Calvin led the reform in
Switzerland, and his teaching spread to the southwestern Germany and Holland
(the Reformed Church), to France (the Huguenots), and to Scotland, England, and
North America under the name of Presbyterianism. Calvin added to Luther’s
creed, teaching the concept of "predestination." To some extent,
Luther’s teachings preserved the unique position of Christianity, and Luther
speaks nothing of Judaism. In Calvinism, elements of Judaism and paganism are
so obvious that it is difficult to consider Calvinism Christian. "Divine
predestination," according to Calvin, is the idea that God had eternally
called some people to salvation, and others to eternal damnation, independent
of their will. Predestination to eternal salvation consists of a small group of
people selected by God, through the power of his comprehensible decision, apart
from their choice. On the other hand, no effort is possible to save those who
are predestined to eternal damnation. Good or evil deeds serve for the
fulfillment of predestination and merely fulfill what has already been decided.
If this notion is true, for what purpose did Jesus Christ so thoroughly teach
us how to live and strive to advance in the narrow way? What is the meaning of
prayer, confession, and correction of our ways?
Calvinism consists of a single statement from the writing of Apostle Paul
(in Romans Chapter 9) taken out of context from the entire text — a fragment —
and this is the basis for Calvin’s teaching of predestination. The true meaning
of this passage can be understood only in connection with the meaning of the
entire chapter, in which the apostle states that justification is not the
property of the Jewish people. "For they are not all Israel, which are of
Israel, neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children of
Abraham . . ." (Rom. 9:6-7). Here the apostle speaks against the Jews, who
considered the gentiles rejected by God, and exclusively themselves the
children of the Kingdom of Heaven (by the creation and the law of Moses). The
apostle contends that the saving grace of God permeates all people, and God
calls to salvation not only the Jews but also the gentiles. The teaching of
Calvin is influenced in part by Judaism, which holds that only the elect of God
are predestined to salvation and the rest doomed to damnation. However, the
Word of God teaches that, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of
God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3-4); and "the Lord is not slack
concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering
toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
The teaching of Calvin contradicts the understanding of the Holiness of God.
In connection with this understanding it appears that God is guilty of cruelty
and of playing favorites, electing from eternity some to salvation and others
to damnation. There is pagan influence in this teaching of destiny. Calvin thus
brings an indifferent attitude towards good and evil deeds, rejecting man’s
freedom of will, and considering sin natural and unavoidable. According to this
thinking, no battle may be fought effectively against sin, because prayer and
repentance are useless. Calvin rejects the precepts of Christianity and
considers the Sacraments merely symbolic, teaching that the transubstantiation
of the Body and Blood of Christ is not a reality.
In Scotland, Calvinism (Presbyterianism) became the accepted faith of the
governmental parliament in 1592. Presbyterians, under the name of
"Puritans" requested of the King of England the freedom to worship in
their faith. Eventually, they began to emigrate, first to Holland and then to
the American colonies, to escape the authorities in England.
Rejecting such symbols as the Cross, the Sign of the Cross during baptism,
and other outwardly Traditional Christian practices, they forged a sect which
was quite new. Further, the structure of Presbyterianism consists of a church
congregation who elect their own clergy. The role of bishop is nonexistent.
Worship consists of listening to prayers created by the presbyters, a sermon,
and the singing of psalms. Communion was served on one long table, weddings
were held at home, and prayers for the dead were also read at home. There are
no icons, and both the Creed and the traditional liturgical prayers are
changed.
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