The major problem with calvinism is that when you take its premise that God is responsible for everything, then God is ultimately the source of all evil.
Agreed. No one can tell me that illness and death aren't Satan's tools.
According to the Westminster Confession of Faith, everything that happens to the extent that it happens, in the order that it happens, and who it happens to, is all for the Reformed God's pleasure. I have also been instructed by the Reformed that satan is a tool of the Reformed God who uses him for His pleasure and to do His will. Indeed, it appears that satan can do no other than what the Reformed God has predestined for him.
Hi Nevadan and Norge. First off, the problem with NOT believing in Calvinism gives one the idea that GOD is somehow "weaker" than Satan. That somehow, Satan wins out and gets his way. And looking at the history of the human race, it would seem that Satan is really the one in charge.
Secondly, not believing in Calvinism gives the idea that there is no ultimate, underlying order in the universe. That death, pain, and suffering just sort of happen purposelessly, and that there's no ultimate aim behind things like natural disasters. If a young believer is battling a life-threatening illness, and has no belief that GOD is ultimately the one in control, what's the point in praying? And then, should he or she die, what solace would there be to the family members if they do not have faith in GOD'S sovereignty over the matter?
Just think, wasn't Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection prophecied for thousands of years? Christ prophecied it all throughout his ministry. He even knew Judas would betray him. Why? Because everything was going to go as PLANNED. GOD was fully in control of every last detail, and even what Satan meant for ill, GOD meant for good (as Christ's resurrection attests to)...which leads me to my final point:
GOD is not the author of evil. He *permits* evil. He *allows* for it because it plays a role in the fulfillment of His ultimate, eternal plan for His people. If you read the book of JOB, you'd see that He *permits* Satan to wreak havoc on even the lives of the most faithful people. But, even SATAN is ultimately under GOD'S jurisdiction. Satan can't work beyond what GOD allows. Because in the end, everything will go exactly as GOD intends.
They are the result of the fall. It is at the fall that sin and death entered this world..