And no, this has nothing to do with Calvin and Hobbes. Sorry.
2007-05-30 06:05:11 · 14 answers · asked by Jed 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think so. I am a Presbytinianish Calvinist. It's a tad concise on parts where I may not be, but rest assured it is Biblical Christianity.
check out monergism.com
2007-05-30 06:10:08 · answer #1 · answered by Soundtrack to a Nightmare 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
calvinism, due to it's concept of predestination, i.e. the idea that even before someone is born, it is already decided whether they are going to heaven or hell; is indeed problematic. Some people abuse this and claim that because they are part of the predetermined 'elect,' then anyone who diagrees with the finer points of their doctrine, e.g. Methodists, Catholics, etc. will 'burn in the lake of fire for all eternity.' Admittedly many Calvinists are wonderful people who do not hold such poisonous views; but it seems that in America and Northern Ireland in particular, people who do not agree with every one of the '5 points' of Calvinism' are sometimes seen as reprobates. This is particularly lffensive because some of these 5 points are very obviously far from being fundamental to one's salvation. I think Calvinism is one interpretation that lends itself to being abused by people who would idolise Calvin; despite the fact that he committed horrendous human rights abuses when he was the dictator of Geneva, including executing a Spanish priest for, guess what? Heresy! Hmmm, pot calling the kettle......
2007-05-30 13:13:20 · answer #2 · answered by Jerusalem Delivered 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As with any "theology" as it is man-made, there will be problems. However, that being said, Calvinists teach their doctrines of grace primarily for the encouragement of the [church] because they believe the doctrines demonstrate the extent of God's love in saving those who could not and would not follow him, as well as reducing pride and self-reliance and falling into the kind arms of the true, Sovereign Lord.
I am guessing the main point of contention is the last of the five points of Calvinism: Perseverance of the saints. I thinkt his point needs to be correctly understood --Any person who has once been [truly saved] from damnation must necessarily persevere and cannot later be condemned-- "truly saved" is the key. "...he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mark 13:13
2007-05-30 19:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of the problems that come from literal interpetation of the Bible are applicable to Calvinism. It s a very authoritarian, rigid and conservative variant of Christianity, and one of the more militantly unpleasant.
2007-05-30 13:18:40 · answer #4 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The theology is as unsound as any Christian doctrines but that aside I like the emphasis on austerity and personal improvement through education. I live in a formerly Calvinist country and their legacy has been mostly positive.
2007-05-30 13:08:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It sort of removes free will from the question. "Irresistible grace," for example. Means that if you're chosen by God to receive His grace, you will "have" to respond to it and receive it. And then there's "eternal security." Means I can't walk away if I want to. Where's the free will there? God's a perfect gentleman. He never stays where He's not wanted.
I know a guy who says, on the subject of eternal security, "I reserve the right to go to hell if I want to." It's a joke; he doesn't want to. But the point is, what kind of God would God be if He refused to let him?
2007-05-30 13:11:47 · answer #6 · answered by hoff_mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. Calvinism is merely another form of selective Biblical literalism: interpret verses that support your view literally, and then dismiss all evidence to the contrary based on what you already 'know'. If you follow Calvinism to its extreme, God creates people predestined to go to hell. Calvin himself explained the apparent salvation of some people who later fall away in terms of God giving light to the person and then taking it away, just to show his sovereignty. Sick sick sick!
2007-05-30 13:11:13 · answer #7 · answered by jamesfrankmcgrath 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Isn't the basic premise of it that Man can develop a conscious contact with God, as He reveals Himself to them personally?
-The Books aren't for everyone. Are we to take for granted that God only writes things in books?-He also wrote the entire Creation.
2007-05-30 13:10:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Calvinism is fine if you have already given up on the world and are living in a bomb shelter waiting for the end.
Me? I think we still have a chance.
2007-05-30 13:10:12 · answer #9 · answered by Rob F. 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's as sound as the pound (or Euro).
What is Calvinism?
http://www.truecovenanter.com/supralapsarian/Calvinism.html
2007-05-30 13:10:11 · answer #10 · answered by Brian 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋