Calvinism Critiqued

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,196
6,539
113
#41
that Jesus-is-savior website is very very VERY easy-believism. No repentance.

But yeah. Another calvinist thread lets have it a go.

I dare NOT critique calvinism anymore, despite being so hard on it earlier. After being pointed out that some people departed Jesus SPECIFICALLY because of His teaching on predestination. I dont want to mess with that.

John 6:64-66
Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.


Oh and btw: Calling Martin Luther a heretic is a classic. In the sense that without Luther you wouldn't even be able to read the Bible in your language, or have the knowledge to call him a heretic, you would be bowing to the Pope if it wasnt for him!
Historical context people! Luther was a great man of God!

Maybe this is one of those things we ARENT supposed to have figured out completely. Like Paul says:

Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
That's not predestination, that is foreknowing.............funny how folks keep forgetting that part :)
 

NayborBear

Banned Serpent Seed Heresy
#42
Much like what Charles Spurgeon said concerning John Calvins' views concerning election, and predestination, and why he himself held to such "theology?" "I couldn't help it!"

And, neither can I! I didn't come into CC subscribing to, let alone endorsing Calvin, nor the "tenets" of T.U.L.I.P.!
Know what? I still don't! Having said this however? As I strive onwards in the "perfecting", or "maturing" of my faith in God, and in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior? I have come to the conclusion, that, like Paul stated in Romans 8:34 - "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who ALSO maketh intercession for us."

Paul could "see" this distinction, between the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ, WITHIN HIMSELF! As the words of his testimony confirms in verse 9! "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

The question has to be asked: Now why would Paul state such a marked "distinction" BETWEEN the Father, and His only begotten, IF, there WASN'T one?!

And, again, in verse 11: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and it is! Looking FOR "signs OF Life!"), he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also MAKE ALIVE your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Paul again, making a distinction from the GIVER of His "gift of the Holy Spirit", FROM the "Gift of the Holy Spirit" itself!

But, anyways, as I was saying before, in my faith being perfected, or maturing? I "see" many SIMILARITIES to these (how can I say) "observations", that John Calvin seen. As well as Charles Spurgeon!

And, I am not trying to convert ANYONE! Only one I can truly convert, is myself! Yet? I KNOW whom I am believing! And, am (and still being) pursuaded, in His KEEPING that which is committed UNTO Him? AGAINST that day! (oughta be a song! ;))
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,196
6,539
113
#43
EXCERPT:

John Calvin’s interpretation of the Bible justified the murder of his theological opponents.

Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies” didn’t stop Calvin from killing them. Paul’s instructions for dealing with people who theologically disagree with you were ignored: “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Calvin authorized beheadings, death by fire, and torture rather than exercise patience and kindness with competing theologians. His enforcement of biblical doctrines looked more like ISIS than Jesus.

FOUND HERE:

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrJ...ified-it/RK=2/RS=d1lQtjOEXv3VWJgNozJ46UC4XdE-
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,196
6,539
113
#44
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#45
Actually Brother, for a few weeks now, there are a few here who have been proclaiming the wonder of Calvinism, and putting down those who disagree with them. I have been witnessing it almost daily, and I got fed up with it. If ANYONE is acting like political attack dogs, it is the few here who have been banging Calvin's drum day after day. You may have missed some of the comments, and "relative harmony" in my opinion is a bit of a stretch since a few of these newbies have arrived with their proclamation that John Calvin's teachings are CARVED IN STONE Biblical Truth.............

So, why not give them a taste of their own medicine? You see how they react when the shoe is on the other foot, right? Such is the way with such as these............

All you or anyone needs to know about John Calvin is he ORDERED the murder of people who disagreed with his teachings................ I don't care if someone believes in predestination, I DO have a problem with folks who praise and proclaim the greatness of a known murderer.
I agree the Calvin debates have really ramped up again and they swing with a pretty broad foot in attempts to stomp out dissenters

in times past, there have been some truly nasty nasty threads regarding this topic that resulted in reported posts and I suspect some warnings from the mods

I have to question why it is becoming so nasty once again

there is a noticeable air of mocking others in certain posts

anyway, always best not to resort to the same tactics but we should certainly be able to discuss without being told we are not saved and so on, as has been done in the past

as I have said before, Calvin...nor any other human for that matter...ever saved anyone

Only Jesus does that
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#46
excerpt:

It baffles the mind and often borders on the bizarre to see how Calvinists who call themselves loving and obedient sheep and followers of Jesus Christ fight tooth and nail to defend their hero, the murderer and serial killer – JOHN CALVIN (French: Jean Calvin, born Jehan Cauvin: 10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564).

FOUND HERE;

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrJ61iPn_1b4Y4AJXxXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyOTFuZDBkBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM3BHZ0aWQDQjY1NzRfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1543376912/RO=10/RU=https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2013/05/14/calvinists-justify-the-known-murderer-john-calvin//RK=2/RS=lfN114Bk9.atPBFmcl.ZRc.kVjU-
Not to mock you or anything, But I have to wonder if you forgot. Many people who call themselves loving and followers jesus christ fight tooth and nail to defend Saul of Tarsus, Who not only killed many people. But admitted he was the chief sinner. And used the bible to excuse his sin...

In fact. If one looks at many of our fathers (Abraham, David, Moses) we will see, they were not squeeky clean people either.

If we all stopped following people just because they commited some prety serious sins, We would have next to no one to follow..(we are not innocent ourselves)

I know you have me on ignore. But something had to be said, and I just wish you would think bfore you start attacking like you are doing
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#47
I also agree that some of the calvin debates and those who are trying to defend Calvin by attacking others is getting out of hand.. I had to place a few more on ignore. But not sure this is the right way to fight those people.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#48
Our total salvation, our total redemption, hinges on one thing, the faithfulness of God.
That is our hope our very foundation. Which is found in the Christ.
Our very own king had become flesh and lived among us to prove that point.
For yet while we were sinners he died for us......all have sinned .......but the Christ had come to save.
Who instructed God on how he should do this? Or even why or who? Who are we to esteem ourselves above what we are?
God in the first days saved Adam and Eve by first offering to cover their sin with coats of skin. Why?? To continue educating his son on the path he should go. Not for a moment was he surprised on what had happened but we should look at the immediate solution that God provided.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#50
I also agree that some of the calvin debates and those who are trying to defend Calvin by attacking others is getting out of hand.. I had to place a few more on ignore. But not sure this is the right way to fight those people.
I agree. Luke proved after 30 yrs the story remained the same. But now you have people coming in disecting the word of God.
To look for something that isn't there.
The book of job shows us that his friends did the same thing. No comfort in knowing "if you are one of the elect " then everything will be all right.
I take comfort in knowing that all of it is going as God planned. Knowing the end from the beginning that he left no stone unturned to deliver all of mankind from the grip of sin. If they choose to be saved.
 

Laish

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2016
1,666
448
83
57
#51
It’s more than a bit depressing that so close to a time that many chose to remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that we step down and act like the folks we try to evangelize. We fail to see our fellow believers as brother and sister in Christ. Instead we decide to show our superiority to the other brother by throwing insults.
May our Lord have mercy on us all .
I love all you folks here even those that I disagree with . I have in the past thrown a barb or two to my shame . Forgive me please . If we disagree let’s be civil. There is a real person on the other side .
What’s really depressing is these are precise type of arguments that keep folks away from the truth of our Lord.
Think about it . Look at what we have posted . What will a seeker find ? Are we going to be recognized as being Christ’s by our love for one another?
Blessings
A brother in Christ
Bill
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#52
i believe the idea is supported by passages such as these --

Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
(John 3:3)
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit
(1 Corinthians 2:14)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
(John 6:44)
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."
(John 6:63-65)

. . put together with Romans 3:9-18 for example.

these ideas didn't come from thin air by people trying to create false doctrine; they came from people studying the Bible and expressing what they understood from it. so i'm not sure 'found nowhere in the Bible' is accurate, even if you don't agree that it is the right understanding. legalistic works-to-earn-salvation is 'found in the Bible' in a certain sense though it is contrary to the message of the gospel when the whole message is taken into account -- i mean, it's not like people who preach that never quote any verses, in fact, that's what the Book says about the law of Moses, that 'the one who does these things shall live by them' - it's just that part of the truth is missing from the argument: that no one does these things, and God in His lovingkindness extends mercy to us through the Son, making for us a way in which we actually can enter into fellowship with Him and have life in Him, through faith in Him, apart from works.
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#53
Dude.............are you really that ignorant? "p. rehbein said?" Dude, you are quoting from an Article.......I DID NOT write the Article........no wonder you get so many things wrong.........goodness
I never made that statement, but it is obvious you cannot comprehend even simple phrases and see things never stated. This is perhaps why you arrive at your false gospel of works salvation, no?
 
Oct 25, 2018
2,377
1,198
113
#55
I never made that statement, but it is obvious you cannot comprehend even simple phrases and see things never stated. This is perhaps why you arrive at your false gospel of works salvation, no?
He was the one who posted the OP...so he better expect some push back.
 
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#56
And, yet again you lie........good thing you believe in predestination, given the amount of lies you tell, it's the only way you will get to heaven..............
Nowhere did I lie, but I do forgive you.

Not at all, dear sir concerning getting to heaven as you say in anger and hate. I will get to heaven because God elected me by his grace unto eternal life, based on nothing good in me. It is all by his grace and none of man.
 
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#57
He was the one who posted the OP...so he better expect some push back.
Nothing objective in the OP, unfortunately, it's like a tabloid full of vitriol, lies, hate; a purely malicious objective. He even directed me here so I could witness his hate first hand. Proud of it I suppose.

I believe Scripture calls this "works of the flesh."
 
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#58
Actually Brother, for a few weeks now, there are a few here who have been proclaiming the wonder of Calvinism, and putting down those who disagree with them. .
This is also untrue sir.

But there is this, you are decrying in others (albeit falsely) what you are doing yourself.

You are aware of what this is called.