Baptist_Pastor/Theologian
New Member
GordonSlocum said:But there you go again accusing Free Willers of making God a robot to man. :godisgood: Free Willers don’t believe that nor do they promote man in control of God. :thumbs:
This issue as I see it: If a Fatalist accepts the meaning Free Willers use then “Fatalism” dies.The Shell is not Free Will but Fatalism,jor Philosophical Calvinism, which causes the sickness known as Tulipitis. Tulipitis can be CURED.
Fatalist continue to force their definitions on common understanding and meaning. As long as Fatalist can continue this the debate with false “definitions” the debate will go on. Bible Believers are obliged to counter these false claims and combat the fatalitistic "shell" which is a philosophical man made prideful argument.
I am not sure where you are getting your terminology but I would like to offer you a correction or two. First, fatalism is a godless philosophy that says what ever will be will be. The impersonal force known as fate is often referred to as the force that ultimately controls our future. But fatalism should be distinguished from determinism. Determinism is system that recognizes the existance of cause and effect. If you do this then that will happen. In a deterministic system it can be known before hand what will eventually happen due to the nature of cause and effect.
God has set in place a deterministic system. The future is known to God and therefore it is already set. However the events that lead up to the future are very much subject to cause and effect. Those who ultimately believe in Jesus as their Savior are the ones who are elect. Both Arminians and Calvinist agree on that much. What is in question is the how, that is how do they come to that knowledge and belief. There in lies the entire debate and as I have suggested the truth is found only in the mind of God. Both sides feel they are of the right mind but it is open to interpretation because both sides have based their understanding on Scripture.
Which brings up my second point. For you to suggest that Calvinism is philosophical system analogous to fatalism is absurd. For one, the best and brightest theologians historically have been Calvinist, Augustine, Calvin, Knox, Strong, Dagg, Murray, Carl Henry, etc. So for you to suggest that Calvinism is philosophical system implies a certain secular leaning or absence of Biblical truth or a reliance reason over Biblical truth. Also, it is extreme unfair as well as uninformed of you to make that assertion since the system known as Calvinism is attempt to genuinely wrestle with the Bible. Arminianism is a system just a Calvinism is a system that attempts to formulate an overall view salvation based on what the Bible teaches. The Calvinist have a hermeneutical approach that differs from the Arminians but that makes them no less Biblical.