[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.

[Cvengr]

Sorry, I've been away and haven't replied to the thread I began,...I'll try to play catchup now that I've read the responses.

Just for the record, my intent was not to convolute or initiate contrived arguments, but instead tender an opposing viewpoint of what might be perceived as a myopic 'pro-Calvinist' viewpoint in many recent threads which use the name of Calvin in greater preponderance than simply faithfulness to God.

[Cvengr]

I'll simplify my position.

Many statements of Calvin are Christian.

I don't know if Calvin was Christian or not. That's an issue to be discerned by God.

I can discern many of Calvin's statements to be true with Scripture.

I also discern many events surrounding and directly associated with Calvin as grossly un or anti-Christian.

If Calvin was Christian and unerring in his actions and beliefs associated with the 50+ to 130+ executions and excommunications during his involvement of those trials, then surely the actions of placing a book on the body of the condemned man, and inducing a concurrent torture with the execution of the condemned should be publicly known and as widely reported as the execution of Servetus.

Even more prolific should the reports on how a condemned man will manifest a public dedication to Jesus Christ when no other hope exists, and yet those who executed the condemned man not be held accountable for the murder of a fellow Christian.

I have not seen these arguments. To the contrary, I suspect a more viable explanation exists in the faults of those who sought his death and torture.

This position should not be confused to promote any one theology over another, but rather to first place faith in God.

This leads me to recognize even Calvin himself either fell away from faith or was unable to master his theology or began worshipping himself and his own constructs more than he worshipped God.

[Cvengr]

I have no hatred for Calvinism, although I disagree with many extreme arguments some Calvinists might imply while ignoring other theological positions derived from Scripture which would argue against their positions.