Calvinism- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva

http://www.biblelife.org/calvinism.htm ^ | Bible Life Ministries

[Cvengr]

I suspect many believers come to the Lord by initial studies made by Calvin. I also suspect that as with many 'religions' one can begin to worship false doctrines instead of God. When one follows false doctrines, one trait similar to drunkeness occurs.

The first thing to be impaired by imbibing alcohol is the ability to recognize one is impaired.

Similarly, whenever some extreme reports are made about a system which seems rightoeus, one might consider that those following that system might have fallen off the righteous track somewhere and perhaps rather extremely.

The reports of the above website give one cause to consider if perhaps Calvin may have been Christian for a time, but fell away in his later arrogance. Even if the reports exagerrate historical fact, it's difficult to rationalize acts such as burning at the stake vs beheading or strapping a book to the victim's chest in order to make his death more painful.

Even if true, though, many tennets of Calvinism are based upon sound theology. Further doctrinal study to amplify how commonly accepted Calvinist beliefs might pave an avenue towards a backsliden condition seems prudent.

[irishtenor]

Tripe!

[Cvengr]

You are a quick reader.

Do you have a good reference which refutes the association of Calvin with the deaths of people around Geneva as reported in the article?

I ask this not to argue, but simply to study the subject.

[irishtenor]

The whole article is a slam on Calvin. Inflammatory wording is used throughout the article. This isn't history, it is a slam piece from someone with a grudge against Calvin and Calvinism.

[Cvengr]

What if it is? It still raises some valid points.

I didn't realize Calvin had actively participated in bringing numerous people to physical executions for disagreeing with Calvin's Institutes.

Even if seemingly justified, surely there is something just as remarkable to publicly aire if Calvin was justified in strapping a book to a condemned man's chest and torturing him for 30 minutes while it burns before the victim burns to death. If not, then one must at least consider that perhaps Calvin was backslidden during this period.

[lockeliberty]

The reports of the above website give one cause to consider if perhaps Calvin may have been Christian for a time, but fell away in his later arrogance. Even if the reports exagerrate historical fact, it's difficult to rationalize acts such as burning at the stake vs beheading or strapping a book to the victim's chest in order to make his death more painful. Even if true, though, many tennets of Calvinism are based upon sound theology. Further doctrinal study to amplify how commonly accepted Calvinist beliefs might pave an avenue towards a backsliden condition seems prudent.

Golly venger, these statements contradict themselves at every turn and are filled with so many qualifers that your line of reasoning becomes meaningless.

...to consider

...may have been Christian

Even if the reports exagerrate historical fact...

Even if true, though, many tennets of Calvinism are based upon sound theology...

First you imply that Calvinists "worship" false doctrines then you give an incoherent example followed by a series of statements that are qualified to the extent that the statements become meaninless and finally you produce your conclusion:

Further doctrinal study to amplify how commonly accepted Calvinist beliefs might pave an avenue towards a backsliden condition seems prudent.

Your conclusion is not a conclusion based on any facts, in fact, it is not even a conclusion. When you say: Further doctrinal study to amplify ; what you are saying is that you wish to gather more polemical arguments to bolster you hatred of Calvinism. C'mon venger. This whole article was nothing but a screed to knock down Calvin and it provide no basis in fact. I worry about your desire to relish in this sort of ad hominem attact to feed your hatred of Calvinism.

[dsc]

"Inflammatory wording is used throughout the article."

How do you describe burning people at the stake without using inflammatory wording?

The question in my mind is, are the basic facts correct?

[Wrigley]

If the basic facts are correct, but the rest is incorrect, where does that leave the piece?

IMO, it belongs in the trash can.

[Revelation 911]

wrig, cmon - I think we can at least agree that the death of servetus was unfortunate. Agreed, he was a dumbass for taunting calvin and a heretic for his anti trinitarian nonsense - but by that measure we should be hold weekly bbq's down at the Espiscopal church headquarters

[Frumanchu]

True to form...attack the man because the doctrine is a rock.

The first thing to be impaired by imbibing alcohol is the ability to recognize one is impaired.

That's a load of crap. If that were the case, I'd most likely drink myself to death. It is precisely my ability to recognize that I am becoming more 'impaired' that allows me to stop before it gets out of hand.

[jboot]

"One must first study the man, John Calvin, in order to understand the theology that has come to be called Calvinism."

There is a term for this sort of study:

As Hominem

[jboot]

Er, thats:

Ad Hominem

Must have coffee...

[Revelation 911]

It is precisely my ability to recognize that I am becoming more 'impaired' that allows me to stop before it gets out of hand.

call me a nuthook, but it sounds like a free will choice youre making

[drstevej]

***but by that measure we should be hold weekly bbq's down at the Espiscopal church headquarters ***

Do you serve white or red wine with barbequed poofster?

[drstevej]

***Since Calvinism falsely teaches that God forces the elect to believe, it is no wonder that Calvin thought he could also force the citizens of Geneva to all become the elect.***

This statement alone is sufficient to show that the author is uninterested in truth.

Do you agree with this statement, Cv?

[Revelation 911]

Servetus - the "other" white meat

.......plainly a New York white

[dsc]

"If the basic facts are correct, but the rest is incorrect, where does that leave the piece?"

If the facts are correct, it paints Calvin as an extremely unsavory individual.

By their fruits...

[Onelifetogive]

If the facts are correct, it paints Calvin as an extremely unsavory individual.

I think it is very difficult to quickly "unlearn" all of the "unsavory" habits one learn from several decades of "Catholic" education!

[fishtank]

bflr

[P-Marlowe]

This statement alone is sufficient to show that the author is uninterested in truth.

Explain.

Did not Calvin teach that God through his irresistible grace forces the elect to believe?

Did not Calvin advocate and practice forced Church membership and attendance in order to ensure that all of the citizens of Geneva were "elect"?

What is it about the statement that indicates that the author is not interested in the truth?