I love the works of Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, C.H. Spurgeon etc., yet I have a really hard time coming to grips with the Calvinist teaching that all non-Christians will burn in hell. I find myself leaning to the approach of C.S. Lewis who posited that all in hell will be given a second chance. Am I still a Calvinist?
2006-08-15 02:50:46 · 12 answers · asked by shaolin samurai 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, I dont think so, though I am not a Calvinist, I dont agree with the TULIP method that John Calvin uses to explain predestination. All this debate actually revolves around one word.
"Foreknowledge" A Calvinist will say that that word is a relational term, An Armianist will say that that word is a literal one meaning that God looked down the tunnel of time and foreseen who would freely chose to love and obey Him and it is of those whom God chose to save. A Calvinist would say that Man has no free will and has no choice and That God will choose "arbitrarily" whom will be saved and whom will be condemned..
The Greek word for the phrase "who are chosen" is transliterated "Eklektos" and means "the elect". It is the same word used Romans 8:33 & 16:13; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1 and Rev. 17:14 among other references. It is always used in reference to God's chosen people i.e. those He elects to be His.
The Greek word for the word translated "foreknowledge" is transliterated "Prognosis" and is the noun which is the basis of its verb "Proginosko". Prognosis is used in Acts 2:23, which speaks of God the Father's foreknowledge that unbelieving Israel would deliver His Son up to be crucified. Its verb form is used in Rom. 8:29; Acts 26:5; Rom. 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:20 and 2 Pet. 3:17. All of the uses of this word, in either its noun or verb form, mean a knowing of events before they happen, and are part of the omniscient nature of God.
Therefore, the verse quite clearly says that the elect were chosen based on the foreknowledge of God the Father. Please notice the grammar, in that the elect were chosen "...according to the foreknowledge of God the Father". The text doesn't say that they were elected or chosen in conjunction with God's foreknowledge, but rather "according to" His foreknowledge. The logical conclusion then is that God used His foreknowledge in choosing the elect.
2006-08-15 03:01:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would not be a Calvinist then because a Calvinist would follow the teachings of Calvin. However, since you're probably right, it's still ok.
I'm kind of a Christian but I doubt a lot of things just like everyone (basically) else.
2006-08-15 09:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by Mama R 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Are you a Calvinist? I'm not sure. Is your name Calvin?
2006-08-15 09:56:14 · answer #3 · answered by dummyfx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea about calvinism but I personally think that God came to save everyone and that christianity has little to do with the heaven/hell question.
2006-08-15 09:54:59 · answer #4 · answered by agliotti 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no because Calvin taught that all saved people were pre destined for salvation. meaning all people not destined to be saved go to hell no matter what. Luther had better ideas then Calvin. try learning some of his stuff.
2006-08-15 09:54:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not a true Calvinist if your beleifs contradict Calvinism. He's a real hardass.
2006-08-15 09:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tunasandwich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is clear all that do not believe in Jesus will spend eternity apart from GOD. It is no easy way to say that and GOD is a just GOD and HE did make a way that people would not be eternity apart from HIM. It people choice to either appect it or reject it.
2006-08-15 10:22:24 · answer #7 · answered by Kenneth G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is one for you, THERE IS NO HELL, right now we are in hell, this life is Hell, every thing else is just a dream
2006-08-15 10:00:56 · answer #8 · answered by funguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The greatest thing about being free is we can believe, or not believe in anything we want! Go for it!
2006-08-15 09:56:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can believe anything you want. The Bible is vague enough that you can read anything you want into it. That's why it is so popular.
2006-08-15 09:54:22 · answer #10 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋