I was not referring to you (I've read your church's doctinal statement and found little with which to disagree), but one could hardly dispute the fact that there are those who accept everything Calvin says strictly on faith; i.e., if Calvin said it, it must be true.
Leave your hatred behind.
I don't hate Calvin or Calvinism. I simply think 'Total Depravity' and 'Unconditional Election' as propounded by many Calvinists is not Biblical. I have noted that Calvin was not at the Synod of Dort (he had been dead for many years when that meeting was conducted), so it would not be fair to credit/blame Calvin for its results. I have also stated that many Calvinists seem to have 'out Calvined' Calvin. How is recognizing that some Calvinists have misinterpreted or misconstrued some of Calvin's writing 'hatred'. If anything, it is offering a bit of a defense for Calvin the person and some of his writings.
While I may disagree with Calvin on predestination, and especially unconditional election, at least Calvin admitted that he was troubled by his conclusions concerning predestination as it applies to the eternal salvation or condemnation of individuals. It seems to me that Calvin was not so sure opf himself. How is this exprseeing a 'hatred' for Calvinism?
Horsefeathers -- despite all your shuckin' and jivin', despite any disagreements at the margins between Calvinist Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Reformed Baptists, calvinist credobaptists and Amyrauldians (hey, steve -- I can see your house from here!), there is one absolutely-central point of Agreement which Calvin preached, which Calvinists preach, and which undergirds all your opposition to Calvin and Calvinists:
This is the cornerstone of the entire debate, and for all your smoke and mirrors, you know full well that you'd have little major theological objection to Calvin and Calvinists if we would just give up that one point. Because that one point is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which you oppose.
Your opposition to Calvinism boils down to this one, foundational cornerstone -- Calvinists are preaching the Gospel that Jesus Preached (John 3:3). Because you oppose that Gospel, you oppose Calvinism -- not for any other major reason at all.
Simple as that, really.