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To: the_conscience
Not true. Calvinism would only be fatalistic if it were claimed that no creational means were used in applying that salvation. But since Calvinism clearly describes creational means as an important factor then it cannot be said to be fatalistic.

thefreedictionary.com


fa·tal·ism (ftl-zm)
n.
1. The doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable.
2. Acceptance of the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable.

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Based on that definition, what is it about Calvinism that is NOT fatalistic?


1,020 posted on 03/12/2010 12:07:16 PM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe
Based on that definition, what is it about Calvinism that is NOT fatalistic?

"by fate"

1,024 posted on 03/12/2010 12:31:41 PM PST by the_conscience (We ought to obey God, rather than men. (Acts 5:29b))
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To: P-Marlowe; the_conscience; blue-duncan; xzins
Colloquially the word "fate" is taken to mean some controlling factor which does not necessitate a sovereign, divine Creator, but a fortuitous alignment of the stars.

Camus said that "there is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn." That's not the Triune God; that's unfortunate happenstance.

A better word than fate or destiny would be Providence which implies the sure and steady hand of the Creator.

Fatalism implies the inevitable downward tug of gravity. Christian predestination means God is in control and that's always a good thing to acknowledge.

Logically, it can be no other way, if God exists. From the moment of creation, God knew everything that would happen because He ordained everything that would happen. And if He had wanted something else to happen, it would have happened differently. But what happens is exactly what God wants to happen at the moment it is happening.

1,065 posted on 03/12/2010 9:09:52 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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