Calvinistic Worldview

[Ioustinos]

Hi folks!

In your opinion can Calvinism lead to a fatalistic/deterministic worldview? If so, how do you guard against this or teach others to keep from falling into this perspective?


Thanks

Jesaiah

 

[Jon_]

Hi folks!

In your opinion can Calvinism lead to a fatalistic/deterministic worldview? If so, how do you guard against this or teach others to keep from falling into this perspective?


Thanks

Jesaiah

Honestly, I don't think you can fall into a fatalistic worldview if you truly accept the principles of Reformed Theology. In fact, I think that it's far more encouraging than any other doctrine. Think about it. In light of all things, you are absolutely worthless but for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. That you have been elected from the many to be a part of the few for no other reason than because God exercised his divine prerogative and graced you where others were not graced is the most amazing thing ever. That is the awesome promise of the gift of grace. That you are completely powerless to change your own life of your own accord is a blessing, not a curse!

Take it from me, a Nazarene by birth, the doctrine of Arminianism is a stifling, burdensome doctrine of fear and compunction. It is not a doctrine of joy and peace. The principles of Calvinism are true, and they are wholly rooted in scripture. We know this to be true because of the bountiful fruits that the doctrine produces in those that have been enabled to receive its wisdom. Praise be to the Holy Spirit that he has so enabled us where so many have yet to receive this wisdom. We are few among many who are few among many!

 

[Knight]

Hi folks!

In your opinion can Calvinism lead to a fatalistic/deterministic worldview? If so, how do you guard against this or teach others to keep from falling into this perspective?


Thanks

Jesaiah

I think you're going to have to explain exactly how a "Calvinistic worldview" can lead to fatalism.

 

[Irishcat922]

Calvinism always teaches human responsibility, So, no true Calvinist could be a fatalist. Fatalism, determinism, has long been a charicature of Calvinism, but not the truth.

 

[Ioustinos]

I think you're going to have to explain exactly how a "Calvinistic worldview" can lead to fatalism.

Hi Knight!

What I meant by my question was do you think that it one can fall into a fatalistic/deterministic worldview through calvinism? Someone who takes predestination and runs with it by then believing that all things are therefore predestined and that they have no choice in the matter. Does that help clarify?

I am not saying that this is the result of Calvinism but rather is this a possiblity? Does it happen in churches that calvinsim is taught and if so how is this guarded against by the leadership, so that the teachings of Calvin are not misinterpreted?

Jesaiah

 

[CalvinOwen]

Hi Knight!

What I meant by my question was do you think that it one can fall into a fatalistic/deterministic worldview through calvinism? Someone who takes predestination and runs with it by then believing that all things are therefore predestined and that they have no choice in the matter. Does that help clarify?

I am not saying that this is the result of Calvinism but rather is this a possiblity? Does it happen in churches that calvinsim is taught and if so how is this guarded against by the leadership, so that the teachings of Calvin are not misinterpreted?

I fell into just the opposite, I fell into an optimistic/predestined worldview where God is in charge of everything and since He's so good all things happen for a good reason. I have learned to run with this optimistic worldview as I interpret history and current events. The result is that this fear of the Lord has made me wise!

Since our God is the humble and kind Jesus Christ and not the mean-spirited god of the Greeks, Zeus, we as Christians can have this optimistic/predestined worldview as opposed to the fatalistic/deterministic worldview of the Greeks from whom this phrase was originally coined.

 

[cygnusx1]

I think you're going to have to explain exactly how a "Calvinistic worldview" can lead to fatalism.

only if it is Hyper Calvinism : a denial that outreach is important , or because God does all the saving , we need do nothing ......... those ideas need to be put to bed especially for a 'young Calvinist"

Greetings Cygnus

 

[Imblessed]

Hi folks!

In your opinion can Calvinism lead to a fatalistic/deterministic worldview? If so, how do you guard against this or teach others to keep from falling into this perspective?


Thanks

Jesaiah

I think that for a person who doesn't want to take responsibility for their walk with God this COULD happen. Think about it. God saved us. For a Calvinist, this is very humbling. Why did God choose us? Obviously, not because we are worthy. But turning ourselves over TO God, giving him our will, well, it's I think, the hardest thing a christian does. And the whole idea that "since God's in control, it doesn't matter what I do to help bring people to God" makes it easy to not go out and share the Gospel. But in reality, that just means that the "calvinist" doesn't truly GET it. God's gonna save who He's gonna save, and if you don't help, it's not going to mean that that person isn't gonna get saved. But I have a strong suspicion that when we go meet God, that sort of thing is going to come out. It's like the parable of the slaves with the talents. Those who used the talents to make more were given more. The one who horded it away...well, the master was not pleased.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if anyone grabs hold of the Calvinist doctrine of predestination just so they don't have to DO anything, well, they aren't real Calvinists. It's a warped view, this fatalistic/predermination view.

I really think that any "view", Calvinistic, Arminianism etc. can have "pitfalls". We are such a weak animal, and we are always looking for the easy way out, so to speak--yes, even as christians, and that is why we must always be examining our faith, and making sure we are always moving toward God and striving to be more like Jesus. Practice makes perfect!

Hope this made sense.....