 |
| Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Theological Q&A > John Calvin's bodycount | Forum Quick Jump
|
| 
DLW
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 2457
| Posted 8/24/2003 12:51 PM (GMT -6) |   | Discussing history is worthwhile to the extent it informs current practice.
With Calvin and Luther, protestantism, in general, devolved into a wide range of sectarian antagonisms that had the unintended effect of severing Christian ties across protestant countries and thus undermined Christianity's ability to check the nationalism that rose up and led to many wars.
It is also noteworthy that Thomas Hobbes came to endorse the persecution of minority religions as a result of his observation of the devastation that was caused by the thirty years war from 1618 to 1648. It was viewed that if two different religions coexisted in a state that it would lead to conflict and war and all that that entailed.
I think the waning of Christianity in Europe stems from the 30 years war, and the seeds for the thirty years war were planted by the Protestant Reformation.
The point is that we must deliberate on the meaning of what Christ said when he prayed that we be one as he and the father are one...
What is the basis for Christian Unity? Sure, Christ as revealed in the Bible and the witness of Christian History, but what does that entail? Ontotheological agreement doesn't seem to be the "right" answer(IMO)...
I like my hemlock, shaken not stirred...
dlw
Niebuhr thought that sustained moral energy in politics depended on religion's power to mobilize reason along with self-transcending love. The prophetic tradition, meanwhile, gave Jews and Christians some protection against the temptation to identify their social causes with God's will. Lincoln's second inaugural address expressed the prophetic insight, "The almighty has His own purposes." | | Back to Top | | |
 |
1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 3/17/2004 9:52 PM (GMT -6) | | Hello Everyone,
Well ... I can honestly say that this thread caught my attention with Laika's information. I've never heard these things about Calvin either. I started out reading enthusiastically, hoping to learn more, intrigued, won over by Laika's keen sense of humour (obviously a linguistics major!). Even though I figured I might not last more than a nano-second and should perhaps stick to my day job (making post-its), I said to my self, "Self, stick around (pun intended), you could learn something!" So I did.
I learned that Calvin bore no resemblance to Calvin & Hobbes (well...maybe only slightly in physical form, but definitely not as funny). I thought I had found the wittiest thread so far.
My husband is a seminarian and I was a "wanna-be seminarian" but neither of us had heard this info. before. Mind you, there were no calvinists that we knew of lurking withing those sacred halls (well, maybe a few in the closet...hmmm..."closet calvinists" - catchy eh?
All kidding aside, there've been some scoundrels in church history for sure. I'm sure you could dig up some doozy's in the baptist ancestry that would make my hair stand on end.
Forgive me. As an objective reader and a pastoral care person, I found many of these posts to be derogatory. Some of you have seen me before. I've come with an open mind. I'm an open theist and wanted to learn more and learn how to apply these things to bless others. Is that we're doing on this board? Did we miss an opportunity to do that with Kenya and RD? Do we switch a little too fast to "attack mode" when others question us?
What is important about theology? Why do we discuss it? These are sincere questions. I guess I thought it was all about drawing closer to God, knowing Him more and being able to give a reason for "the hope that is within you." Theology is important, but I never want to communicate what I believe in such a way that all others hear is a clanging cymbal. You are brothers and sisters in Christ. I think the world is supposed to see that we are His disciples by how much we love one another.
I hoped that I would bring encouragement to this board. For the most part I'm a learner, new to all this. I was introduced to "God of the Possible about 2 years ago and have been reading and discovering and growing ever since and was truly delighted when I discovered this board about a month ago.
Did this thread get unravelled somewhere? Is this typical? I realize by posting this I am opening myself up for criticism as well. All I ask is that you remember there is a person behind this post - one that loves Jesus and loves others and wants to be a better disciple.
Couldn't we remember that when answering Kenya or RD? What is the rapid fire sarcasm and denegration all about? Is this a fight to the finish and if so, what are we fighting for? One of the catch phrases of my old denomination (S. Baptists) is "unity in diversity." I always loved that one. The phrase that gets tossed around in the non-denominational church I'm part of now is "mutual accountability, shared responsibility" I like that too.
I have one more word for you: Reconciliation That's why He came and that's what we're all about, isn't it? I don't have anyone here on a pedestal. I realize that I can say and do things that dishonour Christ and when I do, I expect to be accountable.
What do you think? I'm going out on a limb here (or at least it feels like it).
 (Thought I'd hide behind something cute now and hope for the best)
God Bless,
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
| | Back to Top | | |
|
Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 3/18/2004 4:26 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by moon_river_j
What is important about theology? Why do we discuss it? These are sincere questions. I guess I thought it was all about drawing closer to God, knowing Him more and being able to give a reason for "the hope that is within you." Theology is important, but I never want to communicate what I believe in such a way that all others hear is a clanging cymbal. You are brothers and sisters in Christ. I think the world is supposed to see that we are His disciples by how much we love one another.
Hello Jo-Anne and thank you,
I apologize to all those that have heard my clanging cymbal here at times.
I agree we don’t know God by our knowledge of eschatology, doctrines or theology. The truest indication and evidence of a disciple of Christ and that the Holy Spirit is dwelling inside us is by the fruit of the spirit in our hearts being displayed with love and charity towards others. To witness and testify is when we speak from within the heart with love flowing out to the tongue with healing words of kindness. Love is the distinguishing mark of a disciple of Christ and everything we aspire to become. We should sparkle and shine with love, we should turn outward towards others not inward towards ourselves. All those who don’t love don’t know God because God is love and anything short of love is not justifiable. Have intimacy (“IN” “2” “ME” “SEE”) with God so the world can see His love on display. Jesus great commandment was and is to love God and to love each other.
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
quote:
I hoped that I would bring encouragement to this board.
You have been a blessing to this board. Thank you!
The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of love, stay rooted and grounded in God’s love. Blessings, Mark
| | Back to Top | | |
|
1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 3/18/2004 4:43 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Laika
[quote]Originally posted by moon_river_j
(Thought I'd hide behind something cute now and hope for the best)
God Bless,
Jo-Anne
Jo-Anne, I editted out of that post a pre-amble where I gave the reasons for doing my own research on Calvin. On other threads, arguments had been going on about Calvin and what he had done to Servetus. Boyd had mentioned Bolsec as another victim and had been challenged on that. So I did some digging myself and posted what I did. Just the facts, ma'am. I'm a firm believer in people having as much information as possible. What's curious about some of the responses is that NO ONE bothered to refute these as facts, they only equated POSTING FACTS with JUDGING Calvin.
Please don't bump this thread anymore, thanx.
Hi Laika,
(Jo-Anne) It was what started this thread that I appreciated. I appreciated your sharing the facts that you did and was looking forward to this thread. If we could get back on track, that would be great.
God Bless,
Jo-Anne (and I don't understand what you mean by "bump this thread")
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
| | Back to Top | | |
| 82 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2 3 4 |
| Forum Information | Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 5:28 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads
|
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP3
dotNetBB © 2000-2026 |
|
|