Catholic Word of the Day: CALVINISM/ARMINIANISM, 09-06-10

CatholicReference.net ^ | 09-06-10 | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

[Salvation]

Featured Term (selected at random):

CALVINISM

The religious system introduced by John Calvin (1509-64). French reformer, in opposition to the doctrine of the Catholic Church on the meaning of humanity's predestination. In the Calvinist system, as a result of Adam's fall, man has no longer any internal freedom of the will; he is a slave of God. Everyone is eternally predestined, either for heaven or for hell, absolutely independent of his personal efforts. Consequently the elect cannot be lost. The basic principles of Calvinism are set forth in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, where Calvin argues that, since God is absolutely infinite, he is the only real agent in the universe and creatures are merely his instruments.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

ARMINIANISM

Doctrine held by certain Calvinists in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century. Originally taught by the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). His followers were called Remonstrants. They opposed Calvin's teaching that grace benefits only the elect, that Christ died for the elect only, and, in general, his doctrine of selective salvation and absolute predestination, independent of human merit. Condemned by the Reformed Synod of Dort (1618-19), it paved the way for permanently dividing the followers of Calvin (1509-64) and the churches derived from the theory of predestination.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

[Gamecock]

Some people can turn their lives around — and no Calvinist can say one day — they are not saved, and another day — they are saved.

Are you perhaps confusing the elect with the non-elect?

We don't know who the elect are. As the great Baptist preacher Spurgeon said "We can't lift their shirts and look for a stripe that identifies one as a member of the elect. We preach the Gospel to all knowing the elect will respond." (paraphrased)

One can be elect and not yet regenerate, or one can be elect and regenerated. But the elect will always be saved because they will not die before the Holy Spirit gives them a heart of flesh, just like the thief on the cross.

The non-elect will never come to Christ because, well, they just don't want to. They will go through life thinking they are good enough, they just don't need Christ.

Election is throughout Scripture, but especially Romans 8:28-Romans 9 and in Ephesians 1.

Interesting Saint Paul knew the objections to Sovereign Grace, just like he seems to in his other writings, and answers them on Romans 9.

[Salvation]

**I was not saved as a Catholic**

Oh, yes, you were. But you might have been an infant and didn’t know it.

Baptism is the Sacrament through which every Catholic can say, “Yes, I am saved.”

However, we have free will and do sin. And I guess this is thing I don’t get about Calvinism. It seems that people think that the “elect” don’t sin.

Maybe I am wrong because I am just learning about Calvinism, but everyone has free will and can turn their back on God. I would say even those who might call themselves “the elect” might do this.

Once saved — always saved — just doesn’t seem true with human nature.

[Salvation]

How do you know for sure?

[Salvation]

I guess my point is that humans don’t think as God thinks, so this “elect” thing just doesn’t ring true to me.

[Salvation]

It’s just a dictionary and a Catholic one at that. What do you expect? Miracles? LOL!

[Salvation]

Not according to my understanding.

**The basic principles of Calvinism are set forth in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, where Calvin argues...**

This makes it sound as though these Institues of Christians Religion are a “Calvin” thing.

[Salvation]

**Election is throughout Scripture**

Election is through Scripture? Or just mentioned in Scripture?

To me, the particular judgment, at the moment I die, will let me know if I am heaven-bound (or as Calvin would phrase it “elect”, or hell-bound — or as Calvin would phrase it ?the non-elected or unelected”

[Salvation]

Doesn’t Christ always encourage EVERYONE to be heaven-bound? But as this last Sunday’s Gospel put it: unless you leave everyone and everything behind and focus only on serving the Lord with your life, you will not follow him.

He also tells us that we must carry or Cross — not a death symbol, as RNmom mentioned to me, but a symbol of the daily sufferings we go through........

[Gamecock]

Jesus said he would be in Paradise.

That made the thief, by definition, elect.

[Gamecock]

Your argument is with God. Not me

All I can do is point you back to Scripture.

Esp Romans 8:28-Romans 9 and Ephesians 1.

[Gamecock]

Doesn’t Christ always encourage EVERYONE to be heaven-bound?

Sure He does.

And the elect have ears and will hear. Jesus also said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13)

He also tells us that we must carry or Cross

Sure he does. Not sure what that has to do with election though.

[Salvation]

**Sure he does. Not sure what that has to do with election though. **

OK, let’s say you are among the “supposed” elect. But you refuse to suffer (Carry your own Cross) and instead choose assisted suicide.

To me, this person would no longer be among the “supposed elect.”

And it could happen. No such thing as pre-destination, because God always waits for the sinner. Even up to the death-bed conversions.

[Gamecock]

To me, the particular judgment, at the moment I die, will let me know if I am heaven-bound

I know.

And that is one of the sad distinctions between the Reformed and the Catholics.

We know where we are going. There is no fine print in Scripture. We are assured every Sunday that if we place our faith in Christ alone our sins, and not in our own works, we are forgiven and we are saved.

It must be hard going through life with the only assurance given to us being that we will one day die and only then find out if we measured up.

[Salvation]

And Scripture says, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

There goes the “elect” system. I am going by what Scripture says.

[Salvation]

I just thought of something else.

Does “elect” mean that you are called to heaven?

What if one refuses the call and becomes addicted to pornography, gambling, over=spending, drugs, you name it?

[Gamecock]

OK, let’s say you are among the “supposed” elect. But you refuse to suffer (Carry your own Cross) and instead choose assisted suicide.

Christ died for all sins. Past, present and future. Bible sez so.

To me, this person would no longer be among the “supposed elect.”

Fortunately, we are not the judge.

And it could happen. No such thing as pre-destination, because God always waits for the sinner. Even up to the death-bed conversions.

Predestination is in the Bible.

God waiting for EVERY sinner is not. God draws his own.

Just like any other conversion, God in the person of the Holy Spirit drives the death bed conversion.

Again, your argument is with Scripture and therefore God.

[irishtenor]

:>)

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

What Is Your Effect on the Community?

September 6th, 2010 by Monsignor Dennis Clark

1 Cor 5:1-8 / Lk 6:6-11

What is your long-term effect on the community? There’s an old saying about one rotten apple spoiling a whole barrel, and it’s true.  We can see it on a sports team, in a classroom, and even on the freeway.  The power of our good or bad example to influence the people around us is too often underrated.

In today’s epistle, St. Paul is worrying about the likely consequences of the conspicuous misbehavior of one member of the community at Corinth.  “A little yeast has its effect all through the dough,” he frets.  And he’s right.  Every one of us, no matter how small or virtually invisible, has our effect on the family.

So it’s fair to ask, what effect is our way of living, speaking, driving, working, praying, sharing or not sharing, having on the people around us?  Are we encouraging or discouraging them?  Do they walk more readily and confidently with the Lord because we are here, or do they pull away because of us?

God has given each of us great power for good in the force of our example.  How are we using that power?

[Gamecock]

***Does “elect” mean that you are called to heaven?***

In a sense, yes.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

As you see in the above, God does it all. He loves us first, He conforms us, he justifies, sanctifies and glorifies us. All we bring is our sinful lives.

***What if one refuses the call and becomes addicted to pornography, gambling, over=spending, drugs, you name it?***

See the above. God, over time will work that out in us. And it boggles the mind that at judgement we are judged rightous, because that is what we are in Christ.

I would suggest it is easy to look at the sin in others and use those as the example, but there are a myriad of sins that are referred to by Jerry Bridges as "Respectable Sins." Those are the sins that we tend to brush under the rug. White lies, telling someone what someone else did (aka gossip) etc.

As Christian should look inwards first and cry out for mercy/help on those before we start worrying about the sins of others.

[Salvation]

Where is the word “Presdestination” in the Bible?

Protestants always ask about Purgatory not being in the Bible......now how about predestination.