Do Calvinists REALY Believe IN God as A puppet Master?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by JesusFan, Jul 6, 2011.

  1. JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    That He is the Master, we are His robotic slaves, compelled to obey Him against our will?
     
  2. jbh28 Active Member

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    no, that's only a straw man used.
     
  3. quantumfaith Active Member

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    I think it is a rather harsh and calloused manner of describing "hard determinism" held by some, usually reformed in theology. Better adjectives are

    hard determinist
    soft determinist
    libertarian
    open

    Just my opinion.
     
  4. Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    I think that is the way it appears to many who don't fully understand the more compatibistic explanations of how men make choices, which wouldn't be "against our will," but it would be casually determining one's nature/desires, which in turn would determine our will. IOW, they don't typically say that God makes people obey "against their will" but instead that he makes them willing by changing their nature/desires.

    I've actually heard some Calvinists respond to this charge as saying something like, "Well, better being a robot or slave than a lump of clay, which is what scripture compares us to."
     
  5. Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Skandelon, and others...

    Keep in mind.....In the bible the word doulas was a willing bondslave
    Christians are referred to in this way very often.....

    The Lord Jesus Christ.....is the Servant of The Lord....

    Being "made willing" is to our benefit...as we would never be in and of ourselves.