Calvinism

Calvinism (also called the Reformed tradition, Reformed Christianity or the Reformed faith) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians.

Should we try to follow Christ or Calvin?

Are they in agreement or does Calvin stray from Christ and His Doctrines?

The term Calvinism can be a misleading. The religious tradition and ideology it suggests has been diverse. There is a wide range of ideas connected with Calvin's original ideas that have both expounded and redirected his original reforms. rather than a single founder. Lutherans who opposed it were the first to call the movement "Calvinism".

Reformed Protestants disagree about the definition and boundaries of their traditions.

• Reformed theologians believe that God communicates knowledge of himself to people through the Word of God. People are not able to know anything about God except through this self-revelation.

• God is infinite, and finite people are incapable of comprehending an infinite being.

Most objections to and attacks on Calvinism focus on the "five points of Calvinism," also called the doctrines of grace, and remembered by the mnemonic "TULIP."

The central assertion of these points is that God saves every person upon whom he has mercy, and that his efforts are not frustrated by the unrighteousness or inability of humans.

1. "Total depravity," also called "total inability," asserts that as a consequence of the fall of man into sin, every person is enslaved to sin. People are not by nature inclined to love God but rather to serve their own interests and to reject the rule of God. Thus, all people by their own faculties are morally unable to choose to follow God and be saved because they are unwilling to do so out of the necessity of their own natures. This doctrine appears to be derived from Augustine's explanation of Original Sin. While the phrases "totally depraved" and "utterly perverse" were used by Calvin, but not found in the Canons of Dort or the teachings of Christ. It is true that none is good but God but the idea of "totally depraved" is a long way from that. Certainly we can not save ourselves from sin but that is because we have no means to pay that debt. Phrases like "total depravity" would negate any reason to say Repent nor Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness nor use words like strive and love and forgive, all of which Christ did.
2. "Unconditional election" asserts that God has chosen from eternity those whom he will bring to himself not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people; rather, his choice is unconditionally grounded in his mercy alone. Certainly forgiveness and salvation must be the end result of grace. But the idea that we have no choice seems to argue against not only Repent but all the instructions given by Christ. If their is no choice or no ability to choose then why discuss the matter or even preach to anyone? Certainly Christ and God makes their own choices as we see in John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
3. "Limited atonement," also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement", asserts that Jesus's substitutionary atonement was definite and certain in its purpose and in what it accomplished. This implies that only the sins of the elect were atoned for by Jesus's death. Calvinists do not believe, however, that the atonement is limited in its value or power, but rather that the atonement is limited in the sense that it is intended for some and not all. Some Calvinists have summarized this as "The atonement is sufficient for all and efficient for the elect." All Calvinists would affirm that the blood of Christ was sufficient to pay for every single human being IF it were God's intention to save every single human being. This idea does not seem to take into consideration the statement John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Admittedly some Calvinists also teach that the atonement accomplished certain benefits for all mankind, albeit, not their eternal salvation.This doctrine seems to be driven by the Calvinistic concept of the sovereignty of God in salvation and their understanding of the nature of the atonement.
4. "Irresistible grace," also called "efficacious grace", asserts that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he has determined to save (that is, the elect) and overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to a saving faith. This means that when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved. The doctrine holds that this purposeful influence of God's Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, but that the Holy Spirit, "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ." This all seems to end any idea of free choice and seems to make Christs plea for repentance and keeping the commandments to obtain eternal life superfluous.
5. "Perseverance of the saints" (or perseverance of God with the saints) (the word "saints" is used to refer to all who are set apart by God, and not of those who are exceptionally holy, canonized, or in heaven) asserts that since God is sovereign and his will cannot be frustrated by humans or anything else, those whom God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with (1 John 2:19), or, if they are saved but not presently walking in the Spirit, they will be divinely chastened (Hebrews 12:5–11) and will repent (1 John 3:6–9).

All this seems to attractive ideology for several reasons.

One can excuse a life of debauchery if not general sin as something that could not be avoided by any choice you make. You are not accountable. And secondly now that have changed you are not counted amongst the "elect". Both ideas may alleviate the conscience but seem to by an exercise in persona vanity void of any personal responsibility for your actions.

There must be choice. The problem with the Calvinist is that they do not understand where the choice is made. It is true that the mind is incapable of righteous thinking and choice. That is because the mind is the Tree of knowledge.

The Calvinist is deep within his own mind studying to find all the answers. Even figuring out what the Bible is saying, what the word of God is telling us is a product of their flesh and blood minds rather than spiritual revelation.

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