Calvinism

[Ryan In Process]

Hey everyone,
I am struggling with the view of Calvinism; whether to accept or oppose this system.

I was wondering what some of you might have to say for or against this. And, out of curiosity, does anyone know if Jack spoke of any views about this himself?

Ryan

[AllanS]

I think it's ugly. Here are some reasons why:

The Calvinist solution to free will is that all are dead in sin, and that it is only the call of God to the elect that regenerates and infallibly draws the soul.

There are very costly downsides that come with this view.

First, it diminishes God. If He can save sinners by regenerating and calling them, why not save all? He simply chooses not to. Therefore, the Calvinist God is not the All Merciful.

Second, it diminishes human dignity. Corpses, spiritual or otherwise, are repugnant and fit only for the graveyard. The Calvinist Man has no intrinsic worth, and is entirely unlovable.

Third, it violates reason by teaching it is possible for God to force someone to loving him freely. The Calvinist God makes no sense, and has no need to. He is therefore both non-rational and capricious.

Fourth, it removes all possibility of existential peace with God. You have no way of knowing you are, in fact, one of the Elect. Perhaps, in your total depravity, you are self-deluded. Indeed, you probably are.

It is no accident that the Puritans smashed their stained-glass windows and stripped their churches bare.

As for Lewis, he said we could not understand destiny and choice until we had outgrown both.

[Josh]

[AllanS]

[jo]

Welcome Ryan :) You might regret having asked this before the thread is done ;).

My personal take is that Calvinism is ugly, for many of the reasons that Allan has already used. It's not a subject I know a great deal about though.

[Ryan In Process]

[jo]

[Theo]

[John Anthony]

I wonder how far today's churches 'in the Calvinist tradition' are still Calvinist in current attitudes and practice. There are two local Presbyterian churches that I've visited several times each, and whose websites I've explored. In all I've heard or read about 20 sermons at these churches. Not once in any of them was there mention of Calvin or of the doctrine of predestination. Are today's Presbyterians quietly distancing them from much of their 'tradition'? Has anyone here heard in any church much talk about Calvin and affirmation of the predestination doctrine?

[Ryan In Process]

[AllanS]

[Josh]

[Josh]

[Josh]

[AllanS]