Is there a religion or a denomination called "Calvinism" or "Calvinist". Is somebody a member of the "Calvinist Church"? If not, is it really true that another "confession" was mentioned?
Yes, I quite understand that "Catholic-Orthodox" appears vague, but we all know that it would include Roman Catholics and those in communion with Constantinople and other noble and ancient sees.
But -- and I am not being indirect, I really do not know nor mean to claim or to imply knowledge -- is there a denomination which is explicitly "Calvinist"? Is such a Church explicitly in support of the "5 Solas"?
In other words once a comment is made to distinguish limited atonement from general atonement in a discussion distantly related to the principle topic, the thread immediately is thrown open to people who want to cheer lead for their denomination and slander other denominations? Is that really how it should work?
As an alternative could annalex be given the chance to retract the remark or could there be some other remedy so that we don't have to descend into denominational combat?
I fear that unless some fine-tuning of the policy is possible no real discussion can take place. There is a difference in theological systems endorses or adhered to by (A) those who think that God wants all to be saved and permits some to refuse salvation and (B) those who think that God's grace is irresistible and applied irresistibly. Once someone mentions that there are those who think column (B) is correct must the thread be thrown open to everyone?
I think there HAS to be some other way, but maybe there can't be. I dunno.
If anyone else had used the term, I would have given the poster of the article the option of removing the reply post containing the term or opening the thread.
Calvinism is a "confession" under the guidelines because it is a belief. Protestantism is also a confession as is Reformed as is Christianity. Calvinists might appear in any of those caucuses.
annalex certainly could have offered to withdraw the comment - and as long as the post(s) got pulled, I would have honored it and withdrawn myself from the discussion, leaving the "caucus" designation intact. FWIW, had annalex said in post #29 that Calvinism was "included" and not "excluded", I would have equally withdrawn, because no contention would have raised against Calvinism by the use of the name.
In other words once a comment is made to distinguish limited atonement from general atonement in a discussion distantly related to the principle topic, the thread immediately is thrown open to people who want to cheer lead for their denomination and slander other denominations? Is that really how it should work?
That wasn't the comment that did it, MD. "Limited atonement" didn't do it - "Calvinists believe so-and-so, and so-and-so confession excludes them because of it" was the comment. Note that I'm not saying that annalex was "picking a fight" by bringing Calvinism up - I don't believe he was doing so, and I appreciated the tenor of his posts wherein he did. But if you're going to discuss the other guy's group, you either modify the designation to include them in your caucus (i.e. Catholic/Orthodox/Calvinist Caucus), or you drop the designation entirely. Either way, you must give them the opportunity to respond. I don't see a third option here, unless you think talking about a group behind their backs is a legitimate choice.