Hey, is there any truth to the rumour that Calvin:

[CanuckAmok]

IE the founder of the Calvinist Church, believes that the distance between God's perfection and man's failings is so great, that God must predestine people into salvation, otherwise none would be saved?

Kind of ruined "free will" for me.

[Spinzonner]

1. Doesn't that Hobble man somewhat ?

[CanuckAmok]

2. whew! Wish I'd said that.

dayum!

[LudwigVan]

3. Yup, I believe he taught that.

Being raised Protestant (but hardly a hardcore Calvinist), I can list the Five Points of Calvinism:

1) Man is completely fallen because of original sin, and free will alone cannot produce any good: total depravity.
2) God has predestined some to salvation: unconditional election.
3) Christ died only for the elect: limited atonement.
4) The work of the Holy Spirit will never fail to bring the elect to faith and repentance: irresitibility of grace.
5) Those who are called and chosen will not fall away: perseverence of the saints.

The downside of this: if you're not included in point 2 (presumably DU posters aren't), you're screwed no matter what you do or believe.

Martin Luther believed in the first two points, but not the others.

[KG]

4. why do some men pretend to understand the intentions of 'God'?

and why do other men blindly follow those men?