In Reply to: Re: dark side of Calvinism.... reposted posted by Farmer on May 13, 2010 at 05:12:34:
Farmer, I have just now read your reply. I stopped looking for a while because I thought that you weren't interested going further with this discussion. I, too, am busy and especially right now; so a lengthy discussion is something that I can't engage in at the moment. I can give shorter responses but they won't be a thorough, if you know what I mean. I am aware of the questions and criticisms of the view that is often referred to as Calvinism. I prefer to think of it as Reformed, since it was rooted in Luther and his revelation from the Holy Spirit in Scripture. I haven't read all of Calvin but what I do know I find insightful and true. Sure, there is a dark side or misunderstood side of many of the reformers; they were people of their time as we are of ours. It is disingenuous of us to judge them on some levels as we were not of their period and can not fully know what is was like to be of that time and culture (religiously speaking).
I can understand how "Calvinism" can be taken to extremes. The big question for me is how is it that God gives us freedom to choose on one level and predestines us on another. I don't believe that our only conclusion must be that we are robots. [For me, this is more true of a world without God -- one that is fully mechanical in its origin (e.g. evolution)]. While this seems like a contradiction, I believe that the Scriptures teach this very thing -- there is harmony between predestination and free will. Aquinas cautions us not to place any limits on our understanding of God's power and sovereignty. On the other hand, since we are finite creatures and God is infinite, we can not fully know Him as Aquinas acknowledges. We are by nature limited in our understanding. So, rather than trying to figure it all out, I believe the Bible and realize that all the answers will not come in this world.
I do not post as Peace. There was another poster that used my ID for a while, but then changed to Peace when I told him/her that Mir has long been my ID and one that I posted under on NDN. Actually I told him that he could have that ID if he wanted it, but he said that he would use another....which was eventually "Peace," I believe.