Calvin (1509-1564).
Thanks for the comparative perspective. That's very interesting.

Please keep in mind that determinism is only one facet of Calvinism. "Irresistible Grace", "Perseverance of the Saints", and "Faith Only" are other critical components of Calvinism. And, it seems that these pervade most every Protestant denomination, although some to more extent than others. So, please remain on guard to the effects of Calvinism, even though one aspect, determinism, may not appear in every denomination's creeds and beliefs.

Thanks for the feedback!

m273p15c
May God help us to love truth sincerely and supremely (II Thessalonians 2:11-12)

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