...Calvinism and Arminianism The purpose of this paper is to compare two theological positions, namely Calvinism and Arminianism. These are two positions on either side of the extreme concerning free will and predestination. There are those who believe that we have the free will to love and obey God or deny God, and there are those who believe that God, in his sovereignty, has predetermined who will be saved or who will not be saved and neither group is willing to budge. Both sides claim to have the support of Scripture, and both have specific verses that are twisted and manipulated to show support and reasoning. The problem is that both sides appear, on some levels at least, to be right. The question that can be answered from a comparison of these two views is this: What are the basic differences between Calvinism and Arminianism, as well as, their relation to theology, biblical evidence and worldviews? This research paper covers the five key points or articles of Calvinism and Arminianism, as well as, the history, view of God and biblical evidence or support for each position. History The history of Calvinism and Arminianism dates back to the 16th century, where a man named John Calvin was born in 1509. John Calvin was a son of a lawyer and born in Noyon, France where he developed a love for theology and literature. In 1523 he went to the University of Paris where he studied theology, yet in 1528 he went to Orleans and a year later Bourges to study law. With Calvin’s...
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...The Doctrine of Calvinism Name Course Professor Date Introduction Many people do not have a slight idea of what we mean by Calvinism. It is not a surprise because they know nothing about the doctrine. My effort is to try and help people understand the doctrine of Calvinism. I will try to explain what it is and the historical information behind it. It has a pretty wide doctrine that I will have the chance of defining it all through the paper. I think that it will be easy to highlight the scriptural basis linked to Calvinism. I will be glad to point out show the linkage present between Calvinism and scriptures in the Bible. There are different belief systems within Christianity of which Calvinism is one of them. Calvinism was taught by John Calvin, and it strictly pays attention to a very high view of scripture and tends to derive its theological formulations majorly on the word of God. In the course, I will be pointing out the theological development of Calvinism. How has the theology developed from the past? How did it come to be? Has it be accepted by the Christians or not? However, at the end of my work, I will be glad to show reasons that Calvinism has been criticized. Therefore, I will be able to indicate the criticism of the doctrine and the reason why some people oppose this doctrine. Different people have divergent views about Calvinism hence; the objections are present and will be highlighted. What people wonder is whether...
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...During the middle ages, society viewed women as submissive and lesser than men. During the Reformation, views became slightly skewed as religions developed different opinions towards the issue of women in society. 16th and 17th century Europe portrayed different religions such as Lutheranism and Calvinism that changed views on women in society, while the Anabaptist kept previous views. Lutheranism, a branch of Protestant religion showed a shift in view towards women being equal to men. Martin Luther, the founder of Lutheranism, believed that views and rules written in Bible were what life actions should be lived and based off on. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them,” Genesis 1:27. This passage from the Bible states that both men and women were created in the same image and likeness by God. Being written in the Bible, Luther believed and preached the idea that men and women are equal, based off of the image of their creator, God. “...husband differs from the wife in no other respect than in sex; otherwise the women is altogether [as] man… If the wife is honorable, virtuous, and pious, she shares in all the cares, endeavors,...
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...THE PROVIDENCE DEBATE: 10/08/2013 201340 FALL 2013 THEO 350-B05 INSTRUCTOR: DR. RICHARD LUMADUE STUDENT: CAROL J MOZEE THE PROVIDENCE DEBATE: 10/08/2013 201340 FALL 2013 THEO 350-B05 INSTRUCTOR: DR. RICHARD LUMADUE STUDENT: CAROL J MOZEE The Providence Debate: Personally why should there be a debate about God, and his where about and how and what he can and can’t do? Who is in control? God is! I know to some people this may not be an appropriate way to start this research paper, but it is what it is and I feel sad that this is how the world thinks and appreciate our God, our Father and Friend. It’s all in defining everything, and not just seeing God’s work and taking, God’s word and believing in God for whom he is. Defining God’s Providence, all things happens according to God’s Sovereign Will, “ God is in control. Romans 8:28 “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. When one defines God’s providence it is referring to the way God governs the world. Does God really sit on His throne and dictate or rule the world? It is not surprising that there is some disagreement in the evangelical world concerning the control of God, His dealing with salvation especially as affected by Jesus and the freewill of mankind. Some theologians think that the three are in contradictory of each other. Are they really in conflict with each other’s or can all three exist in...
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...Statement It is the intent of this paper to show that children who die in infancy, regardless of the beliefs of their parents, are given salvation and therefore spend eternity in heaven. Original sin is still present, but God, being free and independent of us, freely chooses to save infants who are not capable of making a choice to commit their lives to Christ. Introduction Infant salvation is a complex issue, sometimes controversial and a topic of much debate within Christendom. The issue of infant salvation first arose with the institution of infant baptism, done so that infants who died would be baptized, and thus saved in case of death. Though that debate has subsided in recent years, it is not due to a consensus conclusion of the arguments among theologians and denominational leaders, but instead, it has subsided due to more pressing issues facing Christianity and theology. As infant salvation is explored, it must be done through a historical viewing of the topic as well as an emphasis on scripture. It is simply not enough to look at opinions of historical theologians. We must look at...
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...1. Appeal of Calvinism o They held important geographic areas and were heavily represented among the more powerful segments of French society o 2/5 of French aristocracy joined * They hoped to establish within France a principle of territorial sovereignty akin to the Peace of Augsburg * Calvinism served the forces of political decentralization. Calvinist conversations among powerful aristocrats as a means to achieve political goals o John Calvin and Theodore Beza saw this as a means to advance their cause o Beza converted Jeanne d‘Albert, the mother of the future Henry IV o The prince of Condé was converted by his Calvinist wife in 1558 o Calvinist religious convictions proved useful to their political goals Two main reasons to become a Calvinist with something to gain from the other o Religious Resistance made Calvinism a possible religion in Catholic France Secular/political reasons cast suspicion on religious intent Wanted to spread Calvinism, the religion As she had earlier sought Protestant support when Guise power threatened to subdue the monarchy, she now sought Guise support as Protestant influence grew. 1. Protestant Resistance Theory * Protestant leaders view on resistance against the emperor: o Luther: * approved resistance to the emperor after the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 o Calvin: * Condemned wilful disobedience and rebellion against lawfully constituted governments as un-Christian...
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...the construction of a new Basilica. Luther wrote Ninety-Five Theses, which were arguments against the sale of indulgences, which later got him excommunicated by Pope Leo X, who considered Luther to be a heretic. With the new technology of the printing press, Martin Luther’s beliefs spread quickly and became a political weapon in European conflict spreading around Germany and Switzerland, which began the Protestant Reformation. Luther believed that you can only be saved through faith alone, not the pope or clergy forgiving your sins. He also believed you could not buy your way into Heaven. After Luther’s beliefs spread, he had support and protection. The German princes now began thinking for themselves and split from the Catholic Church; they wanted to declare their independence. Now, since Luther had spread all his beliefs, the German princes had the capacity to do what they felt was best for their country. John Calvin was another reformer who believed in predestination, through which certain people were chosen by God to be saved and enter Heaven. Calvinism spread throughout Scotland, Netherlands and Hungary. Since the Protestant Reformation was occurring, the Catholics had to come up with a counter plan, this was known as the Catholic Reformation. Their role was to end the corruption of the spread of Calvism and Lutheranism and to return to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Pope John Paull III called for the Council of Trent to occur to figure out how to end all...
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...GOLDEN GATE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMPUS DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN FREE WILL IN REFORMED THEOLOGY, OPEN THEISM AND MOLINISM AN EXAMINATION OF THE VIEWS OF PAUL KJOSS HELSETH, GREGORY BOYD AND WILLIAM LANE CRAIG A RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTED TO PROFESSOR RODRICK K. DURST IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY II, L-1212-11 BY ROBERT MCNAIR BOX # 685 MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA MAY 9, 2014 Contents Introduction 1 Paul Kjoss Helseth and the Reformed (Calvinist) Position 3 Gregory Boyd and the Open Theism Position 7 William Lane Craig and the Molinist Position 12 Conclusion 17 Bibliography 22 DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN FREE WILL Introduction Scripture presents two seemingly irreconcilable concepts that are both expressly affirmed in the Bible as co-existent and true: divine sovereignty and human free will. That Scripture teaches the doctrine of divine providence cannot be denied. The very act of creation was the result of God’s providence, as the created order resulted solely from His will and power. Simply, the world did not have to be; it came to be as a matter of divine choice. As a result, our world is contingent; it has no independent existence, but exists “moment to moment only in and through and unto God (Neh. 9:6; Ps. 104:30; Rom. 11:36; Heb. 1:3; Rev. 4:11).”1 In other words, the world and everything in it is entirely dependent on God for its being as God actively “works all things according to the counsel...
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...is whether the moral imperative is dependent on the divine grace for its actualization, or whether divine grace is dependent on the fulfillment of the moral imperative.”[1] This debate has been the cause of much disagreement throughout the history of the church. Brought to the forefront of debate by Augustine, arguing for the sovereignty of God, and Pelagius, arguing for the free will of man, the discussion over the relationship between God’s control and man’s ability has continued to this day. Later, during the reformation, Calvinists and Arminians continued the debate over the role man plays in the salvation process. This disagreement has caused Roger E. Olson to write, “We need to shoulder the responsibility of choosing between Calvinism and Arminianism. That does not mean choosing between Christianity and something else. It means choosing between two respectable interpretations of Scripture that have both existed within evangelical Christianity for centuries.”[2] While it seems apparent to some that the positions held by Calvinists and Arminians are impossible to harmonize, the contradiction between the sovereignty of God and free will of man can be overcome by clarifying the differences in nature of God and man with regard to time and point of view.[3] This paper...
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...Introduction A reformation reader is a book edited by Denis Janz in which he brings lesser known documents and figures to luminosity. Janz makes the context reformation clearer by including the pre-Reformation Catholic sentiments authors and discussing about the Counter Reformation and the Catholic Council of Trent. He brings up different scholarly arguments on how to interpret the Reformation. Janz tries us much as he can to stay neutral and give explanations on what the questions are. He therefore, provides documents that hold the ability to place challenges on both viewpoints and supports a study of the texts themselves. In his book, Janz includes opinions explaining the significance of both Martin Luther and John Calvin. This paper is therefore, intended on highlighting the significance of these two individuals and contrasting the opinions contained in writings of each. The significance of Martin Luther Many people wonder why there exists a great fuss over martin Luther and the Protestant reformation. They also don’t understand how and why this German monk turned out to be a lightning rod for change in religion and community in Europe during the Renaissance. Many people also do not comprehend the significance of the circumstances and the importance Luther and his persuade on the Reformation and how it affects them in the present days. Back in 1520 Luther was thought of as an insightful church leader and other thought of him as an ecclesiastical terrorist. His thoughts...
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...Chapter 4. Renaissance and Reformation: Ahead to the Past The fifteenth century saw a number of events that began to change the Medieval worldview. 1) from Wyclif at the end of the 14th century came an emphasis on individuals understanding the Bible for themselves rather than through priests, and in English rather than Latin; 2) the fall of Constantinople led to Greek classical texts being read and translated in Western Europe. Some of these texts conflicted with the scholastic philosophy based on the limited ancient texts (mainly Aristotle) previously available. A particularly important one was the work of Sextus Empiricus, who was a skeptic. Another important text discovered at this time was On the Nature of Things by Lucretius which advocated a mechanistic universe. 3) the invention of printing led to the rapid dissemination of new ideas; 4) the discovery of the Americas led to the further discovery of information difficult to reconcile with Aristotle. Maps before Columbus look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_revolutionibus_orbium_coelestium Twenty-five years after the map above was printed we see the Waldseemuller map: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1272921/Ten-greatest-maps-changed-world.html . A whole new continent is added! Worse, in 1572 a new star appeared in the sky. Tycho Brahe’s careful observations showed that it was beyond the moon (Gingerich). According to Medieval Aristotelianism the celestial regions (beyond the moon) were unchanging...
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...Historians such as Jeff Goodwin provide interpretations of what it means to have a Revolution, which shall be further explored, however what ultimately accounts is how the events and interpretations of the time fit into these interpretations. Ultimately there are two ways to look at Revolution, firstly there is the struggle or initial violent uprisings of the populous against the established state. The other way of looking at a revolution is to also examine the more long term changes or effects in the mind-set of the contemporise. In other words the changes in the way men think. Richardson pushes the idea of the initial struggle constituting a Revolution whereas others such as Hill believe that the long-term effects are more significant. Both arguments both valid against differing definitions of Revolution. Similarities between the French and English Revolutions will also provide a stark comparison of the English situation as well as a comparison with the events in the rest of Europe, why would event’s in England constitute a Revolution if similar events occurred abroad. Ultimately what we understand to be a ‘Revolution’ today is what Jeff Goodwin states is that “Revolutions entail not only mass mobilisation and regime change, but also more or less rapid fundamental social, economic and/or cultural change,...
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...English Department University of Heidelberg HS Literature: Science and Religion Instructor: Dr. Prof. Jan Stievermann WS 11/12 Jonathan Edwards: The Theory of Conversion and His Disposition towards Science Angela Abram Am Güterbahnhof 26, 69181 Leimen angeljoy89@yahoo.com English philology, semester: 5 Matriculation number: 2828314 April 9th, 2012 1. Introduction 3 2. Jonathan Edwards 4 2.1. His Life and Calling 2.2. The Conversion Experience 6 3. Edward’s Disposition towards Science 10 3.1. Science as a Way to Know God 3.2. Book of Nature vs. Book of God 13 4. Is Empiricism Important? 14 5. Jonathan Edwards: A Scientist and Christian 18 6. Conclusion 21 Bibliography 23 Honor Pledge 24 1. Introduction Throughout the centuries the relationship between science and religion has been at times harmonious and at other times at odds with each other. Even today we still find many religious groups who see science as a threat to their belief system. Among these groups are Evangelical Christians. We hear of concerned mothers protesting against the teaching of evolution in front schools, pastors warning their congregation about the dangers of science and many more instances of believer trying to “fight against” scientific findings that are not compatible with the word of God. However, a closer look reveals that there...
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...Faith” 1. What is more important than the sincerity of your belief? 2. What are the six types of faith that describe the believer's relationship to God? “Prolegomena to Theology”—Pg. 18–24 1. What are the four tools for accurately arranging a systematic theology? 2. What four questions must we ask about faith? 3. What 5 factors can limit our theology? “The Names of Christ” – Pg. 160–173 1. What chapter of the New Testament does the author suggest contains the most names of Jesus? 2. Which of God’s names do some scholars think that Jesus is claiming with his “I am” statements? 3. What is the term “only begotten” used to describe about Jesus? 4. Why does the author think that the Gospel of John calls Jesus the “word”? 5. What would Jews think who heard Christ calling Himself the “Son of...
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...SCLY 3: Beliefs in Society Revision Guide 2009-10 Name: Remember: You have to revise everything, because essay questions will focus on more than one area of the specification. The specification: The relationship between religious beliefs and social change and stability * Functionalism: conservative force, inhibition of change, collective conscience, Durkheim and totemism, anomie; civil religions * Marxism: religion as ideology, legitimating social inequality, disguising exploitation etc * Weber: religion as a force for social change: theodicies, the Protestant ethic * Neo-Marxism: religion used by those opposing the ruling class, liberation theology * Feminism: religious beliefs supporting patriarchy * Fundamentalist beliefs: rejecting change by reverting to supposed traditional values and practices. Religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice * Typologies of religious organisations: churches, denominations, sects and cults, with examples of each New Religious Movements and typologies of NRMs eg world rejecting/accommodating/affirming; millenarian beliefs, with examples of each * New Age movements and spirituality, with examples * The relationship of these organisations to religious and spiritual belief and practice. The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs...
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