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.

[RnMomof7]

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.

To the Romans it was a sedition problem and they wanted to keep order in the Jewish state.

[Wrigley]

Isn't that Cincinatti?

[RnMomof7]

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.

Does every one get the same kick?

BTW I too believe salvation is initiated by Gods grace

[Dr. Eckleburg]

xzins said he was with relatives in New Jersey this morning working to fix their computer.

Hmmm.

[RnMomof7]

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.

Calvin forewarned Serveus not to come to geneva , as it was the practice of that day to burn heretics.However Serevus hopped that he could come to power in Geneva.

Sedition...

[RnMomof7]

Ummmm could be

[Cvengr]

Oh, maybe some get kicked a little differently than others, some a gentle nudge, others drop kicked, but yep,..I tend to think He's acted on us first to allow us to respond.

[RnMomof7]

Well if he was he is still I would think:>)

[RnMomof7]

Agreed that God brings us to Him with His grace

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

...Okay, fine; Homey can play dat.

OP, OP, OP, tsk,tsk, can't you ever learn to close your HTML when you Post?

< /EBONICS>

[Bat_Chemist]

You aren't suggesting...FReeper mayhem? Or perhaps miscue?

LOLOL!

[CARepubGal]

Thanks! I have to tackle the Institutes some day but am slowly working up to them. :-) Reading Sproul and Horton in the interim. :-)

[xzins]

I was gonna confess when the east coast went black, but I figured it was just me in the dark again 'bout most everything. :>0 hmmmm!

We're OK. It didn't hit middle NJ. I don't know about Newark and vicinity.

[P-Marlowe]

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.

That was indeed a very good law. Looser pays! It probably stopped a lot of heresy charges and blasphemy charges in Geneva and probably explained why Servetus was the last person to be executed for heresy in Geneva. Only someone who was really sure of himself or someone who was influential enough to convince some poor employee to stand in his place as accuser would be willing to bring such a charge.

Servetus came within a hair of being acquitted on all charges. Had he been given the right to an attorney, he would have been acquitted since the only evidence that convicted Servetus was the statements made by him when he was forced to testify as a witness against himself at his trial. Had he been acquitted it would not have been Calvin (the REAL Accuser) who would have been burned at the stake, but his loyal secretary (Calvin's "surrogate" accuser). Noble indeed.

[connectthedots]

To the Romans it was a sedition problem and they wanted to keep order in the Jewish state.

How naive, blind, or stupid, can you be? Pilate found no fault in Jesus. It was the the Jewish people who demanded Christ's crucifixtion. Pilate was fearful of sedition by the Jews, not the followers of Christ. One of the first lessons in Christian apologetics one ought to learn is that the crucifixtion of Christ required both the demand for it by the Jews and the acquiesence by the Gentiles; i.e. Romans. Without both, Christ would not have been crucified; nor would he have become the Savior of both the Jews and the Gentiles. How could this obvious fact escape any person who has studied even a little bit of scripture? I had this figured out within 30 days of becoming a Christian over 31 years ago.

[connectthedots]

Had he been given the right to an attorney, he would have been acquitted since the only evidence that convicted Servetus was the statements made by him when he was forced to testify as a witness against himself at his trial.

I find thjis interesting and wonder how many of the Calvin apologists realize that in most of the United States a confession without any other evidence or witnesses is insufficient for a conviction.

For those who are unaware, the purose is two fold. First is to prevent the use of forced confessions as the only evidence of guilt and to also prevent an 'innocent'confessor from taking the fall for the real criminal.

[Wrigley]

I find thjis interesting and wonder how many of the Calvin apologists realize that in most of the United States a confession without any other evidence or witnesses is insufficient for a conviction.

Yeah, but we aren't talking about 21st century USofA now are we?

Maybe you can bring a posthumous indictment against Calvin at the International Criminal Court?

[connectthedots]

CTD: I find thjis interesting and wonder how many of the Calvin apologists realize that in most of the United States a confession without any other evidence or witnesses is insufficient for a conviction.

Yeah, but we aren't talking about 21st century USofA now are we?

I supppose if Calvin practiced cannabalism, you would still say, "Yeah, but that was the 16th Century." This legal principle is rooted in the Magna Carta, signed well before Calvin hatched his plan to have Servertus executed.

Maybe you can bring a posthumous indictment against Calvin at the International Criminal Court?

Straw man. Why do you defend the indefensable? The times in which sins are committed are no excuse. Does the truth change with the times? If it does, then one must conclude that Nazi concentration camp guards did not sin/commit crimes when they murdered millions of Jews. Based on your logic, the Nuremburg Trials were unjust to many of those prosecuted. After all, weren't they 'just following orders'?

[Wrigley]

You have your crusade against all things Calvin. The way you're going, you may as well go for the indictment.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

In two paragraphs you manage to compare Calvin to cannabalism and the Nazis.

What's left? Ringworm and cellulite?

Calvin was the greatest of all Protestant reformers. Luther never sought to leave the Church of Rome. Wesley remained an Anglican all his life.

It was Calvin and his followers, like John Knox, who knew the necessity of returning to the church of Christ and reaffirming the sovereignty of God, not man.

ctd, I think your history with some misdirected, cold-hearted people has closed your eyes to what the reformed position really is.

If it's Total Inability/Depravity/Original Sin you challenge, you should know most Protestant faiths, as well as all Catholics, affirm it.

Calvinists are not alone in the belief that man is fallen, and only God saves.

But Calvin stands apart from many when he asserts the human experience and the pleasure that comes with a healthy, robust, productive life is good and should be enjoyed because it is all righteous and it is all of God as He intends.

"The purpose of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."