Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Response to: Calvinism- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva ^ | August 13, 2003 | OP

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Introduction: the Anti-Predestinarian Syllogism

In debates between Reformation Protestants and Arminian neo-Protestants, it is common for Arminians to invoke a peculiar and logically-fallacious syllogism in an effort to deflect attention from the evidentiary insurmountability of the Biblical Case for Reformation Protestantism. This syllogism is constructed in the form of a classic ad hominem Guilt-by-Association argument, according to the following general Form:

• Assertion 1: One of the principal advovates of Reformation Protestantism, John Calvin of Geneva, "murdered" one Michael Servetus on the charge of Blasphemy, etc.
• Assertion 2: John Calvin never Repented this "murder".
• Assertion 3: Ergo, John Calvin was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore his doctrines must be rejected.

Needless to say, it makes little impression upon the Arminian neo-Protestant that the Doctrines of Absolute Predestination were believed by Godly Christians for centuries before Calvin (i.e., 10th-15th Century Waldensian CredoBaptists, the 6th-9th Century Presbyters of Iona, the 4th-10th Century Ambrosian Catholics, Saint Augustine, the Apostles, Jesus Christ Himself, etc). What matters is the argumentative usefulness of being able to lay this charge to the particular account of John Calvin, and thus evade the theological defeat of the UnBiblical Arminian systematic heresy by re-framing the debate as a mud-throwing competition directed against one particular Reformer.

Now, before we proceed, we should observe: the Arminian neo-Protestant assertions against Calvin are not borne out by the Facts of History in the first place.

Uncomfortable Facts about Michael Servetus

Michael Servetus was:

A Criminal Foreign Insurrectionist,
Preaching that Trinitarians should be murderously liquidated as a Class,
Who was warned for weeks to leave Geneva, and refused,
Seeking the Overthrow of the Genevan Constitution,
In Conspiracy with Insurrectionist Elements within Geneva,
Towards a Re-Establishment of the sort of Anti-Trinitarian Reich,
Which had so bloodily and viciously terrorized Munster not long before.

In point of History, Michael Servetus was executed as a matter of State Punishment, as sentenced by the Civil Council of Geneva – which itself was controlled at the time by Calvin’s political enemies, the Libertines. In fact, as the Libertine Party itself rejected Calvin’s doctrine of Predestination, it is more historically accurate to say that Servetus was killed by the Anti-Predestinarian “protestants”, than to attribute the deed to Calvin (who at any rate pleaded for a more merciful execution “by the Sword”, rather than the slow burning-to-death on which the vicious Anti-Predestinarians insisted).

Be that as it may, however, it needs be asked – if it is appropriate for Arminian neo-Protestants to employ such a Syllogism against the Reformer John Calvin, is it not equally appropriate to measure by the same standard the heretical Schismatic who, perhaps more than any other single man, was fundamentally responsible for sundering the Godly unity of Reformation Protestantism into a thousand confused and competing sects – James Arminius? To that Question we now turn:

Arminius – his teachings on Politics, Religion, and the Sword of the State

The State is the Absolute Sovereign over all Natural and Spiritual affairs of Man:
The end of the institution of magistracy, is the good of the whole, and of each individual of which it is composed, both an animal [or natural] good, "that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives;" and a spiritual good, that they may live in this world, to God, and may in heaven enjoy that good, to the glory of God who is its author. For since man, according to his two-fold life, (that is, the animal and the spiritual,) stands in need of each kind of good, and is, by nature of the image of God, capable of both kinds; since two collateral powers cannot stand, and since animal good is directed to that which is spiritual, and animal life is subordinate to that which is spiritual, it is unlawful to divide those two benefits, and to separate their joint superintendence, either in reality or by the administration of the supreme authority; for, if the animal life and its good become the only objects of solicitude, such an administration is that of cattle. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority under Heaven, concerning both Natural and Spiritual matters, is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The chief magistrate is not correctly denominated political or secular, because those epithets are opposed to the ecclesiastical and spiritual power. In the hands and at the disposal of the chief magistrate is placed, under God, the supreme and sovereign power of caring and providing for his subjects, and of governing them, with respect to animal and spiritual life. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

It is the sole and absolute duty of the State to enforce all Ten Commandments, and to enact all laws both civil and ecclesiastical, and to eradicate all Evil from society.


The matter, of which this administration consists, are the acts necessary to produce that end. These actions, we comprehend in the three following classes: The first is Legislation, under which we also comprise the care of the moral law, according to both tables, and the enacting of subordinate laws with respect to places, times and persons, by which laws, provision may be the better made for the observance of that immovable law, and the various societies, being restricted to certain relations, may be the more correctly governed; that is, ecclesiastical, civil, scholastic and domestic associations. The second contains the vocation to delegated offices or duties, and the oversight of all actions and things which are necessary to the whole society. The third is either the eradication of all evils out of the society, if they be internal, or the warding of them off, if they be external, even with war, if that be necessary, and the safety of society should require it. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority over the Christian Church is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The care of religion has been committed by God to the chief magistrate, more than to priests and to ecclesiastical persons. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)
Because this power is pre eminent, we assert that every soul is subject to it by divine right, whether he be a layman or a clergyman, a deacon, priest, or bishop, an archbishop, cardinal, or patriarch, or even the Roman pontiff himself; so that it is the duty of every one to obey the commands of the magistrate, to acknowledge his tribunal, to await the sentence, and to submit to the punishment which he may award. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

The Utter Subjection of all Human life, whether natural or spiritual, to the Dictates of the Absolute State should be “terrified and compelled” by the Power of the Sword:


The form is the power itself, according to which these functions themselves are discharged, with an authority that is subject to God alone, and pre-eminently above whatever is human; for this inspires spirit and life, and gives efficacy to these functions. It is enunciated "power by right of the sword," by which the good may be defended, and the bad terrified, restrained and punished, and all men compelled to perform their prescribed duties. To this power, as supreme, belongs the authority of demanding, from those under subjection, tribute, custom, and other burdens. These resemble the sinews, by which the authority and power necessary for these functions, are held together and established. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

Phew.... Thank God that America was founded primarily by convinced Calvinists, and not Arminians. Moving along, though, let us now apply the Arminian's Favorite Syllogism -- to Arminius himself.

Arminius at the Bar of the Arminian Syllogism:

• Fact 1: James Arminius, (in addition to being a proto-Stalinist) advocated Murder by the State over religious matters -- the same charge that Arminians lay to the account of John Calvin. (It may be objected that Arminius never actually murdered anyone. Neither did John Calvin, for that matter; but the fact remains that Arminius advocated State-Murder in his mind and heart -- and per Matthew 5, it's the thought that counts as much as the act).
• Fact 2: James Arminius never repented his advocacy of State-Murder; he went to his grave espousing the Absolute Power of the State to compel obedience by the Sword in all matters, natural and spiritual.
• Conclusion: Ergo, James Arminius was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore anyone who believes Arminian doctrines, believes Un-Christian Doctrines.

Hmmmm. Howzabout that.

[connectthedots]

2 weeks ago I meet a Methodist minister who confessed that he is moving towards TULIP.

I know at least 75 people who were once members of a CRC who left for more evengelical churches that were more Arminian in viewpoint than Calvinistic. One older gentleman put it this way, "I was raised CRC, but then thank God I got saved." His point was that prior to about age 45, he had never heard a salvation message is any of the CRCs he faithfully attended for so many years. He heard lots of messages on Calvinism to be sure, but the knowledge of Calvinism has not saved a single soul.

[drstevej]

Your whole question presupposes a temporal order with regeneration prior in time to faith. Demonstrate your premise biblically then we can discuss it.

If you can not demonstrate your premise biblically, your point is irrelevant.

[CCWoody]

The last the Zenmeister and I talked, he was also a believer in the Penal Substituation Atonement.

Woody.

[P-Marlowe]

It's all a part of something called "The New Covenant." Opens the door for we unclean non-Jews

A Covenant is a contract. One party does his part and the other party does their part. In this case Man repents and believes and God regenerates and forgives. The condition precedent to God's act of regeneration is the requirement that man must first repent and believe.

Since man is seperated from God by sin and since God, being holy, cannot tolerate or accept sin in his presence, then it would be impossible for man to enter into God's presence or to have fellowship with God unless and until his sins have been forgiven. Forgiveness comes only after repentance and thus the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cannot occur until God has first sanctified his temple. Regeneration occurs when God indwells us. Since God cannot indwell us while we are sinners, we must first repent and believe before the transformation can occur.

Calvinism assumes that it is possible for God to indwell a sinner who has not yet repented. Calvinism thus makes the cross irrelevant.

[drstevej]

***Calvinism assumes that it is possible for God to indwell a sinner who has not yet repented. ***

Baloney. Still waiting your scripture, counselor!

[CARepubGal]

Being a 100% celibate group does have its disadvantages. Nice furniture while they lasted though. :-)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Thanks for the kind words. But for myself, any "grace" I might exhibit is hindered by my spotty historical knowledge, which thankfully is in glorious surplus in OP and others.

I'm still in the embryonic feelings stage of faith, whereby I've been stunned and humbled and forced to my knees by the cataclysmic realization that it really is all of God.

Once you cast aside the notion of independent "free will," all that's left is God, everywhere and forever.

The awareness that God directs the show entirely as He wills seems to me to be the true starting point for any spiritual growth.

All the rest is epilogue.

[Corin Stormhands]

Let me put it this way. You and some of your cohorts don't consider us Wesleyan-Arminians to be "believers." Your chart spells that out. That pretty much renders anything else you have to say to me irrelevant.

And that's why I won't play your reindeer games anymore.

[xzins]

I put great store in husbands and wives doing a bit of snuggling.

You construct less furniture. But you get far more use out of the furniture you have.

:>)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

So Xzins, are you now an Amyraldian? 171 posted on 08/16/2003 9:40 AM PDT by drstevej

Let us pray to God, and hope so. It would be an enormous improvement.

~~ (OP, the rigidly-unforgiving Presbyterian Absolutist who is far-too-tolerant of these presumptuous 4-Point Amyrauldians who dare to claim Calvin for themselves -- according to my reputation, I think I am supposed to be lighting you on fire about now)....

[xzins]

I, too, am saddened that many don't consider a believer to be a believer just because he also holds Arminian understandings.

I don't think ALL Arminians are Christian; nor do I think all Calvinists are Christian. The parable of the sower and the parable of the tares both testify to that.

[P-Marlowe]

If you can not demonstrate your premise biblically, your point is irrelevant.

Nice dodge. If YOU cannot demonstrate biblically how God can regenerate a man before he believes and repents, then Calvinism is irrelevant.

Is there a separation between God and man because of sin? Is not repentance a pre-requisite for forgiveness? How then can a man be regenerated while he is yet a sinner? Is he forgiven before he repents? Scripture please.

[xzins]

See #174.

I believe that there is a problem with traditional understandings of both calvinism and arminianism. DrSteveJ's airplane explanation is a great example, and if it's an example of amyraldianism, then that gives the amyr's a leg up, imho.

[CARepubGal]

LOLOL! How true. And isolation from the world may make nice furniture but it does not do much to spread the Word of God does it? ;-)

[P-Marlowe]

Baloney.

At what point does God indwell a person? After they believe? If so, then what is regeneration? Scripture please.

Do we become a new creation in Christ before we believe or after we believe? Does God indwell us before we believe or after we believe? Scripture please.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Let me put it this way. You and some of your cohorts don't consider us Wesleyan-Arminians to be "believers." Your chart spells that out. That pretty much renders anything else you have to say to me irrelevant. And that's why I won't play your reindeer games anymore.

If you subscribed to DouglasKC's version of "Binitarianism", I'd call your beliefs a Heresy also, and urge you to Repent them. Nothing Personal -- just Truth and Charity.

Rather than simply admit that Arminianism is, in fact, HERETIKOS -- the false doctrine of "Human ability to choose", as defined by the Ancient Christian Church -- you prefer to pretend that this is personal (even though we both know, it's not).

In short, you'd rather falsely and unchristianly accuse me of attacking you personally (which I have not done), than dare to confront the HERETIKOS nature of Arminianism as defined by the Greek Terminology of the Early Christian Church.

That's why you won't play Reindeer Games, anymore.

[lockeliberty]

I am toying with the idea of "specified intervention" in which God HAS ALREADY PLANNED where to intervene. I don't know anyone else writing on that subject. Do you?

Here's a chart of the of the differing systems and their beliefs about God's knowledge and free-will. I'm not certain he got all the categories correct. If you read the sermon he basically posits what you are thinking. As usual, the resulting outcomes depend mainly upon if one presupposes a libertarian or a volitional free-will. I see a lot of holes in his theory.

[CCWoody]

Not completely there yet. Of course, she does confess that being born of God comes first just like the Bible exactly tells us. She actually had this confession before I did. LOL!

I also have the leader of the other usher team on the verge of a 5-Point confession. You see, I'm going for the leaders first.

Woody.

[drstevej]

What is it about the word simultaneous that is so complicated for you?

Logical order
Logical order
Logical order
Logical order
Logical order
Logical order

Before AND After miss the point.

[CCWoody]

2 weeks ago I meet a Methodist minister who confessed that he is moving towards TULIP. ~ Gamecock

It almost sounds as if the Lord introducing we Calvinists as a kind of anti-virus to help stamp out the horrible liberalism within the Methodist church.

Woody.