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Does 'Non-Calvinisitic' theology really exalt the view of man?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Skandelon, Sep 7, 2011.

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  1. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    It is very common to hear the accusation from Calvinists that the non-Calvinistic view of man is exalting, or in some way makes mankind "better" than they really are. But may I suggest and make the case that the opposite is actually true:

    Consider the "insanity defense" in our judicial system. What is it based upon? It's the concept that a man who is born insane (i.e. uncontrollable chemical make up of his brain, etc) is not really responsible for his actions and thus is not really "guilty" though he may need to be locked away for treatment and care. Compare this with someone clearly rational and sane individual who commits a pre-meditated crime.​

    Now, which of these two criminals is worse? The one born unable to do anything except commit crimes because of his inherent illness or the one born normal who chooses to commit his crimes?

    According to our judicial system, and that of scripture, the worse individual is the latter, not the former, right? That is why the insane aren't deemed 'guilty' after all.

    Now, compare the Calvinist view of the natural/unbelieving man and the non-Calvinist view of the same:

    The Calvinist view has them born unable to willingly do anything except sin and reject any appeal to be reconciled to God, much like the insane. You may call him "responsible" but ultimately the reason he doesn't believe is because God didn't elect him and provide what was needed for him to choose otherwise.

    On the other hand, the non-Calvinist view of the unbeliever is more like the rational, sane criminal who commits the pre-meditated crime. God provided all that he needed to see, hear, and understand and thus he stands without a single excuse. God loves him, didn't want him to perish, made a sincere appeal to be reconciled and he rationally considered the truth and chose to trade it in for lies. He stands condemned for no other reason except that he chose to rebel and turn his back on an all loving, benevolent, and long-suffering Father.
    Thus, the view of the unbelieving man in the non-Calvinistic system is MUCH worse. You feel sorry for the man in the Calvinistic system because he couldn't help it. He wasn't chosen or regenerated. You pity him, but his rebellion is justified to some extent because he had absolutely no control over it. He is just like the insane man that we declare 'not-guilty' in our own judicial system.

    Therefore, I submit that Calvinism is the system guilty of exalting the view of man all the while lessoning the view of God by making Him ultimately responsible for the unbelievers rejection of his appeal to be reconciled by declaring that all inherit the "totally depraved/unable" nature from birth.
     
    #1 Skandelon, Sep 7, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2011
  2. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Actually, it gives most glory to God, as NONE of us deserve or are able to even get saved apart from the Lord takem compassion and pity on us and sending us the Grace and means to secure us "in Christ!"

    God ALWAYS initiated the salvation process, as he sought out Adam/Eve, selected out Abraham, chose isreal, chose Apostles etc, so its ALL of Him in the salvation process!
     
  3. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    JF, sorry, please go back and edit the quotes in your post to correctly reflect what words belong to you and me and then I can reply...
     
  4. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Consider the "insanity defense" in our judicial system. What is it based upon? It's the concept that a man who is born insane (i.e. uncontrollable chemical make up of his brain, etc) is not really responsible for his actions and thus is not really "guilty" though he may need to be locked away for treatment and care. Compare this with someone clearly rational and sane individual who commits a pre-meditated crime.
    Now, which of these two criminals is worse? The one born unable to do anything except commit crimes because of his inherent illness or the one born normal who chooses to commit his crimes?

    According to our judicial system, and that of scripture, the worse individual is the latter, not the former, right? That is why the insane aren't deemed 'guilty' after all.

    Now, compare the Calvinist view of the natural/unbelieving man and the non-Calvinist view of the same:


    Quote:
    The Calvinist view has them born unable to willingly do anything except sin and reject any appeal to be reconciled to God, much like the insane. You may call him "responsible" but ultimately the reason he doesn't believe is because God didn't elect him and provide what was needed for him to choose otherwise.



    Quote:
    Quote:

    On the other hand, the non-Calvinist view of the unbeliever is more like the rational, sane criminal who commits the pre-meditated crime. God provided all that he needed to see, hear, and understand and thus he stands without a single excuse. God loves him, didn't want him to perish, made a sincere appeal to be reconciled and he rationally considered the truth and chose to trade it in for lies. He stands condemned for no other reason except that he chose to rebel and turn his back on an all loving, benevolent, and long-suffering Father.



    Thus, the view of the unbelieving man in the non-Calvinistic system is MUCH worse. You feel sorry for the man in the Calvinistic system because he couldn't help it. He wasn't chosen or regenerated. You pity him, but his rebellion is justified to some extent because he had absolutely no control over it. He is just like the insane man that we declare 'not-guilty' in our own judicial system.


    Quote:
    Therefore, I submit that Calvinism is the system guilty of exalting the view of man all the while lessoning the view of God by making Him ultimately responsible for the unbelievers rejection of his appeal to be reconciled by declaring that all inherit the "totally depraved/unable" nature from birth.


    MINE answers are in the quotes, yours in the "other!"
     
  5. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    Actually, they are not... I give up. :wavey:
     
  6. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Let me be profound in responding to the OP.....NO
     
  7. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Flip side questrion might be this though:

    Does a non cal Sotierology in ANY way reduce down God as being the Lord and Soverieign in His dealings with man?
     
  8. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Are you REALLY serious with this? :tongue3:
     
  9. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    It's been demonstrated on the BB manifold times that non-cals have an inflated and exalted view of man and mans alleged "goodness." This has been proven by non-cals themselves on this board time and again.

    Such a view stands against multiple Scriptural passages and its (God's) indictment upon lost man. Moreover, this erroneous view fails to look upon man through Gods lens.

    Reformed theology, on the other hand, holds a Scriptural view of lost man and glorifies the nature of God in a more biblically concise manner.
     
  10. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    Yes EWF. It's a "serious" runon sentence filled with fallacy and is a blatantly false misrepresentation of the cal brethren. Even if his false view of cals were correct, it in no way exalts man to begin with! :laugh:
     
  11. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    It has ONLY been demonstrated in your mind and some who share your positions. That is all. This view is not erroneous, it does not stand against scripture. Reformed theology is but another view of mankind on the message and revelation of God. Calvinism is NOT the gospel. It may echo the gospel, it may seek to explain the Gospel, but it is not THE gospel, otherwise Jesus would have said, go into the world and preach calvinism.
     
  12. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    no Calvinist should even bother with this.:tongue3:
     
  13. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    Amen!

    :thumbsup:
     
  14. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    I'm not sure either of these descriptions of the 2 views are accurate:

    This explanation excludes the REASON that men are born unable to do anything but sin, that is, Adam's original sin that passed on the sin nature to the rest of us.

    Again, even non-calvinist accept that all people today reject God because of their inborn sin nature. So even most non-cals would not say that each individual person is a blank slate with the ability to choose good or evil.
    John Wesley (Arminian) knew that no one could come to God on their own, but believe that God granted prevenient grace to all people that gave them the initial ability to respond to the gospel, and then some chose to respond to that grace.
     
  15. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    :thumbs::thumbs:...........
     
  16. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    In no way could I have saved myself. When God called me, it was I who had to respond. When He called out to me in my sinful life, I rejected His call for years, because I didn't want to give up my life. One day, He called out to me, and I came to the realization of where my life was taking me to. I then began searching after Him, seeking His mercy and Grace. He reached down and pull me away from the gates of hell, and saved my soul. My life, I owe to Him!!!
     
  17. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
     
  18. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    I didn't exclude it...just didn't address it. Not every aspect of the doctrine must be addressed for the point to be made. In the Calvinistic system, God declared that the punishment for all mankind due to the fall was for every man to be born totally unable to do anything except reject God's appeal, which I argued is actually a HIGHER and EXALTED view of man because it gives man an excuse (like that of those who are insane, as explained in the OP).

    The non-Cals view of man is much less exalted because man doesn't have any excuse. Why? Because God has given them all they need and they rejected it, making their rebellion fully and totally their fault and not the result of God's punishment for something Adam did thousands of years before they were even born.

    No one to this point in the thread have addressed the merits of this argument.

    Of course we do, that is what I just said. The difference is the issue of total inability and irresistibility of God's gracious provisions.

    Yes, I know. That is what I said. They are all without excuse because of the Grace God provided making them able to come to faith, thus it is totally their own fault for resisting this gracious provision. Calvinists don't believe God has given all that is needed for men to be reconciled, thus they have an excuse for not coming. Therefore, the Calvinist view of man is exalted above our view of man.
     
  19. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Because MANY here seem to fail to understand the fall, and the results of inheriting sin nature/original Sin, and depravity of man!

    MANY refuse to even acknowledge that God needs to even provide ANY additional Grace appluied towards us as in Cal/Arm theologies, as we can still freely accept/reject jesus ourselves!
     
  20. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    Straw men always lead to awful conclusions. The idea that non-Calvinists exalt men is one of them.

    Another straw man is that Calvinists negate man's responsibility. Both are wrong. Believing either, just leads to talking at each other and tryng to win debating points.
     
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