Can John Calvin’s teaching on salvation be Biblically supported without contradiction?

Question

My commentary on this topic can be read at:


http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-S6YMuFYyaa9ESBoW5DFwEjL_HhqA;_ylt=AtHS7U_vmu_59_F4H5EhHYq0AOJ3

Catholic Crusader,

I am Fr. Joseph.

Answer 1

This is a difficult but important question to pursue because some of the most fanatical Puritans in Y!A, folks who revile the original Church as evil, place their faith in the errors of John Calvin. A careful study of Calvin finds him in opposition to Jesus' teachings.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism
The five points of Calvinism, which can be remembered by the English mnemonic TULIP are:

1) Total depravity (or total inability): As a consequence of the fall of man, every person born into the world is enslaved to the service of sin.

While the term "total depravity" is ill-chosen, Calvin is not far here from original sin.

2) Unconditional election: God's choice from eternity of those whom he will bring to himself is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people. Rather, it is unconditionally grounded in God's mercy.

This is predestination, which denies free will and contradicts the entire ministry of Christ. If the "elect" have already been chosen, there is no point in following through on Christ's directives. For example, in Matt 25:

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

3) Limited atonement (or particular redemption or definite atonement): The death of Christ actually takes away the penalty of sins of those on whom God has chosen to have mercy.

Atonement is limited, but it is accomplished by baptism, when we die to ourselves and take up the life of Christ. Baptism is the first of several works required of Christians, including repentance, self-renunciation, faith, works of justice and charity, adopting the humility of a child, eating the bread of life, and enduring to the end.

4) Irresistible grace (or efficacious grace): The saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he has determined to save (the elect) and, in God's timing, overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to a saving faith in Christ.

The fact of temptation and sin demonstrates that God's grace is "resistable." Mankind can always prefer the short-term benefits of sin over a right relationship with God. If God's grace were irresistible, then the saints would be robots, not free people who freely gave their lives to God.

5) Perseverance of the saints (or preservation of the saints): Any person who has once been truly saved from damnation must necessarily persevere and cannot later be condemned.

This claim is contradicted by Christ's call to endure to the end, e.g., in Matt 10:22: "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."

Calvin is trying to glorify God by putting him into total control. In fact, however, he rejects God's plan to woo the freely given love of the creatures he made in his own image, and discards essential teachings from the gospels.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Calvin was a cult leader.
The idea that you are totally doomed, depraved, helpless unless you accept the dictates of the Cults of Calvinism is an almost perfect control measure.
Utter condemnation or absolute salvation.

Nice work in the blog. I suggest looking into coercive persuasion techniques and keeping them in mind as you explore religious doctrine.
There is a reason they call brain washing indoctrination.

There is nothing in the bible that supports Calvinism.

Answer 3

No way,
Calvinist extremes of Double Predestination(Preterminism) can cbe "supported" by Bible quotes just as anything else imaginable can,but they are contrary to the New Testament taken as a whole.
Not only is Calvinism's view of salvation(especially that after Calvin) contrary biblically but it is contrary to the very Nature of God as Love

Answer 4

I have not any clue how they did. i became into born into it and had to verify each and all the guides with references to the bible. growing to be up maximum "assembly" we attended in touch preaching. Now it s thrilling how their long upheld 1914 doctrine crumbled. additionally how they're pleading low money whilst a million they're paying hundreds of thousands in new child abuse fits and paradoxically offered a a million.4 M mansion. Waterfront property in Wales. offered by potential of bits international bible and tract society euro of wbts. in us

Answer 5

John Calvin is that Moses.

Answer 6

No, it cannot. John Calvin did not teach the Bible, but his own ideas.

Answer 7

Nope. The Bible says all are called, not just a chosen few.

Answer 8

I am really interested in his theology. I'll read your blog.

Answer 9

You're right on the money!
(sorry, I forgot who you were)

Answer 10

No.