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To: rusty schucklefurd
9 posted on 12/9/2014, 9:31:21 AM by rusty schucklefurd: “I agree with the writer’s thesis regarding many Christians buying into the “you can’t legislate morality”, and I’ve also heard many Christians say that getting involved in politics is unGodly and unChristian, that the world is gonna do what the world is gonna do, that “it’s all gonna burn anyway”’ and now, I am also hearing “well, God is working all,of this out according to His will, He is in control” (sort of a Calvinistic fatalism).”

Whatever that is, it's not Calvinism.

It may be fatalism.

I have no desire to get into an argument over Reformed doctrine but this simply cannot stand without reply. Anyone who thinks John Calvin was not involved in politics has never read Book IV of Calvin's Institutes or even secular historians writing about politics at the time of the Reformation. The political nature of historic Calvinism really is a matter of crystal clear black-and-white facts about which there can be no serious historical dispute.

142 posted on 12/20/2014 5:41:46 PM PST by darrellmaurina
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To: darrellmaurina

I agree with you in not wanting to argue, but I must ask, what is the practical difference between Calvinism and “Christian” determinism/fatalism?

As to politics, you’re right that Calvinists have always been involved politically, but I don’t understand how Calvinists can theologically or philosophically support political activism. It seems they would be going against God’s ordained will because God is totally in control at all times and in all things so whatever government exists is God’s will.

On the other hand, I have also run into reformed thinking Christians in my own church who think getting involved with politics is a waste of time and even theologically unsound because, in their view, whatever is has been ordained by God. And, that was my point in the original post. I didn’t mean to say that ALL Calvinists were of that mindset, only that there is that view out there that what is IS God’s will and working for change is “unChristian” and a lack of faith in God.


143 posted on 12/21/2014 9:12:50 PM PST by rusty schucklefurd
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