Post by Dr James Ach on Jul 30, 2013 21:47:52 GMT 3
I have recently pondered a new argument against Calvinism. It is regarding the Calvinist belief that God controls all things based upon predestination and sovereignty, and the lack of uniformity among Calvinists and John Calvin's own beliefs.
My theory is that if God forced salvation against our wills, and Jesus affirmed that if any man will do His will he shall KNOW of the doctrine, then would it make sense that God would impose salvation, but not uniformity in doctrine among Calvinists? If God forces salvation, then why wouldn't He logically force ones belief system? If God is the author of sin, He would be the author of heresy as well.
There is no uniformity among Calvinists as to sovereignty, TULIP, eschatology, and I see that as a flaw in the entire system of Calvinism if God's sovereignty dictates all future actions against the will of man and even nature itself. How could God control their salvation, and not control their belief in baby sprinkling, amillennialism, not to mention that Calvin was a murderer.
Although Reformed theology attempts to distance itself from John Calvin, if such sovereignty is accurate even according to the Reformist views, there should not have even been a disagreement from Calvin to Reformed Theology.
Maybe this isn't new, and I simply haven't found any other discourse on it, but would love to your thoughts on this approach.
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This is my initial thesis on the matter about the uniformity of belief
According to Calvinist determinism God could establish everyone's belief system if He wanted to. That much must be admitted by the honest Calvinist. Therefore:
THE CALVINIST UNIFORMITY CONUNDRUM
1. God can determine belief systems and cause uniformity among believers if He wanted to.
2. God wants uniformity among believers. Philippians 2:2-5
3. God determines all things, and God especially determines all things that He wants.
4. Therefore all belief systems of the elect should be uniform and all Calvinists of one mind.
Subjectively, the arrogance of the Calvinists proves that they themselves believe that all belief systems should be uniform. The fact that they consistently condescend to anyone that does not agree with is proof of that. Calvinists themselves argue for uniformity of belief.
If a Calvinist was honest with his theology, he would say that all who disagree with him are not saved. After all, if "Calvinism IS the gospel" then anyone who disagrees with it is not saved. Mark 1:15 ("Repent and believe the gospe]")
So even in a Calvinists own attempt to convince others of their position, if the Calvinist wholeheartedly believes he is right, then he is effectually arguing that uniformity of beliefs are predetermined. If the Calvinist does not admit this, he would have to admit there's a possibility that he could be wrong, but if there is a possibility he could be wrong, then that would cast doubt on his election, because 1 Peter 1:4 says to make your calling and election SURE.
Not all Calvinists are uniform. Not all Reformers are uniform. Reformers won't readily admit they are Calvinists and Calvinists won'd admit they are Augustinians.
The lack of uniformity in the belief system of Calvinism according to Calvinist determinism destroys the entire system. The Calvinist must either admit that God can NOT determine all things, or that God does not WANT to detemine all things, or that He does NOT determine all things to escape the conundrum
My theory is that if God forced salvation against our wills, and Jesus affirmed that if any man will do His will he shall KNOW of the doctrine, then would it make sense that God would impose salvation, but not uniformity in doctrine among Calvinists? If God forces salvation, then why wouldn't He logically force ones belief system? If God is the author of sin, He would be the author of heresy as well.
There is no uniformity among Calvinists as to sovereignty, TULIP, eschatology, and I see that as a flaw in the entire system of Calvinism if God's sovereignty dictates all future actions against the will of man and even nature itself. How could God control their salvation, and not control their belief in baby sprinkling, amillennialism, not to mention that Calvin was a murderer.
Although Reformed theology attempts to distance itself from John Calvin, if such sovereignty is accurate even according to the Reformist views, there should not have even been a disagreement from Calvin to Reformed Theology.
Maybe this isn't new, and I simply haven't found any other discourse on it, but would love to your thoughts on this approach.
*******************
This is my initial thesis on the matter about the uniformity of belief
According to Calvinist determinism God could establish everyone's belief system if He wanted to. That much must be admitted by the honest Calvinist. Therefore:
THE CALVINIST UNIFORMITY CONUNDRUM
1. God can determine belief systems and cause uniformity among believers if He wanted to.
2. God wants uniformity among believers. Philippians 2:2-5
3. God determines all things, and God especially determines all things that He wants.
4. Therefore all belief systems of the elect should be uniform and all Calvinists of one mind.
Subjectively, the arrogance of the Calvinists proves that they themselves believe that all belief systems should be uniform. The fact that they consistently condescend to anyone that does not agree with is proof of that. Calvinists themselves argue for uniformity of belief.
If a Calvinist was honest with his theology, he would say that all who disagree with him are not saved. After all, if "Calvinism IS the gospel" then anyone who disagrees with it is not saved. Mark 1:15 ("Repent and believe the gospe]")
So even in a Calvinists own attempt to convince others of their position, if the Calvinist wholeheartedly believes he is right, then he is effectually arguing that uniformity of beliefs are predetermined. If the Calvinist does not admit this, he would have to admit there's a possibility that he could be wrong, but if there is a possibility he could be wrong, then that would cast doubt on his election, because 1 Peter 1:4 says to make your calling and election SURE.
Not all Calvinists are uniform. Not all Reformers are uniform. Reformers won't readily admit they are Calvinists and Calvinists won'd admit they are Augustinians.
The lack of uniformity in the belief system of Calvinism according to Calvinist determinism destroys the entire system. The Calvinist must either admit that God can NOT determine all things, or that God does not WANT to detemine all things, or that He does NOT determine all things to escape the conundrum