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Is Calvinism essentially "Theistic Fatalism?"

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Earth Wind and Fire, Oct 14, 2014.

  1. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Interesting article:

    It starts as follows.....

    Arminian Charge: Calvinism is essentially Theistic Fatalism.

    Myth or Reality: According to Dictionary.com, fatalism is the doctrine whereby “all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable.” It is the “acceptance of the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable.” So does Calvinism teach that? Calvinism teaches that God predetermined the fate of all men by an immutable decree, such that from eternity past, every man’s “lot” in life has been “fixed and determined” by the “arbitrary power” of God.

    http://www.examiningcalvinism.com/files/Complaints/ac_fatalism.html
     
  2. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Oh, I am certain that Calvinists will object to the word "fate" and claim that no, Calvinism is not fatalism, but simply replace the word 'God' in that definition for 'fate' and you have Calvinism.

    Or they will redefine "fatalism" just like they redefine "all" and "whosoever" and "the whole world", but there is no getting around the fact that Calvinists believe that everything is predetermined and unalterable.

    I've been told on BB that my choice of lunch next Monday has been predetermined by God from eternity past. That is the very definition of "all things are predetermined by fa...,er God, and are unalterable.

    If an non-believer were to say that the future is set--what happens was going to happen no matter what--that would be called determinism. When an atheist says the future is set--what happens was going to happen no matter what--that would be called fatalism. When a believer says the future is set--what happens was going to happen no matter what--that would be called Calvinism.
     
    #2 InTheLight, Oct 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 14, 2014
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    So from your prospective, would you say the 'Puppet Master & Puppet' analogy has merit?
     
  4. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I've never liked that analogy, but there is some truth to it.
     
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    So do you believe that we are totally dependent on the mercy of God?
     
  6. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Of course. But if you are going to turn this into a Q&A path designed to get me to come around to Calvinism, I'm not playing. God did not predetermine that I'm having a beef burrito next Monday for lunch. With extra shredded cheese. And hot sauce.
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Now why would you say a thing like that? I'm merely looking for opinions that either challenge my own understanding of scripture or supports it....BTW, I am not a person that claims that Calvinism is the proper path & I find fault in it on many levels....so the post is definitely NOT designed to drive anyone in that direction. sorry to disappoint you.
     
  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    OK, sorry to imply that. Carry on.
     
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