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.

[Aggressive Calvinist]

Okay, I read the article. It is filled with lies and odious slander.

Calvin didn't "force" anybody to do anything. The Geneva City Council as a lawful body made decisions.

Calvin did not "boast" of killing Servetus.

Servetus was executed by the civil authorities, and Calvin had zero civil office.

Calvin was not the "Pope of Geneva". A Pope (errr.....that the "Bishop of Rome") is a Romanist convention.

Calvinists believe in Presbyterianism...and there ain't no bishops or funny-hated cardinals in Calvinism.

You can read the article for yourself. It is venemous, and is stinks of the foul spirit of The Adversary.

Cheers.

[Aggressive Calvinist]

oops, I meant "funny HATTED" cardinals.

You know, those peculiar head-dressings like some character in "Mars Attacks"....

Why do they put those funny hats on their heads?...

[drstevej]

***Why do they put those funny hats on their heads?...***

They ran out of tinfoil???

[RnMomof7]

When you do not like the message attack the messenger:>)

[irishtenor]

Thank you. That was a good response.

[connectthedots]

Servetus was executed by the civil authorities, and Calvin had zero civil office.

Yeah, and the Pharises had nothing to do with the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ.

[connectthedots]

Those head-dressings are called Mitres.

[drstevej]

***Those head-dressings are called Mitres. ***

Kinda makes you wonder what a mitre saw is used for.

[Cvengr]

I agree with your concern.

I understand the grace of God to grant us efficacious grace and a common grace, but primarily as a gift for us before we have received salvation. A mechanism to 'kick start' our acceptance of things eternal.

The additional meaning,...for example if one asserts that even after salvation, acceptance of Christ, that any and all thoughts and decisions are only by His mandate, then I can understand that theology to fail in regards to glorifying Him and studies of angels.

[Aggressive Calvinist]

Thanks for the answer.

Now, here's a tougher question. Why do they wear them?

[Aggressive Calvinist]

Actually, you're correct.

If the Jews had killed Christ, they would have stoned him to death as they did St. Stephen. Remember?

Crucifixion was the Romanist form of execution.

The Romans killed the Son of God and blamed it on the Jews. Sweet trick, ain't it?

And Calvin had no authority to execute Servetus.

Cheers

[Cvengr]

"Mitres are the official "hat" of the Bishop worn whenever performing a definitely epsicopal act. Worn when in processions, at confirmations, ordinations, and when giving the blessing. It's shape is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who descended in the form of tongues of fire to rest on the heads of the apostles on the day of Pentecost."

---from http://www.aheavenlystitch.com/vestments/mitres/

[Aggressive Calvinist]

Okay...thanks. So, they wear them as "symbols" of the Holy Spirit?

It's just wardrobe and theatre, right?

It isn't necessary is it?

Like show business. They do it because they like to dress up. It's kind of fun, but it's not part of dogma, is it?

[Cvengr]

Funny, I relish and thoroughly enjoy worshipping God and studying Scripture, but I haven't found myself immersed in the prosecution and capital punishment of some 55 believers with whom I disagree on theologic issues and I haven't prosecuted another 85 without the death sentance.

When I attempt to place myself in the shoes of such an admired zealot, I find that such an endeavor must surely have taxed such a prosecutor's ability to remian steadfast in his relationship with God so as to avoid any temptation of stepping out of His guidance.

Even more noteworthy is how such an emulated personality as John Calvin found no need whatsoever to assist others around him who might not be of such stout character.

Just think, even though the law of the day mandated the accusor would be placed in custody as a check so that if the accusation was found to be false, the false accusor bore risk for his behavior, John Calvin was able to accuse and convince others to bear that risk for him. What an admirable fellow.

[connectthedots]

You have a problem understanding obvious rhetorical comments?

Being the Biblical scholor you are, do you think Pontius Pilate would have ordered the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ absent the Jews demanding that Christ be crucified? After all, Pilate found no fault with Christ that deserved crucifixtion.

What you fail to understand that ist was both the Jews and the Gentiles that killed Christ. The Jews could not have killed him on their own, and Rome would not havr killed Christ absent the demand that Pilate execute Jesus.

For you to say that Calvin bore no responsibility for the execution of Servetus is very naive or a denial of reality.

[Cvengr]

Perhaps camouflage, so those bishops not so blessed aren't as obvious to onlookers.

[Cvengr]

A few notes on the death of Christ on the Cross.

A good point was raised about a month back in these discussions, (The Passion, I believe). Jesus Christ, Himself relinquished His spirit, soul and hence death on the Cross.

This is an important point of significance.

1) A Perfect Sacrifice was performed.
2) The Jews and the Romans were both guilty of sins against Jesus Christ. They both displayed intention and omission to act when accountable to not attempt to killm falsely accuse, murder, and attack Jesus Christ.
3) Regardless of their intent, which was sinful, they did not possess power stronger than God. The crucifix and the Sacrifice was allowed to occur.
4) Death is a state of separation. Remember that this is not a situation of non-existence. Death doesn't imply nonexistence. When a believer dies now, they are are separate from the body and with the Lord. Prior to the Cross, those believers who died went to Abraham's bosom, inbelievers to the Torments. There are some finer points regarding body, soul and spirit regarding the death of Christ which aren't always discussed regarding salvation.

Simply spoken, Christ's death on the Cross provided a substitutionary atonement for sin, a perfect sacrifice, thereby fulfilling the law with respect to sin. The body returned to the earth for three days, while His Spirit was relinquished to the Father, and He descended.

He was raised up again, resurrectted in the body, and filled with the Spirit, and He communed with many until He ascended.

The fine point of significance I wish to make is that Christ in His Divinity controlled His life. He remained obedient to the Father. Even though others intended His death, they associated His death as a removal of bodily life and an association with nonexistence. A significant point is that no matter what they performed, they didn't cause a separation,....a death,...of Jesus Christ which was so significant.

I recognize that a considerable amount of theology may be rightfully studied and gleaned from a dichotomous understanding of man, but there are some richer aspects within the tricotomous view provided within Scripture.

[irishtenor]

Bad hair days?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Hope you both are safe.

[RnMomof7]

In our area it was sporadic outages, depending on who was on what grids

God was gracious and our power stayed on as did my aged mom across the border

The power is restored in Cleveland so I am trusting that xzins is OK..Check in xzins