Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

John Calvin was America’s ’Founding Father’ [Presbyterian Rebellion Day]
Christian Telegraph ^

Posted on 07/04/2012 7:38:25 PM PDT by Gamecock

More than a thousand attendees are expected to gather for a four-day conference to celebrate John Calvin's 500th birthday, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

As America prepares to celebrate Independence Day this July 4, Vision Forum Ministries will be hosting the national celebration to honor the 500th birthday of John Calvin, a man who many scholars recognize as America's "Founding Father."

The event -- The Reformation 500 Celebration -- will take place July 1-4 at the Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Boston, according to a media release about the event.

"Long before America declared its independence, John Calvin declared and defended principles that birthed liberty in the modern world," noted Doug Phillips, president of Vision Forum Ministries.

"Scholars both critical and sympathetic of the life and theology of Calvin agree on one thing: that this reformer from Geneva was the father of modern liberty as well as the intellectual founding father of America," he said.

Phillips pointed out: "Jean Jacques Rousseau, a fellow Genevan who was no friend to Christianity, observed: 'Those who consider Calvin only as a theologian fail to recognize the breadth of his genius. The editing of our wise laws, in which he had a large share, does him as much credit as his Institutes. . . . [S]o long as the love of country and liberty is not extinct amongst us, the memory of this great man will be held in reverence.'"

He continued: "German historian Leopold von Ranke observed that 'Calvin was virtually the founder of America.' Harvard historian George Bancroft was no less direct with this remark: 'He who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty.'

"John Adams, America's second president, agreed with this sentiment and issued this pointed charge: 'Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it much respect.'

"As we celebrate America's Independence this July 4, we would do well to heed John Adams' admonition and show due respect to the memory of John Calvin whose 500th birthday fall six days later," Phillips stated.

Calvin, a convert to Reformation Christianity born in Noyon, France, on July 10, 1509, is best known for his influence on the city of Geneva, the media release explains.

"It was there that he modeled many of the principles of liberty later embraced by America's Founders, including anti-statism, the belief in transcendent principles of law as the foundation of an ethical legal system, free market economics, decentralized authority, an educated citizenry as a safeguard against tyranny, and republican representative government which was accountable to the people and a higher law," the release states.

The Reformation 500 Celebration will honor Calvin's legacy, along with other key Protestant reformers, and will feature more than thirty history messages on the impact of the Reformation, Faith & Freedom mini-tours of historic Boston, and a Children's Parade.

The festivities will climax on America's Independence Day as attendees join thousands of others for the world-renowned music and fireworks celebration on the Esplanade with the Boston Pops Orchestra.


TOPICS: Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Mainline Protestant
KEYWORDS: calvin; wrong
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-164 next last

1 posted on 07/04/2012 7:38:36 PM PDT by Gamecock
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Gamecock
"John Adams, America's second president, agreed with this sentiment and issued this pointed charge: 'Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it much respect."
2 posted on 07/04/2012 7:39:31 PM PDT by Gamecock (I worked out with a dumbbell yesterday and I feel vigorous!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: drstevej; OrthodoxPresbyterian; CCWoody; Wrigley; Gamecock; Jean Chauvin; jboot; AZhardliner; ...

3 posted on 07/04/2012 7:42:12 PM PDT by Gamecock (I worked out with a dumbbell yesterday and I feel vigorous!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

Calvinism has turned into the “new” version of the Catholic Church.

They have become that which they protested against.

What do I mean?

They have abandoned Sola Scriptura for the new doctrine of Calvinism.

If it can’t be learned, proved, and taught from the bible, it should not belong in a Christian church. 5 point Calvinism fits into that. It has become a doctrine taught outside of the bible, with a few weak proof-texts taken out of context, and not using the whole council of scripture.

It’s a sad day for Christendom when people are more quick to defend Calvin than Christ.


4 posted on 07/04/2012 7:44:20 PM PDT by BereanBrain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

Americans should learn about Reformation-era Europe.

There was so much going on in Europe during the few hundred years prior to America’s founding that really is key to understanding a little about what was going on in the minds of those who really “started” America.

La Rochelle, New Rochelle, etc.

Reformation-era Europe is eye-popping history that for Americans today, comfortably and dispassionately looking back, is chock-full of lessons that we need.


5 posted on 07/04/2012 8:10:26 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BereanBrain

Calvinism has turned into the “new” version of the Catholic Church.

That is a very sweeping and inaccurate accusation against all Reformed churches.
May I suggest a visit to sermonaudio.com. Visit a whole world of Reformed churches preaching Sola Scriptura.
When I was introduced to Calvinism, aside from my basic knowledge of the Reformation, I wondered who is this guy, Calvin?
Of course, I would never consider substituting Calvin’s Institutes for my Bible...that is ridicules, but after reading Institutes it’s hard to understand how anyone could not be blessed and humbled by Calvin’s exposition of the Scripture. He stands head and shoulders above most of what passes for preaching in a lot of pulpits these days.
Just my humble opinion.


6 posted on 07/04/2012 8:11:09 PM PDT by WestwardHo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

John Calvin was an evil tyrant. Were he alive in Geneva today, it would be considered on par with hellholes like North Korea.


7 posted on 07/04/2012 8:16:21 PM PDT by balch3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BereanBrain

Calvin was a theologian, just a man, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, the Son of God.

I find Calvin’s writings (though I’ve only read a very small portion of them) to be quite excellent exposition on Scripture, as have millions of other Christians.

If you’ve read most of Calvin’s writings, and for every point you disagree, you can provide Scriptural proofs as to why your viewpoint is correct and Calvin is incorrect, then I’d understand you dismissing all of his exegesis in 8 sentences, even if I did not agree. Otherwise, such a brief yet complete dismissal of all the works of such a remarkable theologian could only be considered uninformed.

Perhaps we could start with one simple point (in the interest of time) that he made where you have a better interpretation of Scripture ?

Perhaps we might have a religious forum discussion that would prove profitable for everyone.


8 posted on 07/04/2012 8:32:36 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: WestwardHo

Sola Scriptura is alive and well in my reformed baptist congregation and we aren’t alone. After decades of study I became a Calvinist and left my traditional Southern Baptist church home based solely on what I found in Scripture. I got to the point that I could no longer deny the plain truths taught in the Word and realized the poor hermeneutical methods commonly employed by those against Calvinism, a group which included my own beloved pastor. All freewill systems honor the will of men. The Doctrines of Grace honor the Lord.

Ephesians 1:

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Romans 9:16 “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”


9 posted on 07/04/2012 8:32:47 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: balch3

What abject ignorance. Calvin is among the greatest liberators in human history.


10 posted on 07/04/2012 8:35:54 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: .45 Long Colt

http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/e034rpCalvin_Franca05.htm


11 posted on 07/04/2012 8:39:24 PM PDT by balch3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

“The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox’s gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.”—C. H. Spurgeon


12 posted on 07/04/2012 8:40:50 PM PDT by Ottofire (Philippians 1:21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: balch3

I figured you were a papist.


13 posted on 07/04/2012 8:44:13 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Ottofire

You saved me the trouble of posting that quote.


14 posted on 07/04/2012 8:45:36 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

Interesting quote from Adams. Wasn’t he a unitarian?


15 posted on 07/04/2012 8:47:39 PM PDT by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BereanBrain

Sir, with all due respect..you don’t know what you’re talking about. Nothing of what you’ve said here is true.

In all honesty, I once had pretty much the same ideas about Calvinism that you’ve suggested. BUT then, I admit that I had not actually searched the Scriptures to see if these ideas were true; I probably simply got these ideas from others whom I respected.

Sure, I admit it; I was lazy, because I hadn’t actually spent anytime in the Scriptures to see if what the Reformed taught, was actually there in the Bible. I just took it for granted that what my respected friends and teachers said about Calvinism was true.

But, one day, some time ago; I was challanged to read Loraine Boettner’s “THE REFORMED DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION”. This book was written in 1929-30 by a graduate from Princeton,(when Princeton still graduated Conservative scholars.) The book contains a logical and systematic presentation of what the Scriptures actually teach in regard to the 5 points of Calvinism. It is a book that is well worth the time to SLOWLY read and THINK about what you are reading.

I could NOT refute what Boettner said in this book. All my objections, indeed; all of the objections to Calvinism that I had ever heard, were met “head on”, and answered.

As I read, and thought deeply about what this book said, I had to “swallow my pride”, so to speak, and admit to myself that I was very wrong about what Calvinism is.

The Reformed Faith is true to the Scriptures. Now, I can say this till I’m blue in the face..but you won’t believe me until you’ve actually done the work yourself, that is; studied these issues logically and systematically, by seeing what the Scriptures actually teach. I had my Bible open and followed along in the Scriptures, while thinking about Boettner’s arguments in the book. I found that he was not “making stuff up”, he actually provided Scriptural proof for what he was saying.

To that end, since Boettner is now in the Public Domain, the book is available to read ON LINE here = http://www.ccel.org/ccel/boettner/predest.toc.html

And, if you might possibly wish to read it on your Tablet, or any other device..here’s the book in PDF format, from my Dropbox account = https://dl.dropbox.com/u/16063967/Boettner-Predestination.pdf

So, please do what I did; accept the challange; read Boettner, and TRY to refute what he says in this book.. I bet that, after you’ve HONESTLY read the book, (No skimming, or skipping chapters, as some people do!) and thought deeply about his conclusions..you may come to the same position that I did; that Calvinism is indeed true to the Scriptures..but you won’t know that, until you’ve read, and thought about what the book says.

Boettner has not written the only book regarding these matters. There are many other books available that will answer the various criticisms and objections that people may have in regard to Calvinism.

I’ve talked about Boettner, simply because this is the book that turned LIGHTBULBS on over my head! After reading this book, everything made sense!

So, go ahead.. read it; if only to see if what you’ve always thought about Calvinism is true. I think you may be pleasantly surprised!


16 posted on 07/04/2012 9:08:12 PM PDT by Biblical Calvinist (Soli Deo Gloria !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock

The Catholic Church was established in Florida decades and decades before the Pilgrims came to America.


17 posted on 07/04/2012 9:09:31 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

don’t expect these prods to listen.


18 posted on 07/04/2012 9:28:25 PM PDT by balch3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

true.

Native American predated the Church.

Do you feel they founded America?


19 posted on 07/04/2012 9:35:24 PM PDT by NoLibZone (We must get down on our knees each day and thank God that McCain/Palin didn't win in '08. Right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: balch3

Is the Catholic Church the only path to salvation?


20 posted on 07/04/2012 9:38:08 PM PDT by NoLibZone (We must get down on our knees each day and thank God that McCain/Palin didn't win in '08. Right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-164 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson