Is the gospel presented in the Bible the same as the message of Calvinism? The claim has been made numerous times by Calvinists that the five points of Calvinism (TULIP) or the so-called "Doctrines of Grace" is the biblical gospel. Is this true?
Any person, church, or group can use and abuse scriptures to support their system of theology. I think that all Christians are called to search the scriptures to see whether doctrines which are taught and claimed to be truth really do line up with the scriptures.For most of them, yes. But the problem is not that they are without Biblical foundation, but that their opposite number can be found in scripture as well. That's why there's a never-ending struggle between the two sides.
Agreed. But us agreeing on that doesn't really do much to decide or settle the issue you raised in the OP, does it?Any person, church, or group can use and abuse scriptures to support their system of theology. I think that all Christians are called to search the scriptures to see whether doctrines which are taught and claimed to be truth really do line up with the scriptures.
If it's presented biblically, Calvinism correctly explains the gospel.Is the gospel presented in the Bible the same as the message of Calvinism? The claim has been made numerous times by Calvinists that the five points of Calvinism (TULIP) or the so-called "Doctrines of Grace" is the biblical gospel. Is this true?
No,Is the gospel presented in the Bible the same as the message of Calvinism? The claim has been made numerous times by Calvinists that the five points of Calvinism (TULIP) or the so-called "Doctrines of Grace" is the biblical gospel. Is this true?
I think that sums it up.The five points of Calvinism, properly understood, are biblically sound. I believe that there are two reasons that they are rejected. The first reason is that people don't understand the basic rules of biblical interpretation and the second reason is that people become overly emotional about the subject.
Is the gospel presented in the Bible the same as the message of Calvinism?
...the second reason is that people become overly emotional about the subject.
I'm tempted to say that a third reason should be added--misrepresentation, either through ignorance or deliberate. For example, how often have we heard that predestination means that the Elect can sin to their heart's content because it won't affect their salvation?
Of course, they are not right about that!Traditional Christians are emotional because they believe Calvinism represents a serious form of blasphemy: it makes God the author of evil and therefore evil himself. If they are right, their emotion is perfectly justified, and their emotion is a result of their conclusion, not the other way around.
Many believers who do understand basic rules of biblical interpretation find the doctrines of Calvinism to be contrary to the scriptures. I have seen plenty of Calvinists become overly and aggressively emotional on the subject. I can understand that Christians who believe Calvinism to be in error may become emotional when it appears that such doctrines malign the character of God and distort the message of salvation.The five points of Calvinism, properly understood, are biblically sound. I believe that there are two reasons that they are rejected. The first reason is that people don't understand the basic rules of biblical interpretation and the second reason is that people become overly emotional about the subject.
No moreso than the opponents of Calvinism, who probably deserve a little less leeway on the matter since their ire is based upon misunderstanding Calvinism, as is shown in your very own post here.Many believers who do understand basic rules of biblical interpretation find the doctrines of Calvinism to be contrary to the scriptures. I have seen plenty of Calvinists become overly and aggressively emotional on the subject.
such doctrines malign the character of God
If it is the view of those who oppose Calvinism that such doctrines malign the character of God ...how is that misrepresenting Calvinism? I think those who disagree with Calvinism are capable (and most have) of reading and studying the subject from the writings of Calvinists material so that they are understanding the Calvinist position correctly.No moreso than the opponents of Calvinism, who probably deserve a little less leeway on the matter since their ire is based upon misunderstanding Calvinism, as is shown in your very own post here.
They misunderstand what Election is all about, natch. If they did not misunderstand--or are simply misrepresenting the matter--they could not say such a thing, since Calvinism's points in no way do malign the character of God.If it is the view of those who oppose Calvinism that such doctrines malign the character of God ...how is that misrepresenting Calvinism?
What does the Bible teach concerning election?They misunderstand what Election is all about, natch. If they did not misunderstand--or are simply misrepresenting the matter--they could not say such a thing, since Calvinism's points in no way do malign the character of God.
A few minutes ago, I was about to post this--
But I decided against making the point. THEN I read the following--
Of course, they are not right about that!
I probably should have posted the original message after all.
Most Calvinists (or a lot, anyway) don't read Calvin. So your point is moot.Many Calvinists also suffer from a lack of knowledge of Calvinism. For example:
...how foolish and frail is the support of divine justice afforded by the suggestion that evils come to be, not by His will but by His permission... It is a quite frivolous refuge to say that God otiosely permits them, when Scripture shows Him not only willing, but the author of them... (John Calvin, The Eternal Predestination of God, 10:11)
Yes, I don't think a lot of those who call themselves Calvinists fully understand all that Calvinism entails and the ramifications of the beliefs.Many Calvinists also suffer from a lack of knowledge of Calvinism. For example:
...how foolish and frail is the support of divine justice afforded by the suggestion that evils come to be, not by His will but by His permission... It is a quite frivolous refuge to say that God otiosely permits them, when Scripture shows Him not only willing, but the author of them... (John Calvin, The Eternal Predestination of God, 10:11)