How is historic Calvinism different from Arminianism, Orthodox, & Catholic theology?

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Chesterton

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I think you'd first have to lay out exactly what "historic Calvinism" is, because from my experience I get various explanations to various questions about what Calvinism really means.
 
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heymikey80

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Say, Canons of Dordt? How about the Westminster Confession? These are two relatively allied positions on historic Calvinism, with some differences (they're about 30 years apart in history), but I doubt there's much to get entangled in their differences.
 
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Chesterton

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Say, Canons of Dordt? How about the Westminster Confession? These are two relatively allied positions on historic Calvinism, with some differences (they're about 30 years apart in history), but I doubt there's much to get entangled in their differences.

I don't think we have any "hyper-Orthodox". ;)

(But if we do, I suggest they try Ritalin.)
 
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PT Calvinist

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I think you'd first have to lay out exactly what "historic Calvinism" is, because from my experience I get various explanations to various questions about what Calvinism really means.
As the Wiki states it:-
Historic Calvinism:
Also known as reformed theology, is a movement within orthodox Protestantism that was developed by John Calvin (1509-1564), a French theologian. John Calvin was eight years old when Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis. Calvin and Luther never met.

Calvin was a lawyer who later became a Pastor in Geneva, Switzerland. He was married in 1539.

Calvin produced many commentaries on various books of the Bible, but he is best known for his seminal work known as The Institutes of the Christian Religion, a marvelous work expounding Christian theology, which he published at the age of 26.

The system of Calvinism adheres to a very high view of scripture and seeks to derive its theological formulations based solely on God's word. It focuses on God's sovereignty, stating that God is able and willing by virtue of his omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence, to do whatever He desires with His creation. It also maintains that within the Bible are the following teachings: That God, by His sovereign grace predestines people into salvation; that Jesus died only for those predestined; that God regenerates the individual to where he is then able and wants to choose God; and that it is impossible for those who are redeemed to lose their salvation.

Arminianism, on the other hand, maintains that God predestined, but not in an absolute sense. Rather, He looked into the future to see who would pick him and then He chose them. Jesus died for all peoples' sins who have ever lived and ever will live, not just the Christians. Each person is the one who decides if he wants to be saved or not. And finally, it is possible to lose your salvation (some arminians believe you cannot lose your salvation).

Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God and his eternal decrees which he is ordained, whatsoever shall come to pass. Calvinists take the Bible very seriously and try to harmonize all its concepts. It teaches monergism, that salvation is accomplished in God's work alone, and that nothing occurs in the world except that God has given permission. Some critics have maintained that Calvinism makes God the author of evil, but Calvinists are quick to deny such an accusation and teach that God is sovereign even over the forces of evil and that he uses evil within his eternal plan for the world and mankind: "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur," (Acts 4:27-28)
 
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simonthezealot

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Dordt seems to be the clearest in my view.

Calvinism compared to the rest in my view is much sounder scripturally as a whole.

The documentary "amazing grace" on the history of reformed theology is an awesome learning tool to compare the calvin philosophy against the others.
 
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simonthezealot

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heymikey80

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I don't think we have any "hyper-Orthodox". ;)

(But if we do, I suggest they try Ritalin.)
Calvinists don't have any hyper-calvinists, either. They're considered a heresy of the Canons of Dordt just as much as Arminians are.

I've connected with some people on this forum that seem pretty obsessive when it comes to Orthodoxy, too: to the point of a pretty fanciful view of the unity of doctrine. Maybe I should point them to your suggestion of Ritalin? :pray:
 
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heymikey80

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well there is Sola Scripture, that seperates it from the more apostolic branches of the Christian faith
At what point do either the Canons or the Confession deviate from the more apostolic branches of the Christian faith? Keeping in mind that the actual Apostolic church was at first based on the teachings of the Apostles themselves, Calvinism might assert its adherence to those teachings would be "more apostolic".
 
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LittleLambofJesus

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At what point do either the Canons or the Confession deviate from the more apostolic branches of the Christian faith? Keeping in mind that the actual Apostolic church was at first based on the teachings of the Apostles themselves, Calvinism might assert its adherence to those teachings would be "more apostolic".
Hi heymikey.
How does Calvinism deviate from the RC and EO Apostolic teachings if any?

And how much of Calvinism does the EO and RCC apspire to or embrace and how much of it it doesn't? Thanks :wave:
 
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Rhamiel

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At what point do either the Canons or the Confession deviate from the more apostolic branches of the Christian faith? Keeping in mind that the actual Apostolic church was at first based on the teachings of the Apostles themselves, Calvinism might assert its adherence to those teachings would be "more apostolic".
i just thought we could use the common usage for the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches
 
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jckstraw72

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Orthodoxy believes in free will and that Christ died for all men, and ultimately for the restoration of all of creation. It is also synergistic and sees salvation in terms of this relationship rather than in juridical terms.
 
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LittleLambofJesus

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Orthodoxy believes in free will and that Christ died for all men, and ultimately for the restoration of all of creation. It is also synergistic and sees salvation in terms of this relationship rather than in juridical terms.
How does that view differ from Roman Catholicism?
And how much of Calvinism does the RCC embrace and dismiss? Thanks :wave:
 
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PT Calvinist

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How does that view differ from Roman Catholicism?
And how much of Calvinism does the RCC embrace and dismiss? Thanks :wave:
It dosen't embrace the TULIP to my knowledge...If it is close to any representation of the 5- points, it most likely transitions them into a Catholic perspective which would warp it's original intentions.
 
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