BTW-I'm a Calvinist because I FIRST read and agreed with Augustine's writings. John Calvin, in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" quotes extensively from the early church fathers. I agree with Calvin because I agree with the early church fathers.
A friend of mine who is a Calvinist made a good point that I have yet to give a solid rebuttal to. As Protestants we hold that Christ did it all for our salvation and there is nothing we can do to earn it. If this statement is true then it follow that if we choose Christ we have done something to earn our salvation.
Agree with them on what, exactly? Grace?
There are giant swaths of Augustine's writings that I am not sure how any Calvinist could read without twitching. He wrote quite a few sermons celebrating the feasts of the martyrs for instance.
My experience is that those who often criticise John Calvin haven't a clue about his life, works and writings.
Ditto Augustine.
Our pastor is talking getting a little "theo-nerd reading group" to track the reading plan of the Paideia Center. Not on official group, we're too small for that. Gregory Nazianzus first.
I'm in and out on Freerepublic lately, but it's been a while since I've seen a thread this thick with nonsense.