[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!

[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.

[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

[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?

[fishtank]

bflr

[AZhardliner]

This article makes a lot of accusations without much proof. It is a typical diatribe against Calvin and Calvinism. The arguements are tired, a maze of logical falacies, and lack serious scholarship. Servetus was recorgnized as a heretic by Protetstants and Cathloics and was punished according to the standards of the day. Read the primary sources and judge for yourself.
The following links may be helpful:
http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID307086|CHID560462|CIID1415586,00.html
http://members.aol.com/mariostz/christian/index.html

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[RnMomof7]

Bump

[RnMomof7]

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.

Why would you "suspect "that? Unregenerate (and many regenerate men )hate having a sovereign God.

The doctrine of the reformation was Predestination and Election. As such Arminians are not even Protestants.

It is the belief of those that follow the doctrines of Grace that it is the carnal man that worships at his own altar of "free will" (and ye shall be as gods)

It is the fallen nature of man that desires superiority of his will over Gods.

Calvinists are saved by the grace of God, not a doctrine. It is when they have finished their baby bottle and have teeth that most come to the Gospel of Grace.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

even if the reports exagerrate historical fact...

...you'll post them anyway.

Shoddy scholarship and a waste of time.

[nobdysfool]

If this were a piece written to denounce George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, or Abraham Lincoln, it would be called what it is: Yellow Journalism. This is absolute trash, bird-cage liner, and garbage. You do not even know the history of your own opposing belief, and how it was the Romanists who were behind the Arminians.

If you want the truth about Calvin, you don't go to an obvious opponent of his teachings and expect to get a fair and balanced piece.

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.

I know you meant that to be pointed at Calvinists, but it works just as well when pointed to Arminians....in fact, I'd say even better!

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.

No, the proper response is to research more carefully, not jump to conclusions. Take the beam out of your own eye before trying to remove the speck from your brother's....or did you forget that?

[newgeezer]

{ping}

(from the article) One must first study the man, John Calvin

I'm glad the author started it this way. That puts the whole thing in the correct "Dave Hunt" sort of light, doncha think? ;O)

[snerkel]

I suspect many Believers come to Christ through the reading of the Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Is it not true that before a group can be viewed as a Christian cult, they must be shown to pervert the Gospel and biblical doctrines that effect salvation sufficiently so as to void salvation?

There are three essential doctrines that are inspected when determining whether a group is Christian or a Christian cult: (1) the Deity of Christ, which involves the Trinity; (2) the physical death and resurrection; and (3) salvation by Grace alone. Can you show where Calvinists depart from these doctrines?

[P-Marlowe]

It is interesting that the whole Calvinist cabal has showed up and is up in arms about how terrible this article is, yet not one of them has offered an inteeligent critique of the article. They just say that it's trash and its biased and its inaccurate. But thus far they have offered nothing in the realm of a specific critique of the facts presented or the conclusions drawn.

[A.J.Armitage]

The article misses two crucial points:

1) John Calvin liked to eat babies.

2) Calvinists always torture kittens.

[fortheDeclaration]

Amen to your post!