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.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Now, we can either discuss the actual Teachings of the Bible (in which case, the Arminians will lose); or, if the Arminians prefer (as they usually do), we can debate the persons of John Calvin and James Arminius.

In which case, they will also lose.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

RnMomof7 requested in FReepMail that I write up a short response to those Arminians who continue to insist of exchanging discussions of Christian Theology, for their favorite ad hominem guilt by association smears.

So, I wrote up a short response.

[irishtenor]

Bravo, bravo!!

[Gamecock]

Bump for later read

[drstevej]

Well stated... and with the trademark OP sense of humor.

I will both bookmark this and save it.

Never can tell when the Calvin haters will start a flame war to try to get a thread pulled that debunks their favorite method of avoiding the content of Calvin's teaching.

[drstevej]

Servetus Charbroil Ping

[CCWoody]

Hmmmm. Howzabout that. ~ OP

ROTFLMAO! Hung by their own tongue.

Woody.

P.S. This toast is for you: May our beer not run out, nor our marshmallows, until Arminius is finished burning!

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Well stated....

That's not yours to judge. I appreciate your kind sentiments, but this is a Thread about Religion, and you're just an ordained Baptist minister, after all. Haven't you heard:

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)

Now, perhaps if you were someone more qualified to rule over affairs of Religion -- say, a Politician, for example -- I might be able to accept your compliment. But as it is....

Sorry, Steve. No offense.

[drstevej]

Actually, I am an ordained non-denominational minster.

***Now, perhaps if you were someone more qualified to rule over affairs of Religion -- say, a Politician, for example -- I might be able to accept your compliment. But as it is....***

Hillary & Arminius in 2008

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

P.S. This toast is for you: May our beer not run out, nor our marshmallows, until Arminius is finished burning!

Shhh.... keep this next one just between us...

I actually do not presume as a given that Arminius was not a Christian -- albeit he was, at least, a very bad one. Mainly, this post is intended:
A.) To illustrate the complete sophistry of Arminian ad hominem tactics; and...
B.) To demonstrate that if they wish to persist therein... Okay, fine; Homey can play dat.

After all, we Calvinists must always remember to be charitable enough to admit our opponent's worthwhile qualities. So, in fairness to James Arminius, it behooves us to admit -- though his Politics were virtually Stalinist, he did at least have excellent taste in Literature.

Next to the study of the Scriptures which I earnestly inculcate, I exhort my pupils to peruse Calvin's Commentaries, which I extol in loftier terms than Helmich himself; for I affirm that he excels beyond comparison in the interpretation of Scripture, and that his commentaries ought to be more highly valued than all that is handed down to us by the library of the Fathers; so that I acknowledge him to have possessed above most others -- or rather, above all other men -- what may be called an eminent spirit of prophecy. -- James Arminius, on one of his better days.

[CCWoody]

Shhh.... keep this next one just between us... ~ OP

Absolutely! After all, there is a code of honor among drinking buddies. Now, would you kindly pass the chocolate. My marshmallow is almost ready.

Woody.

[irishtenor]

Why don't you ping to the "dark" side :>) (That's a grin, guys)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Actually, I am an ordained non-denominational minster.

Sorry, my bad... rather than Baptist, though, I could have said "credobaptist" minister. That works, right?

I only recently encountered the term "credobaptist" -- from a Presbyterian source, no less -- and I've come to like it very much as a more accurate description than "anabaptist". For after all, excepting Strict Immersionists, not all credobaptists (jude24, for example) would necessarily insist upon the rebaptism of an adult convert who had been baptized into the Faith by affusion or aspersion, but all credobaptists do believe in the receipt of a "profession of faith" prior to Baptism. Hence, "Credo"-"Baptist", but not in every case "Re-Baptizer". In addition, the term "credobaptist" (while intrinsically more accurate) also allows for a useful definitional distinction between Baptistic Christians, and the unitarian "anabaptists" of Munster and the like -- who, rejecting as they did all Trinitarian Baptisms (Reformed, Catholic, and Orthodox), insisted upon "re-baptism" into their heretical religions. Makes sense, no?

Now, perhaps if you were someone more qualified to rule over affairs of Religion -- say, a Politician, for example...
Hillary & Arminius in 2008

LOL. Yes, quite. She is Liberal-Methodist, after all. ;-)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Why don't you ping to the "dark" side :>) (That's a grin, guys) 12 posted on 08/13/2003 9:18 PM PDT by irishtenor

They're currently fuming over the loss of their favorite argument. Trust me... if they had something to say, they'd speak up.

They'll be here soon enough... but give 'em a moment to recuperate. Read what Arminius wrote. Just read it. If you had to jump on a thread and defend that, wouldn't you take a couple of your "Time-Outs" before the next huddle?

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - read later - Calvinism

[irishtenor]

Huddle up, guys... Ok, the end around didn't work. What else can we do. What? I know the only thing we have left is a 'Hail Mary', but we can't use that... :>) (Just helping them with their arguements)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Bookmarking it before I even read it.

How's that for a compliment?

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Bookmarking it before I even read it. How's that for a compliment?

Probably well beyond my worth...
But, I'd say that this is one of my better short pieces.

Purely Apologetic, and distracting me from the larger Theological pieces which still I need to write (condensation of amillenial readings of Revelation of John, and Double-Predestinarian analyses of the Council of Orange, here I come!! eventually...)...

...however, it needed to be said at the moment. ;-)

best, op

[CARepubGal]

Will you tackle the Institutes? This was quite enlightening and informative.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Anyone interested in pursuing the starting of a Reformed Episcopal Church, go to my web site for additional information

My youngest brother is Reformed Episcopalian.

We Calvinist Presbyterians, as you know, build most of our bridges with Calvinist Baptists. It's a good and healthy alliance; we're probably the closest of the Reformed Communions.

But I do wish there were more Reformed Episcopalians running around. We Calvinist Presbyterians and Calvinist Baptists get along fairly well, and I don't think that either of our denominations is likely to adopt the aristocratic ecclesiology of Bishops and Episcopacy -- but as a Publik-Skooled Kid, I cannot deny that I envy my younger brother his study of Latin and Greek and Logic and Rhetoric, as required courses in his Reformed Episcopalian Academy. It's almost like what Christian Academy was meant to be... aside from the rest of the Episcopal Church.

Pity there's so few of you. God bless....

best, op