Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Response to: Calvinism- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva ^ | August 13, 2003 | OP

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Introduction: the Anti-Predestinarian Syllogism

In debates between Reformation Protestants and Arminian neo-Protestants, it is common for Arminians to invoke a peculiar and logically-fallacious syllogism in an effort to deflect attention from the evidentiary insurmountability of the Biblical Case for Reformation Protestantism. This syllogism is constructed in the form of a classic ad hominem Guilt-by-Association argument, according to the following general Form:

• Assertion 1: One of the principal advovates of Reformation Protestantism, John Calvin of Geneva, "murdered" one Michael Servetus on the charge of Blasphemy, etc.
• Assertion 2: John Calvin never Repented this "murder".
• Assertion 3: Ergo, John Calvin was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore his doctrines must be rejected.

Needless to say, it makes little impression upon the Arminian neo-Protestant that the Doctrines of Absolute Predestination were believed by Godly Christians for centuries before Calvin (i.e., 10th-15th Century Waldensian CredoBaptists, the 6th-9th Century Presbyters of Iona, the 4th-10th Century Ambrosian Catholics, Saint Augustine, the Apostles, Jesus Christ Himself, etc). What matters is the argumentative usefulness of being able to lay this charge to the particular account of John Calvin, and thus evade the theological defeat of the UnBiblical Arminian systematic heresy by re-framing the debate as a mud-throwing competition directed against one particular Reformer.

Now, before we proceed, we should observe: the Arminian neo-Protestant assertions against Calvin are not borne out by the Facts of History in the first place.

Uncomfortable Facts about Michael Servetus

Michael Servetus was:

A Criminal Foreign Insurrectionist,
Preaching that Trinitarians should be murderously liquidated as a Class,
Who was warned for weeks to leave Geneva, and refused,
Seeking the Overthrow of the Genevan Constitution,
In Conspiracy with Insurrectionist Elements within Geneva,
Towards a Re-Establishment of the sort of Anti-Trinitarian Reich,
Which had so bloodily and viciously terrorized Munster not long before.

In point of History, Michael Servetus was executed as a matter of State Punishment, as sentenced by the Civil Council of Geneva – which itself was controlled at the time by Calvin’s political enemies, the Libertines. In fact, as the Libertine Party itself rejected Calvin’s doctrine of Predestination, it is more historically accurate to say that Servetus was killed by the Anti-Predestinarian “protestants”, than to attribute the deed to Calvin (who at any rate pleaded for a more merciful execution “by the Sword”, rather than the slow burning-to-death on which the vicious Anti-Predestinarians insisted).

Be that as it may, however, it needs be asked – if it is appropriate for Arminian neo-Protestants to employ such a Syllogism against the Reformer John Calvin, is it not equally appropriate to measure by the same standard the heretical Schismatic who, perhaps more than any other single man, was fundamentally responsible for sundering the Godly unity of Reformation Protestantism into a thousand confused and competing sects – James Arminius? To that Question we now turn:

Arminius – his teachings on Politics, Religion, and the Sword of the State

The State is the Absolute Sovereign over all Natural and Spiritual affairs of Man:
The end of the institution of magistracy, is the good of the whole, and of each individual of which it is composed, both an animal [or natural] good, "that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives;" and a spiritual good, that they may live in this world, to God, and may in heaven enjoy that good, to the glory of God who is its author. For since man, according to his two-fold life, (that is, the animal and the spiritual,) stands in need of each kind of good, and is, by nature of the image of God, capable of both kinds; since two collateral powers cannot stand, and since animal good is directed to that which is spiritual, and animal life is subordinate to that which is spiritual, it is unlawful to divide those two benefits, and to separate their joint superintendence, either in reality or by the administration of the supreme authority; for, if the animal life and its good become the only objects of solicitude, such an administration is that of cattle. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority under Heaven, concerning both Natural and Spiritual matters, is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The chief magistrate is not correctly denominated political or secular, because those epithets are opposed to the ecclesiastical and spiritual power. In the hands and at the disposal of the chief magistrate is placed, under God, the supreme and sovereign power of caring and providing for his subjects, and of governing them, with respect to animal and spiritual life. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

It is the sole and absolute duty of the State to enforce all Ten Commandments, and to enact all laws both civil and ecclesiastical, and to eradicate all Evil from society.


The matter, of which this administration consists, are the acts necessary to produce that end. These actions, we comprehend in the three following classes: The first is Legislation, under which we also comprise the care of the moral law, according to both tables, and the enacting of subordinate laws with respect to places, times and persons, by which laws, provision may be the better made for the observance of that immovable law, and the various societies, being restricted to certain relations, may be the more correctly governed; that is, ecclesiastical, civil, scholastic and domestic associations. The second contains the vocation to delegated offices or duties, and the oversight of all actions and things which are necessary to the whole society. The third is either the eradication of all evils out of the society, if they be internal, or the warding of them off, if they be external, even with war, if that be necessary, and the safety of society should require it. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority over the Christian Church is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The care of religion has been committed by God to the chief magistrate, more than to priests and to ecclesiastical persons. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)
Because this power is pre eminent, we assert that every soul is subject to it by divine right, whether he be a layman or a clergyman, a deacon, priest, or bishop, an archbishop, cardinal, or patriarch, or even the Roman pontiff himself; so that it is the duty of every one to obey the commands of the magistrate, to acknowledge his tribunal, to await the sentence, and to submit to the punishment which he may award. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

The Utter Subjection of all Human life, whether natural or spiritual, to the Dictates of the Absolute State should be “terrified and compelled” by the Power of the Sword:


The form is the power itself, according to which these functions themselves are discharged, with an authority that is subject to God alone, and pre-eminently above whatever is human; for this inspires spirit and life, and gives efficacy to these functions. It is enunciated "power by right of the sword," by which the good may be defended, and the bad terrified, restrained and punished, and all men compelled to perform their prescribed duties. To this power, as supreme, belongs the authority of demanding, from those under subjection, tribute, custom, and other burdens. These resemble the sinews, by which the authority and power necessary for these functions, are held together and established. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

Phew.... Thank God that America was founded primarily by convinced Calvinists, and not Arminians. Moving along, though, let us now apply the Arminian's Favorite Syllogism -- to Arminius himself.

Arminius at the Bar of the Arminian Syllogism:

• Fact 1: James Arminius, (in addition to being a proto-Stalinist) advocated Murder by the State over religious matters -- the same charge that Arminians lay to the account of John Calvin. (It may be objected that Arminius never actually murdered anyone. Neither did John Calvin, for that matter; but the fact remains that Arminius advocated State-Murder in his mind and heart -- and per Matthew 5, it's the thought that counts as much as the act).
• Fact 2: James Arminius never repented his advocacy of State-Murder; he went to his grave espousing the Absolute Power of the State to compel obedience by the Sword in all matters, natural and spiritual.
• Conclusion: Ergo, James Arminius was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore anyone who believes Arminian doctrines, believes Un-Christian Doctrines.

Hmmmm. Howzabout that.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Will you tackle the Institutes? This was quite enlightening and informative. 19 posted on 08/13/2003 11:11 PM PDT by CARepubGal

Thank you... but NO.

I can, if I have great time to spare, tackle the Institutes one chapter at a time -- if that. But not all at once. Not even one Book out of Four at once.

Remember what the Institutes are: a thousand-page version of the Apostle's Creed. That's really all that John Calvin wrote.

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Ghost:
I believe in the Holy Catholic Church: the communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting. Amen.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, and the Holy Catholic Church. That's the entire schematic of the Institutes, Books I through IV. That's all Calvin ever intended to do... The Institutes are nothing more (nor less) than a comprehensively holistic commentary on every possible aspect of the Apostle's Creed. Virtually every possible Scripture, and virtually every possible logical Argument, related to the Apostle's Creed is included therein. But since the whole of Scripture concerns the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and the Holy Catholic Church -- analyzing the Institutes amounts to a cross-referenced analysis of the entire Bible, all at once.

I think I am just about ready to take on a single book of Scripture -- the much-misunderstood Revelation of John. But take on the Institutes?? I might as well write a commentary on the Whole Bible. (don't tempt me...)

For the Institutes, being nothing more nor less than a thousand-page version of the Apostle's Creed, is already very nearly that, as it is. Maybe if I had a couple of days to spare, at least (grin).

best, op

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Servetus-shishkabob Bump.

[nobdysfool]

OP, thank you! Work has prevented me from tackling some of the more egregious piffle that has been thrown about in the last week, but I will be addressing it. This is a great help!

[drstevej]

I do like the term credobaptist for the reasons you mention.

[Cvengr]

I find your 3 assertion argument a bit humerous. (referencing the first 'syllogism')

Leave it to a Calvinist to imply such an argument from past threads.

The Calvinist viewpoint seems to make themselves victims of such assumed implications.

[Corin Stormhands]

Ergo, John Calvin was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore his doctrines must be rejected.

For the record, y'all know I don't play over here much anymore, but if some Arminians are really saying that Calvin wasn't a Christian because of the Servetus incident, then they're just being goofy.

Admittedly, at first reading the Servetus story sounds like a "gotcha" for Calvin. But that's wishful thinking on the part of some Arminians.

Calvin's actions regarding Servetus, whether right or wrong, have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of his theology. The only perfect "theologian" (if you can really call Him that) was Christ. Every other one has/had human failings.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

[Alex Murphy]

We Calvinist Presbyterians, as you know, build most of our bridges with Calvinist Baptists.

Don't they make a lot of noise when you pound the nails in, though?

[drstevej]

***For the record, y'all know I don't play over here much anymore, but if some Arminians are really saying that Calvin wasn't a Christian because of the Servetus incident, then they're just being goofy.***

Ping to Marlowe

[Alex Murphy]

Calvin's actions regarding Servetus, whether right or wrong, have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of his theology. The only perfect "theologian" (if you can really call Him that) was Christ. Every other one has/had human failings.

Nicely said, Corin!

[P-Marlowe]

Ping to Marlowe

Why are you pinging me here? You know you often accuse me of "playing to the Jury" but this little screed by OP is essentially nonsense (accusing Arminius of advocating murder) and nothing more than a silly attempt to " play to the jury", only in this case the jury seems to be absent.

Let us remember that Calvin stated that he was responsible for the "extermination of Michael Servetus". He even wrote an apologetic for the execution of heretics. Arminius' postion as stated by OP merely recognizes that the power granted to the State is ordained of God and the ruler (no matter how much of a despot he is) is instrument of God's judgement.

Now while that teaching is clearly consistent with Romans 13, there is a problem that both Arminius and Calvin both shared. They saw the State as an instrument for cleansing and purifying the church, and failed to recognize that the State is almost universally an instrument of corruption and greed by those who seek temporal power.

Utilizing Calvin and Arminius' views and reverting them back to the first 3 Centuries after Christ, the persecution of the early Christians is at least as equally justified under this premise as the burning of Michael Servetus. Since the Christian Church was in essence in active rebellion against the power of the State, it can be argued that the Christian Church itself was in a similar state of Apostacy and heresy and insurrection as Servetus was when he fell into the hands of Calvin and his City Government. So by that reasoning the persecution of the Church by the Ceasers was nothing less than God himself ridding the Christian Church of evildoers, heretics and insurrectionists.

IMHO both Arminius and Calvin were corrupted by the power that flowed from the illicit and adulterous marriage between the Church and the State. The Church (the true church) is the bride of Christ. The false Church is the bride of the power of the State.

[CCWoody]

Pity there's so few of you. God bless.... ~ OP

Well, to be honest, I have considered finding a Reformed Episcopalian church on more than one occation, with having spent the first 18 years of my life as an Episcopalian. I think that, given the apostate nature of the ECUSA, one could find a wonderful growth of Calvinism among our seperated EC brothers as they travel the road I walked out of her.

Woody.

P.S. "J", have you been looking through that 1662 prayerbook link I sent you? The 39 Articles in the back used to be what all us Episcopalians were all about.

[LiteKeeper]

Here is a link to the The History & Founding Principles of the Reformed Episcopal Church to include an explanation of the Declaration of Principles.

The Mission & Foundational Beliefs of the Reformed Episcopal Church which includes the Declaration of Principles and the 39 Articles. I think you will find this enlightening.

[xzins]

I agree with Corin.

As usual. :>)

[xzins]

I agree with Corin.

As usual. :>)

[Corin Stormhands]

Double blessing? Second work of agreement?

[xzins]

Well, I'm on a different computer at my daughter's place in New Jersey.

It isn't at all the same

[connectthedots]

Calvin's actions regarding Servetus, whether right or wrong, have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of his theology.

To hear amny Calvinists speak, this comment would be hard to surmise. Why is it so difficult for Calvinists to comsider the real possibility that Calvin's theology contains errors? Once again, I am not an Arminian; I'm just a mere Christian.

The only perfect "theologian" (if you can really call Him that) was Christ. Every other one has/had human failings.

Calvin's personal failings are quite well known. Would you please identify a few of his theological 'failings'? Surely you must know of some aspect of his teaching with which you disagree; of is his theology 'perfect'?

[AZhardliner]

Good response, thanks for taking the time to defend the faith once delivered to the saints. Soli Deo Gloria!

[connectthedots]

IMHO both Arminius and Calvin were corrupted by the power that flowed from the illicit and adulterous marriage between the Church and the State. The Church (the true church) is the bride of Christ. The false Church is the bride of the power of the State.

Well stated.

[drstevej]

***Why is it so difficult for Calvinists to comsider the real possibility that Calvin's theology contains errors? ***

CTD, this is a ludicrous statement. I disagree with Calvin on many points. I know of no Calvinist, including Calvin, who view his views as without error.

Leave your hatred behind.