1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

John Calvin out of the closet?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by MichaelGene52, Jun 14, 2006.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. MichaelGene52

    MichaelGene52 New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2006
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    John Calvin's homosexuality? Oxford historical theologian and principal of the evangelical Wycliffe Hall, Alister McGrath, reviews The Early Reformation on the Continent by Owen Chadwick in the Times Literary Supplement (June 14). Noting that Calvin “attracted eulogy and vilification in equal measure,” McGrath writes: “Jerome Bolsec, with whom Calvin crossed swords in 1551, went on to publish a scurrilous (but highly entertaining) life of Calvin in 1577. His subject, according to Bolsec, was irredeemably tedious and malicious, bloodthirsty and frustrated. He treated his own words as if they were the word of God, and allowed himself to be worshipped by his followers. In addition to frequently engaging in homosexual activity, he had an undiscriminating habit of indulging himself sexually with any female within walking distance. Thus, according to Bolsec, Calvin resigned his benefices at Noyon on account of the public exposure of his homosexuality.” According to McGrath: “Bolsec's biography makes much more interesting reading than the more deferential biographies of Theodore Beza [Calvin's cohort who was, himself, accused of homosexuality] and Nicolas Colladon.”
    In Leiden historian Alastair Hamilton's review of Bernard Cottret's new Calvin biography (in the same issue of the TLS), he grants that “Despite the number of studies and biographies which continue to appear on John Calvin, the man himself remains elusive.” He affirms: “Calvin is all but entirely concealed behind his theological writings.”
    any thoughts?
     
  2. whatever

    whatever New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2004
    Messages:
    2,088
    Likes Received:
    1
    Yes, I have some thoughts. Do you know what an ad hominem is?
     
  3. Psalm 100

    Psalm 100 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2005
    Messages:
    123
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dude,

    Even though I don't agree with Calvinism, that was uncalled for. It's one thing to discuss (perceived or real) errors in doctrine, another thing to willfully attack and attach such shame to someone.
     
  4. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2001
    Messages:
    11,703
    Likes Received:
    2
    If that is true about Calvin, it is very important -- simply because the Bible says clearly that homosexuality is a result of worshiping the creature instead of the Creator (Romans 1) and that would put all of what Calvin wrote into serious question.

    If it is not true, it is ugly gossip and malicious defamation.
     
  5. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2004
    Messages:
    2,398
    Likes Received:
    0
    Wow!!!!

    Anybody who knows me knows I am not a calvinist-----but this is beyond the pale. Is this from a credible source? Remember there are "theologians", and I use that term loosely, who say Jesus and the disciples were homosexuals. I don't think it is right to put forth this kind of slander against a brother in Christ without substantial proof. Not one mans seemingly warped historical perspective. Where did this "historian" get his information?

    Bro Tony
     
  6. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2000
    Messages:
    17,527
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well,

    I did a search and found this bit of information:

    This from a Catholic source which is certainly not favorable toward Calvinism.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
  7. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2000
    Messages:
    17,527
    Likes Received:
    0
    It sure is a good thing for us that we don't worship Calvin and that the doctrines of grace did not originate with Calvin, but rather, came from the Word of God, if what this person says about Calvin is true. I have a suspicion that it is Godless slander from a hate-filled Arminian whose stated purpose in life is "stopping Calvinism".

    Joseph Botwinick
     
    #7 Joseph_Botwinick, Jun 15, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2006
  8. IronWill

    IronWill New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2006
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think this idea...and somebody else may be able to help me here on this, or else I'm in for a long bit of searching on Ask Jeeves tomorrow...but I think this is based on John Calvin's arrest and branding for "sodomy." If memory serves correctly, he was to be put to death for the act(whatever that specific act was), but his parent's pleaded the case with the local Bishop, and the Bishop intervened and had Calvin branded with a hot iron. This occured when Calvin was eighteen. Of course, let us remember that we do not know what the specifics of the charge were, and sodomy before this time didn't mean homesexuality only. Today, sodomy is equated with homosexuality, but that's not it's sole meaning, and certainly wasn't it's sole meaning four hundred years ago.
     
  9. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2005
    Messages:
    2,884
    Likes Received:
    0
    Condsidering the weight of historical evidence is against this, I think it should be considered as nothing but a malicious ad hominem attack.

    Strike one.
     
  10. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2005
    Messages:
    2,884
    Likes Received:
    0
    Again this seems to be a malcious thread aimed at causing strife.
     
  11. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2002
    Messages:
    3,385
    Likes Received:
    23
    Let me guess Helen, it only brings into question the part you don't agree with. Correct? Or deos it make everything Calvin believed false?
     
  12. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2002
    Messages:
    3,385
    Likes Received:
    23
    Yes, I have some thoughts. If Calvin's sexuality can questioned can yours? In searching for where you got this info I found one hit: http://andrejkoymasky.com/liv/fam/bioc1/calv3.html

    So is this where you got the info? If so, why are you searching through a gay web site? Why is the quote exactly the same as you posted?

    If not where did you get the quote? Does plagiarism bring into question your beliefs? Perhaps Helen can answer that for us.
     
  13. Ijiwaru Sensei

    Ijiwaru Sensei New Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2006
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, yes, and Jesus' father was named Panthera. :rolleyes:

    The best response to these feeble attacks should be :laugh:.
     
  14. Brother Bob

    Brother Bob New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,723
    Likes Received:
    0
    If it is untrue then it is a vicious attack on someone just because of his beliefs. If it is true then it should be made known because of all of his condemnation of others such a burning them at the stake, beatings etc.

    I for one would like the truth of the matter. The "Truth" will set you free, and that means from false accusations also.

    It reminds me of a false accusation against a Pastor of infidelity and destroyed that man. There are more ways than one to "murder" a person.

    I have no trouble whatsoever debating the Calvinist by Scripture and my beliefs, whether they rise or fall as long as they are the Scriptures, and what I believe they are saying. If it is true however, then once again it should be made known because of Calvin's judgement of others and burning them, killing them, beating them. If you live by the sword you shall die by the sword. I already had my feeling about him for how he destroyed everyone who did not agree with him. He was in power and he used it to put down all others.
     
    #14 Brother Bob, Jun 15, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2006
  15. Dustin

    Dustin New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2006
    Messages:
    696
    Likes Received:
    0
    it's sad the depths people will sink to just to sling mud on some dead guys theology that they don't agree with.
     
  16. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    4,145
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well said!
     
  17. Jarthur001

    Jarthur001 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2005
    Messages:
    5,701
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hummm....it is word for word his post. And...it is from a gay site.
    "things that make you go hummm"

    The truth...well the truth is...Gays try to link the whole world to them, for they think it will show their life style in great men of the past then it is ok to live in sin. Everytime I hear a story like this, its always over someone that is dead and has no say so. Gays would love to have Calvin in their camp, for if Calvin was one of them, Then it would seem one can be gay and a great man of God all at the same time.

    The said thing..... Calvin haters think it just maybe true. So..I guess the story worked on some.

    I still would like to know why someone is looking on a gay site to begin with.
     
  18. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    4,145
    Likes Received:
    0
    This was the same tactic Marsha Steven used getting her picture taken with Bill Gaither.
    Then she puts it on her web site and lies that he endorsed her music.

    Sodomites are sad, deranged people desperate for credibility.
     
  19. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    4,145
    Likes Received:
    0
  20. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2003
    Messages:
    3,944
    Likes Received:
    0
    This is vicious and un-called for, regardless of anyone's belief on Calvin's theology.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Loading...