John Calvin would have been in the Occupy Wall Street movement, says WCRC’s (Reformed) Nyomi

Presbyterian Church ^ | 5.dec.2011 | KRISTINE GREENAWAY

[Cronos]

The cause of demonstrators involved in the “Occupy Wall Street” movement would have been supported by John Calvin, the 16th century church reformer who helped shape modern-day Protestantism, says the general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

“I am sure he would have been in the streets of New York or London with a placard,” says WCRC’s Setri Nyomi of the French lawyer and theologian who wrote extensively about social and economic justice.

...“Calvin expressed opposition to all forms of social oppression resulting from money,” Nyomi says. “Today, it is the global economic systems and practices that have more sophisticated forms of effects.”

...The WCRC endorses economic justice as an expression of Christian faith. The Accra Confession, a foundational document for the organization, declares: “We believe the economy exists to serve the dignity and well-being of people … Therefore we reject the unregulated accumulation of wealth and limitless growth that has already cost the lives of millions and destroyed much of God’s creation.”

[Cronos]

Interesting.

[Dutchboy88]

Yes, and he would have wanted Planned Parenthood to be funded...too.

[Cronos]

dutch: "Calvin" would have wanted Planned Parenthood to be funded -- I dunno. but good point

[circlecity]

This is absolute nonsense. As if the WCRC or the PCUSA knew the slightest thing about Calvin’s teachings. I would ask that they cite where in the “Institutes” Calvin ever evn suggested such tripe.

[Cronos]

well, they are the largest Reformed and Presbyterian denominations. Others would say that Calvin was the first to promote social justice — Edward Dommen & James Bratt’s “Calvin rediscovered” is a good book to start.

[slumber1]

Actually Calvin would probably be burning the OWS folks at the stake but we won’t let a little thing like facts get in the way of a good socialist narrative.

[Cronos]

And the WCRC is according to wikipedia The World Communion of Reformed Churches is an ecumenical Christian body formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council. With approximately 80 million members, the WCRC is the third largest Christian communion in the world

This includes the Protestant Church of Algeria, the Church of North India, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian,Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Presbyterian Church of Wales

and many others -- they do represent Calvinism

[Cronos]

well, if they didn’t obey Calvin’s orders, yes you are correct.

[Alex Murphy]

This is absolute nonsense. As if the WCRC or the PCUSA knew the slightest thing about Calvin’s teachings. I would ask that they cite where in the “Institutes” Calvin ever evn suggested such tripe.

What did you expect? It's the PCUSA.

[circlecity]

"and many others -- they do represent Calvinism"

These are some of the most liberal institutuions in the world. Does the WCC represent all Christians? Does Father Phelger represent Catholicism? And I love your source - Do you also agree with everything Wikipedia has to say about Catholicism too?

[Wiser now]

These people will be shocked to find that the Jesus of the Bible will not be impressed with their “tax the rich” version of “justice”.
They would be wise to revisit the parable of the “widow’s mite” before they congratulate themselves too much.

[Dutchboy88]

Of course, he would have. And, pope john paul would have loved the NAMBLA convention center in Vegas.

[El Cid]

Sure.
He and William Farel, and their associates, seemed to enjoy wading into the midst of crowds of hostile lost souls in their attempt to save some from the fire to come.
I wouldn't doubt that he'd be in the midst of the OWS crowd. Farel, Calvin, and the others were crazy in their courage, and sincere in their love for the Lord and the lost.

[El Cid]

A good biography of William Farel (also touches on John Calvin):

William Farel

[Alex Murphy]

Of course, he would have. And, pope john paul would have loved the NAMBLA convention center in Vegas.

....more damning were numerous documents revealing that Bernard Cardinal Law, his predecessor, Humberto Cardinal Medeiros, and other archdiocesean officials were aware of [Rev. Paul R. Shanley]'s behavior as far back as 1967, but continued to assign him to posts that put him in direct contact with children.

Coyne appeared visibly angry as he revealed the discovery of the documents, saying there is no question now that there had been numerous written complaints made in past years to chancery officials about Shanley's behavior....records showed that Shanley spoke in favor of sex between men and boys at a December 1978 Boston convention that led to the founding of the intergenerational sex advocacy organization.
-- from the 2002 thread BREAKING: Church uncovers [NEW!!!] file on Shanley NAMBLA activity

[Dutchboy88]

Okay, I thought I was being sarcastic but...

[Cronos]

the difference is that they are the majority of all Presbyterians. Phelger is a minority. Look at Presbyterians in the US for example -- out of the 3 million odd Presbyterians and Reformed in the US, the vast majority -- 80% + are PCUSA or the other libeal denominations in the WCRC. The conservative PCA and OPC are just about 10 to 12% of the Presbyterians -- hence the majority are these WCRC and they DO represent Presbyterianism

Among Southern Baptists or Catholics these are a minority.

[Cronos]

As you said, Calvin would have supported Planned Parenthood

[Cronos]

But more critically — the vast majority of the descendents of Calvinistic philosophy are in the WCRC which has proclaimed this message that “John Calvin would have been in the Occupy Wall Street movement”

[Cronos]

And note that I pointed out how the WCRC represents the majority of the various Reformed groups globally. That is true — you can check the numbers elsewhere. Now this majority group is more than 3/4ths of all Presbs. We may disagree or agree with different points of what they say, but as the majority in a Democrat system like the Presbyterian, they do represent all Presbyterians in their opinion.