THE SPIRIT OF CALVINISM!

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,  after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8).

The doctrinal tangle between traditional Christianity and the Reformed tradition (Calvinism) presents a difficult dilemma for a number of Christians. Calvinism appears to have some superficial agreement with the scriptures, but in reality there are lethal differences. (2 Corinthians 11:4). The acronym TULIP represents the main points of Reformed theology: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. All five points are interrelated into one system and effectually reverse the "good news" of the Gospel into very bad news for the majority of people. The false doctrine of limited atonement is the teaching that God has predestined some fallen humans (the elect) to salvation and eternal life, and others to damnation and everlasting punishment in hell.

The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:3-14.

The Calvinist definition of predestination is contained within the Westminster Confession of Faith:

VI. As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so has He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto.[12] Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,[13] are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,[14] and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation.[15] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.[16]

VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extends or withholds mercy, as He pleases, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.[17] {1} 

Pastor Kevin Thompson, Beyond the Fundamentals, gives us the biblical definition:

"By predestination we mean the predetermined redemptive plan of God to justify, sanctify and glorify whosoever freely believes. All people are created with equal value as image bearers of God. Because God desires mercy over justice and self-sacrificially loves everyone, He has graciously provided the means of salvation to every man, woman, boy and girl. No person is created for damnation, or predetermined by God to that end. Those who perish only do so because they refused to accept the truth so as to be saved.” {2}  

I have always held the traditional view that God earnestly desires all people everywhere to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4). The verses below indicate that everyone is invited to respond to the gospel message:

John the Baptist testified about Jesus Christ... that all might believe through him. (John 1:7).

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 3:18).

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:39-40).

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 4:10). See also John 3:36; 5:24; 6: 29, 35,40, 47; 12:32; Hebrews 3:19; 1 John 2:2; 3:23; 5:10.

It takes some serious scripture twisting to make bible verses fit into the false doctrine of Calvinism.

Below are a few samples of alleged Calvinist "proof texts" for limited atonement:

*And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48).

The Expositors Greek Testament: "..there is no countenance here for the absolutum decretum of the Calvinists, since Acts 13:46 had already shown that the Jews had acted through their own choice. The words are really nothing more than a corollary of St. Paul’s ἀναγκαῖον: the Jews as a nation had been ordained to eternal life—they had rejected this election—but those who believed amongst the Gentiles were equally ordained by God to eternal life, and it was in accordance with His divine appointment that the Apostles had turned to them." {3}

It is possible to take the verb τεταγμένοι (τάσσω) "appointed" as either middle or passive. Such an interpretation in the middle voice might read: ..as many who were disposed.. (see Acts 20:13). Acts 18:6 has the same verb τάσσω in the negative: ..they set themselves against/resisted.. (ἀντιτασσομένων). Other examples of the middle voice include Matthew 28:16; Luke. 7:8; Acts 15:2; 18:6; 22:10; 28:23; Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 16:15.

Notice that the Jews rejection of the gospel was of their own volition: Acts:13:46; 18:6; 28:27.

Calvinist Strongholds: Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-34:

* 4 ..even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:4-5).

The phrase "us in him" is a corporate statement about believers in general. This verse does not refer to specific individuals "chosen" before the foundation of the world. The election of believers is actualized in Him. The phrase: “before the foundation of the world”, is applied elsewhere specifically to the eternal communion of the Son with the Father (John 17:24). Paul does not say that God chose us to be in Him, rather he says God chose us in Him to be holy and blameless. In other words: From the foundation of the world God predestined whoever is in Christ to become holy and blameless in his sight.

* 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Verse 13 specifies precisely when we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and included "in Him" i.e. upon conversion, not "before the foundation of the world". This verse also confirms that hearing plus faith precedes conversion. Calvinism reverses the order and has conversion preceding faith. Verse 14 has significant future implications ..we have not yet taken full possession of our inheritance. (Ephesians 5:27; Romans 8:30).

The word “chosen” is used of Jesus' choice of the twelve apostles (John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:16-19). The exception, Judas Iscariot, chosen to the office of apostle, leaves us with a difficulty unless we allow for free will. (John 17:12). There may be another explanation. The Pharisess were identified as being.. of their father the devil. (John 8:44). However Judas is identified as an actual devil: "..one of you IS a devil." (John 6:70). 

* 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are  called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30).

Verse 28: "those who love God", is non-specific, i.e. it does not refer to particular individuals, rather it refers in a general sense to those who have previously repented and believed the gospel. In Calvinism, "effectual call" is the doctrine also known as “irresistible grace", but when Paul uses the word "called" in his letters, he addresses those who have responded to the call i.e. believers, rather than those who are invited to respond to the gospel message. Verse 29 and 30 are specific. Now Paul refers to those who have repented and are known and foreknown; these particular individuals are predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son i.e. the last stage in salvation, the glorification of the saints.

Christians should not allow false teachers to wrongly interpret the complexities contained within Paul's letters. There are some things in them (Paul's letters) that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:16 cf. Acts 20:29; 2 Timothy 2:15). An overwhelming number of passages/verses support the view that the gospel is an open invitation that everyone is capable of responding to.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160).

The following verses confirm free will and human responsibility:

Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22).

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18).

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. (1 John 5:10). See also: John 7:17, Joshua 24:15; John 1:12-13; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; James 1:13-16; 2 Timothy 2:26 etc. etc.

I wonder what the Apostle Paul would have to say about the Calvinist interpretation of atonement if he were with us. I think he would be horrified by his words being taken in such a way!

Historically Scotland played an important part in the spread of Calvinism to England and North America through the Presbyterian denomination. These days Calvinism is undergoing a resurgence and is not limited to the Presbyterians. The despicable practice of "stealth Calvanism", poses an ominous threat to traditional Southern Baptist churches in the US. (4) Here in the UK, we have our own infestation of New Calvinism, courtesy (amongst others) of the ecumenical Church of England. Richard Coekin, Director of the Co-Mission group of churches in south east London has been promoting New Calvinism for the last decade. The keynote speaker at this year's London Men’s Convention on the 2nd of June will be false teacher John Piper. {5} 

John Piper: "The intellectual appeal of the system of Calvinism draws a certain kind of intellectual person.. ..Do Calvinists want to make everybody else Calvinists? Absolutely we do!" {6}

Piper rightly defines Calvinism as a "system". Calvinism is actually a philosophical system. The suggestion that God favours intellectuals is a thinly veiled appeal to the flesh and to worldly pride! (1 Corinthians 1:19-28; Matthew 19:14). Much could be said about John Piper, his ecumenical associations and his false teachings! Very briefly:

*Piper is a seven point Calvinist.. he has added "double predestination", and "the best-of-all-possible worlds", for good measure. {7]
*Piper falsely teaches supersessionism (replacement theology).
*"John Piper opened up Warrengate when he made a mistake by inviting Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren to be a keynote speaker at the Desiring God Conference 2010." {8}
*Piper promotes the false teaching known as "Christian Hedonism".
*Piper led the ancient spiritual Roman Catholic monastic mystical practice of Lectio Divina at Passion 2012 with Louis Giglio, Francis Chan and Beth Moore. He has since apologised and removed this material from his website. {9}
*Regarding Pipers Book: A Hunger for God, Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer: "But of even greater concern is that Piper draws from a number of disturbing sources. There are spiritual formation leaders such as Richard Foster (pp. 19, 58, 202-203) and Dallas Willard (pp. 203-204), Roman Catholic priests and monks (p. 210), and the Desert Fathers and early church mystics from which much of modern fasting practices originate (p. 210)." {10}

*The negative effect of Piper's theistic determinism in a counselling situation has recently been highlighted by Leighton Flowers. {11} * I have reservations about including Flowers material, and I only include it here because his rebuttal against Calvinism is very good technically. Flowers advice to look to ourselves and our own past experiences if we are struggling with unbelief, is, in my view, unsound. The antidote to error is truth. (John 8:32, 36; Mathew 11:28).

The spirit of Calvinism seeks to destroy true biblical faith and replace it with a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6 cf. 1 John 4:6). The severe warning of Colossians 2:8 indicates that critically, the true faith once for all delivered to the saints, is under attack from such "systems". (Jude 1:3). KJV: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit", or as the AV has it "take you captive", i.e. to lead away as booty, i.e. (figuratively) seduce - spoil. The Greek verb συλαγωγέω = "I plunder, lead captive; met: I make victim by fraud." {12}

BEWARE OF CALVINISM! (1 Timothy 4:1).

{1}   http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/
{2}   http://beyondthefundamentals.com/Document_Files/Predestination_Presentation.pdf
{3}   http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/acts/13.htm
(4)   http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2014/07/beware-of-stealth-calvinism/
{5}   https://christianconventions.org.uk/lmc/convention
{6}   https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-are-calvinists-so-negative
{7]   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-piper-mean-when-he-says-hes-a-seven-point-calvinist
{8}   http://apprising.org/2010/04/07/crosstalk-bob-dewaay-on-warrengate-and-john-piper/
{9}   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-system-for-praying-in-2012
{10}  http://tottministries.org/a-hunger-for-god-desiring-god-through-fasting-and-prayer-by-john-piper-wheaton-crossway-1997-pp-239-paper-10-99/
{11}  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz2emj_LSx0  *
{12}  http://biblehub.com/greek/4812.htm

WRANGLING OVER WRATH BY DAVE MACPHERSON

     End-time wrath in the Bible is hardly my favourites topic. But since it is there, my earlier work entitled "The Incredible Cover-Up" will be happy to share the following thoughts about it:

     Pretribs teach that the church will never experience God's wrath (the various rapture views heartily agree) and quote verses like John 5:24, Romans 5:9 and 8:1, and also quote I Thessalonians 1:10 and 5:9 to try to prove the church's exemption from the tribulation.

     Do these verses really teach a pretrib escape?

     John 5:24 speaks of the "condemnation" that never comes to one who passes "from death unto life."

     Romans 5:9 tells of being "saved from wrath" - the wrath that one escapes when he or she is "justified by his blood."

     Romans 8:1 assure those "in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" that they are no longer under "condemnation."

     I Thessalonians 1:10 refers to "Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." Any wrath from which Jesus delivers, such as second coming wrath on the ungodly or eternal wrath of Hell, is not the Satanic wrath which gives the tribulation its bad reputation.

     Even tribulation saints in the middle of persecution can stand on this verse and rest assured that a much greater wrath will eventually overtake their persecutors - a wrath that no one can withstand.

     I Thessalonians 5:9 says that "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." If I wanted to reverse this text, I could say that Satan hasn't appointed us to salvation, but to obtain wrath. The opposite of salvation is not merely a time of tribulational testing, but the eternal wrath of God.

     Even E. Schuyler English in his pretrib book "Re-Thinking the Rapture," pp. 56-7, admits that the last clause of I Thessalonians 1:10 is better rendered "who is delivering us from the wrath to come." He adds that this verse doesn't prove the pretrib view.

     Most of the pretrib leaders do know the difference between Satanic and godly wrath. But if their followers don't know the difference, they can easily be convinced of a pretrib rapture with verses like I Thessalonians 1:10.

     If the tribulation is primarily Satanic wrath (from which no believer is ever immune), pretrib promoters can best succeed in getting followers by giving the false impression that all tribulational wrath is divine wrath.

     Indeed, in "The Rapture Question" (billed as a "comprehensive" biblical study) John Walvoord omits any mention of Revelation 12:12 which says that "the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath...."

     Even if all tribulation wrath were exclusively divine wrath (which it isn't), God would have no more difficulty in distinguishing between the bad guys and the good guys than  He had when He visited Egypt with plagues.

     Actually, posttrib authors like Ladd, Payne, and Gundry (and others whose end-times views are similar) can see divine wrath commencing at the end of the tribulation - certainly not at or near the start of the tribulation, as pretribs would like to claim.

     Payne's "The Imminent Appearing of Christ," p. 172, contains a chart showing that all of the trumpet and bowl judgments (which seem to mark the commencement of God's wrath) immediately preceding the appearing of Christ could happen in as little as fifteen minutes. And these judgments are directed only towards the ungodly - never at God's holy people.

     Well, this is my brief take on the subject of wrath. What's yours?

CALVINISM: THE HORRIBLE DECREE

John Calvin was a second generation reformer born in 1509 in Noyon, northern France. He was a young man of about twenty six years old and a recent convert to Protestantism when he wrote his first edition of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. Soon after its publication, Calvin began his ministry in Geneva, Switzerland. He revised and expanded the Institutes over a number of years, until the fifth and final edition was published in 1559. Calvin got much of his inspiration for the Institutes from Augustine of Hippo, the founder of Roman Catholicism.

There is no evidence that Calvin was actually a born again believer. (Matthew 7:15-20). He is said to have been strongly devoted to Roman Catholicism as a youth and he trained for the priesthood at the Collège de Montaigu until around 1530. It is unlikely that Calvin's break from the RCC was based on theological differences or a heart for reform. Rather his withdrawal from the college appears to have been the result of a conflict between his father and the cathedral chapter of Noyon over a business matter in 1527. Calvin's father and older brother were excommunicated in 1528. As a result, Calvin's benefices and expectations became uncertain. In other words, Calvin's departure from the college was an inevitable consequence of these events. Calvin's father subsequently enrolled him in the University of Orleans to study law.

The basis of Calvin's soteriology was double predestination aka limited atonement:

Calvin: "All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death." {1} 

Calvin's doctrine of double predestination was taken directly from Augustine, whom he frequently referred to and directly quoted in his writings. It appears that Augustine's flawed teaching on predestination was an overreaction to the error of Pelagius and was a throwback to Gnostic Manichaeism. Critically, Augustinian predestination was not taught for the first 300 years of the early church period, as the writings of a considerable number of influential early church fathers demonstrates. {2}

Calvin: "The decree is dreadful indeed, I confess. (Decretum quidem horribile, fateor)."  - the horrible degree. Double predestination is extremely problematic and differs from the plain teaching of the bible in a number of key respects:

* everyone who believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).

* everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21).

* God commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30). 

* The Lord.. is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).

* God desires all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4). 

* Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:6).
* He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2).

Calvin's mandatory implementation of his version of Christianity upon Geneva pre-empted even God Himself, or rather Calvin's idea of God. Following Augustine's example, Calvin literally forced "regeneration" upon the populace by his own, rather than God's "sovereign" intervention! In November 1552, the Council declared Calvin's Institutes to be "a holy doctrine which no man might speak against", hence Calvin became known as "the Pope of Geneva". Failure to become one of the "elect" was punishable by death or expulsion from Geneva. Failure to attend church was a punishable offence and all entertainments and shows were banned outright.

Calvin's compulsive implementation of paedobaptism (infant baptism) is a further indication of his flawed understanding of soteriology. Calvin denied that a conscious decision was necessary in order to become a believer, and he viciously overruled any objections from the Anabaptists. Protestants were known to “baptize” Anabaptist "heretics" by drowning them in rivers! Calvin defined baptism as: "..the sign of the initiation by which we are received into the society of the church, in order that, engrafted in Christ, we may be reckoned among God's children."

Free-will, a dirty word to Calvinists, was expunged... and so proceeded Calvin's rule of terror. Calvin's vile actions even contradicted his own writings:

Calvin: "..the kind of drawing, it is not violent, so as to compel men by external force; but still it is a powerful impulse of the Holy Spirit, which makes men willing who formerly were unwilling and reluctant." {3}

CALVIN'S STATEMENTS SUPPORTING PERSECUTION
Prefatory Address in his Institutes to Francis, King of the French, 1536. "But when I perceived that the fury of certain bad men had risen to such a height in your realm, that there was no place in it for sound doctrine, I thought it might be of service if I were in the same work both to give instruction to my countrymen, and also lay before your Majesty a Confession, from which you may learn what the doctrine is that so inflames the rage of those madmen who are this day, with fire and sword, troubling your kingdom. For I fear not to declare, that what I have here given may be regarded as a summary of the very doctrine which, they vociferate, ought to be punished with confiscation, exile, imprisonment, and flames, as well as exterminated by land and sea. This, I allow, is a fearful punishment which God sends on the earth; but if the wickedness of men so deserves, why do we strive to oppose the just vengeance of God?"
Letter to William Farel, February 13, 1546. "If he [Servetus] comes [to Geneva], I shall never let him go out alive if my authority has weight."
Letter to the Lord Protector of Somerset, adviser to King Edward VI, October 22, 1548. "[They] well deserve to be repressed by the sword which is committed to you, seeing that they attack not the King only, but God who has seated him upon the throne, and has entrusted to you the protection as well of His person as of His majesty."
Letter of August 20, 1553, one week after Servetus arrest. "I hope that Servetus will be condemned to death."
Defense of Orthodox Faith against the Prodigious Errors of the Spaniard Michael Servetus, published in early 1554. "Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death will knowingly and willingly incur their very guilt. This is not laid down on human authority; it is God who speaks and prescribes a perpetual rule for his Church. It is not in vain that he banishes all those human affections which soften our hearts; that he commands paternal love and all the benevolent feelings between brothers, relations, and friends to cease; in a word, that he almost deprives men of their nature in order that nothing may hinder their holy zeal. Why is so implacable a severity exacted but that we may know that God is defrauded of his honour, unless the piety that is due to him be preferred to all human duties, and that when his glory is to be asserted, humanity must be almost obliterated from our memories? Many people have accused me of such ferocious cruelty that I would like to kill again the man I have destroyed. Not only am I indifferent to their comments, but I rejoice in the fact that they spit in my face."
Preface to Commentaries, July 22, 1557. "To these irreligious characters. and despisers of the heavenly doctrineŠ. I think that there is scarcely any of the weapons which are forged in the workshop of Satan, which has not been employed by them in order to obtain their object. And at length matters had come to such a state, that an end could be put to their machinations in no other way than cutting them off by an ignominious death; which was indeed a painful and pitiable spectacle to me. They no doubt deserved the severest punishment, but I always rather desired that they might live in prosperity, and continue safe and untouched; which would have been the case had they not been altogether incorrigible, and obstinately refused to listen to wholesome admonition."
Comments on Ex. 22:20, Lev. 24:16, Deut. 13:5-15, 17:2-5. "Moreover, God Himself has explicitly instructed us to kill heretics, to smite with the sword any city that abandons the worship of the true faith revealed by Him."
Letter to the Marquis Paet, chamberlain to the King of Navarre, 1561. "Honour, glory, and riches shall be the reward of your pains; but above all, do not fail to rid the country of those scoundrels [Anabaptists and others], who stir up the people to revolt against us. Such monsters should be exterminated, as I have exterminated Michael Servetus the Spaniard."

PERSECUTIONS AT CALVIN'S GENEVA
The Minutes Book of the Geneva City Council, 1541-59 (translated by Stefan Zweig, Erasmus: The Right to Heresy):
"During the ravages of the pestilence in 1545 more than twenty men and women were burnt alive for witchcraft.
From 1542 to 1546 fifty-eight judgements of death and seventy-six decrees of banishment were passed.
During the years 1558 and 1559 the cases of various punishments for all sorts of offences amounted to four hundred and fourteen.
One burgher smiled while attending a baptism: three days imprisonment.
Another, tired out on a hot summer day, went to sleep during a sermon: prison.
Some workingmen ate pastry at breakfast: three days on bread and water.
Two burghers played skittles: prison.
Two others diced for a quarter bottle of wine: prison.
A blind fiddler played a dance: expelled from the city.
Another praised Castellio's translation of the Bible: expelled from Geneva.
A girl was caught skating, a widow threw herself on the grave of her husband, a burgher offered his neighbour a pinch of snuff during divine service: they were summoned before the Consistory, exhorted, and ordered to do penance.
Some cheerful fellows at Epiphany stuck a bean into the cake: four-and-twenty hours on bread and water.
A couple of peasants talked about business matters on coming out of church: prison.
A man played cards: he was pilloried with the pack of cards hung around his neck.
Another sang riotously in the street: was told 'they could go and sing elsewhere,' this meaning he was banished from the city.
Two bargees had a brawl: executed.
A man who publicly protested against the reformer's doctrine of predestination was flogged at all the crossways of the city and then expelled.
A book printer who in his cups [columns] had railed at Calvin, was sentenced to have his tongue perforated with a red-hot iron before being expelled from the city.
Jacques Gruent was racked and then executed for calling Calvin a hypocrite.
Each offence, even the most paltry, was carefully entered in the record of the Consistory, so that the private life of every citizen could unfailingly be held up against him in evidence." (See Pike, pp. 61-63).

Sources quoted in Philip Schaff's History of the Christian Church, vol. 8:
"The death penalty against heresy, idolatry and blasphemy and barbarous customs of torture were retained. Attendance at public worship was commanded on penalty of three sols. Watchmen were appointed to see that people went to church. The members of the Consistory visited every house once a year to examine the faith and morals of the family. Every unseemly word and act on the street was reported, and the offenders were cited before the Consistory to be either censured and warned, or to be handed over to the Council for severer punishment."
Several women, among them the wife of Ami Perrin, the captain-general, were imprisoned for dancing.
A man was banished from the city for three months because on hearing an ass bray, he said jestingly 'He prays a beautiful psalm.'
A young man was punished because he gave his bride a book on housekeeping with the remark: 'This is the best Psalter.'
Three men who laughed during a sermon were imprisoned for three days.
Three children were punished because they remained outside of the church during the sermon to eat cakes.
A man who swore by the 'body and blood of Christ' was fined and condemned to stand for an hour in the pillory on the public square.
A child was whipped for calling his mother a thief and a she-devil.
A girl was beheaded for striking her parents.
A banker was executed for repeated adultery.
A person named Chapuis was imprisoned for four days because he persisted in calling his child Claude (a Roman Catholic saint) instead of Abraham.
Men and women were burnt to death for witchcraft. (See Pike, pp. 55,56).

From Other Sources:
Belot, an Anabaptist was arrested for passing out tracts in Geneva and also accusing Calvin of excessive use of wine. With his books and tracts burned, he was banished from the city and told not to return on pain of hanging (J.L. Adams, The Radical Reformation, pp. 597-598).
Martin Luther said of Calvin's actions in Geneva, "With a death sentence they solve all argumentation" (Juergan L. Neve, A History of Christian Thought, vol. I, p. 285).

"About the month of January 1546, a member of the Little Council, Pierre Ameaux, asserted that Calvin was nothing but a wicked man - who was preaching false doctrine. Calvin felt that his authority as an interpreter of the Word of God was being attacked: he so completely identified his own ministry with the will of God that he considered Ameaux's words as an insult to the honour of Christ. The Magistrates offered to make the culprit beg Calvin's pardon on bended knees before the Council of the Two Hundred, but Calvin found this insufficient. On April 8, Ameaux was sentenced to walk all round the town, dressed only in a shirt, bareheaded and carrying a lighted torch in his hand, and after that to present himself before the tribunal and cry to God for mercy" (F. Wendel, Calvin, pp. 85, 86).
Compiled by Jack Moorman {4}

How anyone would want to be associated with the name of Calvin after becoming acquainted with the history is staggering! Calvinism, whether Five Point Calvinism (TULIP), New Calvinism, Partial Calvinism, or whatever "ism" it is known by, is not based on the Holy Scriptures. (Galatians 5:9).

I have spent some time reading the material of former five point Calvinist, Dr Leighton Flowers, and also watching some of the exchanges between Flowers and his adversaries on YouTube. {5}

Flowers puts forward a compelling view of what he calls the "traditional" approach as against Calvinism, and he exegetes some of the scriptural passages very well. While I agree with Flowers technically, I have a huge problem with his excessive forbearance towards leaders who are aggressively pushing the Calvinist agenda. Sometimes it seems that Flowers would rather condemn those who call out false teachers than the false teachers themselves! A number of people involved in apologetics are called to.. contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3). "Winning the argument", in human terms, as Flowers puts it, is the last thing they are interested in doing! I find Flowers reductionism and his condemnation of those speaking out against apostasy highly offensive! Perhaps more attention to the damage being done to the flock might be in order! (Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:3). The practice of "Stealth Calvinism" is particularly despicable i.e. the Founders Ministries advice to Calvinistic pastors to avoid full disclosure while interviewing in order to gain leadership positions! {6}

Flowers advice to those finding themselves under the authority of a Calvinist pastor who has insidiously taken over leadership of a "traditional" church: ".. bear with the pastor and pray for him ... ask questions, be patient, serve him, support him and to speak to him.." {7}. This counsel seems very tolerant and loving, but is it? Paul warned about the problem of false teachers who creep in unnoticed. (2 Peter 2:1). If a man has hidden his Calvinism prior to taking up a position as a pastor, then his personal integrity comes into grave question. (Luke 16:10). An elder should be above reproach and an example to the flock. (1 Timothy 4:12). ..to hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:6-9 cf. James 3:1). The new pastor has created the problem, not those who are upset by his teaching. Not everyone is strong (Romans 14:1); and yet all will be obliged to come under the authority of, and be subject to, false teaching.. actually a different gospel. (Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 11:4). Must a whole congregation suffer and be sacrificed because of one man's dishonesty? (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). I thought that shepherds were supposed to lay down their lives for the flock, not the reverse! (John 10:12-13). I do not think that Flowers would have got on very well with some of the advice the apostle Paul gave at times! (Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 11:13). My advice is to politely ask questions, at the beginning, and obviously to pray. After patiently exhausting the possibility of a resolution, failure to act decisively is tantamount to putting up with another gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). The sad fact is that Calvinism does split churches, and there comes a time when separation becomes inevitable. (2 Corinthians 6:17).

One teacher I highly recommend is Pastor Kevin G. Thompson: Beyond The Fundamenals. {8} Thompson takes a very strong position and calls out Calvinism for exactly what it is - philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition.. (Colossians 2:8). It is disappointing that Thompson has not applied the same rigorous exegesis to the pre-trib rapture debate. I am sure he would change his mind to embrace the pre-wrath position if he did.

{1} http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.v.xxii.html
{2} https://bjorkbloggen.com/2012/05/08/quotes-from-old-church-fathers-supporting-free-will-and-objecting-to-the-sinful-nature/
{3} http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom34.xii.vii.html
{4} http://www.a-voice.org/tidbits/calvinp.htm
{5} https://soteriology101.com/
{5} https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPRJ7X3hyFvm-3Jo8rVWYOw
{6} https://player.fm/series/soteriology-101-former-calvinistic-professor-discusses-doctrines-of-salvation/stealth-calvinism-and-pastor-search-committees
{7} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RxcEGCh_Hc
{8} http://beyondthefundamentals.com/calvinism-defeated.html

FORMER MEMBER OF JESUS ARMY CULT JAILED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES

A 57-year-old former member of Northamptonshire's Jesus Army has been jailed for historic sex offences dating back to the 1990s.

Former member of the Bugbrooke-based Christian organisation Alan Carter has been handed a three-year sentence for crimes dating back to the early 1990s.

Operation Lifeboat was launched in 2015.

The 57-year-old, who was living in Swansea at the time of his arrest, faced seven charges of indecent assault against a male and a further charge of buggery when he appeared at Northampton Crown Court last Wednesday.

Carter was a member of the Jesus Army at the time of the offences.

The conviction was part of Operation Lifeboat, launched in 2015 to look into historic sex offences at the organisation, founded in the late-1960s by firebrand preacher Noel Stanton.

Detective Chief Inspector Ally White from Northamptonshire Police, said: “I welcome Carter’s conviction and I hope it demonstrates that Northamptonshire Police takes all allegations of abuse seriously, whether recent or historic and that there can be a successful prosecution brought against non-recent offences of this nature.

“The people who have come forward to report historic abuse to us have shown tremendous courage in doing so and we would not have been able to secure convictions like this one if it wasn’t for the information they provided us with - information that has often involved bringing up painful memories.

“The emotional and psychological damage abuse can do to a person can be extensive and often has an impact on them for the whole of their lives.

"I want to remind people that our door is always open – Northamptonshire Police will always investigate allegations of abuse and I encourage people to take the step and report it to us. We can also refer victims of abuse to Voice – a confidential support service.

“If you would like to make a report to us, please call us on 101 or alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Carter's conviction was the third as part of Operation Lifeboat.

Last year, Nigel Perkins, 56, from Cornwall, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child under the age of 14.

He also received a three-year sentence and was made to sign the sex offender register for life.

By Paul Lynch, Northampton Chronicle. 24th April 2018.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/former-member-of-northamptonshire-s-jesus-army-member-jailed-for-historic-sex-offences-1-8473622

THE VATICAN AND THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION: WHAT'S THE DEAL?

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13).

The meetings between the Pope and various New Apostolic Reformation leaders in 2016 is contradictory in many ways, not least because both parties claim the exclusive right to apostolic authority.

The glaring contradiction between "inclusivism" and the Council of Trent. 

Protestantism teaches "exclusivism", namely the biblical view that salvation necessitates personal and explicit faith in Jesus Christ. The official doctrine adopted by the RCC since Vatican II is "inclusivism", the outrageous teaching that non-Christians can be saved by Jesus Christ without faith! (Hebrews 11:6). Confusingly, "inclusivism" stands in opposition to the RC profession that it is the "sole Church of Christ" i.e. "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church", as defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. ALL non-Catholics were anathematized by the Council of Trent during the Counter Reformation (1545-1563). {1} Since RC anathemas are immutable and can never be rescinded, all Protestants remain officially excommunicated. The ex cathedra position held by the RCC is that it continues to condemn as heresy the Protestant tenet of justification by faith alone (sola fide) apart from works, a position confirmed by Vatican I and II. {2} 

Apostolic succession is the assertion that RC bishops represent the only direct uninterrupted line of continuity from the original apostles:

"The principle underlying the Roman claim is contained in the idea of succession. "To succeed" is to be the successor of, especially to be the heir of, or to occupy an official position just after, as Victoria succeeded William IV. Now the Roman Pontiffs come immediately after, occupy the position, and perform the functions of  St. Peter; they are, therefore, his successors. We must prove that St. Peter came to Rome, and ended there his pontificate; that the Bishops of Rome who came after him held his official position in the Church." {3}

Problematically for the RCC, the claim that the apostle Peter had supremacy among the twelve apostles, and that he became the first bishop of Rome cannot be proved. No evidence exists that Peter ever went to Rome. As a consequence of this tenuous claim, the so called "separate churches" are officially judged by Trent to be entirely invalid. More than that, their own warped criteria necessitate that it is impossible for the NAR to have any claim to apostolic succession or prophetic authority. How is it conceivable that the Pope has acknowledged NAR "prophets" as genuine and given them his approbation? According to NAR "prophet" Kris Valloten, the Pope's opening comment at their 2016 meeting was: “We must invite the prophets back into the church and welcome them with open arms.” {4)

The NAR is a Protestant coalition consisting of neo Pentecostals and charismatics. NAR leaders claim that the second apostolic age is upon us on the authority of their now deceased "Presiding Apostle" C. Peter Wagner. Wagner announced the beginning of the "second apostolic age", claiming that the lost offices of prophet and apostle were restored in 2001. {5} The NAR is hyper-authoritarian and pyramidal in its hierarchical structure, with the guru "apostle" at the pinnacle.. very similar in fact to the structure of the RCC. NAR cults are the fastest growing sects of Christianity. An estimated 369 million people are a part of this movement worldwide. {6} The NAR have other things in common with the RCC, in particular ecumenism and their plan to infiltrate and dominate all sectors of society via their "seven mountain mandate". If we are to believe the Jesuit Extreme Oath, their aim is to do their uttermost to secretly infiltrate Protestant churches and to ".. extirpate the heretical Protestants or Liberals' doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, regal or otherwise." {7}

In reality, the New Apostolic Reformation aka Dominionism/Kingdom Now/Replacement Theology is a dangerous heretical movement consisting of proven false teachers such as Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Mike Bickle, Todd Bentley, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs, Rick Joyner, John and Carol Arnott and many more. {8} The NAR are very fuzzy on doctrine and rely heavily on extra-biblical revelations from their so called "prophets" and "apostles". These wolves have put themselves beyond accountability, since they make themselves the final authority. (Acts 17:10-11). According to the NAR, the church must submit to the authority of their own so called "apostles" in order for their dominionist objective to succeed i.e to transform nations for Christ in order to "establish the Kingdom of God on earth". {9} Wagner established the International Coalition of Apostlic Leaders (ICAL) and the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders whose mission it is to "..effectively accelerate the advancement of the Kingdom of God into every sphere of society." {10} The NAR dominionist agenda entirely contradicts the scriptures. Rather than Christians establishing dominion, the scriptures indicate the diametric opposite scenario of increasing godlessness and global hostility against Jesus Christ in the last days. (Revelation 19:19 cf. John 18:36; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

How does the Vatican square its claim to apostolic succession and the Pope's meeting with NAR "apostles" and "prophets" and vice versa? Surely there is a theological impasse, or are they closer than we are led to believe? Certainly Rick Joyner makes no secret of the fact that he is a Knight of Malta (Order of Malta), an RC lay religious order. {11} The bizarre "knighting ceremony" for graduates of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (Bethel Church Redding), apparently resonates with the Order of Malta ceremony. {12} Lou Engle, founder of The Call, who claims the "mantle" of ecumenist Billy Graham, actually participated in a sickening act of mutual prostration with RC leader Matteo Calisi in 2016 at LA event Asusa Now. {13} Calisi proposed a covenant between Engle and themselves stating: "..division is a diabolical sin.. Jesus doesn't care about our differences.. for our doctrines, for our traditions.." These statements from Calisi stand in direct contradiction to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the real apostles! The rejection of the scriptures concerning doctrine is the rejection of Christianity itself! (1 Timothy 4:3,16; Titus 2:1, 9). More up to date is the full Catholic Mass held by RCC clergy at the mega-ecumenical Hillsong Alpha Conference in February 2018. {14} Hillsong was founded on New Order of the Latter Rain (NOLR) principles and is also Kingdom Now/NAR.

NARWatchIsrael describe the NAR as a "cuckoo in the nest". They continue: "Years ago this movement set out to ‘infiltrate and pervert the course of the true Church, in order to plant a whole new understanding of God, the Holy Spirit, the Coming, the Endtimes – and almost everything else’, and it is very close to achieving that -worldwide. So much so, that one of its senior proponents boasted: ‘The NAR, in fact, is the 21st century's mainstream Christianity.’" {15} 

In 2000, the Assemblies of God (AG), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world, issued a statement warning against Dominion theology, a warning that many individual Assemblies of God churches have wilfully ignored!

This statement was adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God on August 11, 2000:

"Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. The thought that God’s kingdom can come on earth with a little help from humankind is intriguing to those who advocate this approach to impacting society. Rather than scoffing at the promise of Christ’s imminent return (2 Peter 3:3,4), this errant theology says that Jesus will not return until the Church takes dominion of the earth back from Satan and his followers. By taking control, through whatever means possible, of political, ecclesiastical, educational, economic, and other structures, Christians supposedly can make the world a worthy place for Christ to return and rule over.6 This unscriptural triumphalism generates other related variant teachings." {16} 

The RCC And The NAR Claim To Apostolic Authority Is False!

The idea of "apostolic succession" is not found in the scriptures. Rather apostolic authority is passed on through the teaching of the original apostles, not through apostolic succession. The inerrant scriptures are the benchmark by which we test all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11). False apostles and prophets would have us abandon the authority of the Word of God in favour of their own unverifiable extra biblical revelations and feigned authority.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9).

No direct lineage between the RCC and any of the apostles can be established. Critically, deviation from the apostles foundational teaching automatically disqualifies the RCC as the "one true church" and "apostolic succession". The present Pope aka the "supreme Pontiff" has supremacy over the RC church as the "vicar of Christ "(Latin vicarious Christi) from vicarious, meaning...." acting or done for another". This title effectively identifies the succession of popes as antichrists. (1 John 2:18). Antichrist both opposes and stands in place of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:5, 24 cf. Matthew 23:9).

These days we should use the title "Apostle" with extreme caution. The term can be loosely applied to a church planter, a missionary or a pioneer, but nothing more. It is imperative that we understand that those who claim to be "apostles", do not have the authority of Jesus' original apostles and they cannot supersede the apostles teaching. (Acts 2:42). 

The RCC is full of contradictions, and is at odds not only with the scriptures, but also within itself and its previous catechisms. Similarly the NAR is a contradictory confusing movement, continually changing the goalposts, and claiming authority on the precepts of men. (Matthew 15:9). God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33).

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9).

{1} http://heritagebiblechurch.com/PDFs/Facts/Trent.pdf
{2} http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/YOF/Sacrosanctum-Concilium.pdf
{3} http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01641a.htm
{4) https://krisvallotton.com/pope-francis/
id=fVYgSOvy6HEC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=c+peter+wagner+office+of+apostle+restored+in+2001&source=bl&ots=hUi7zKaITy&sig=69OqEteZx805By1VcmSAOlZpX0E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRoPSQmq3aAhWMN8AKHfgVBZw4FBDoAQhAMAQ#v=onepage&q=c%20peter%20wagner%20office%20of%20apostle%20restored%20in%202001&f=false
{5} https://books.google.co.uk/books?
{6} https://forum.culteducation.com/read.php?12,136116
{7} http://www.reformation.org/jesuit-oath.html
{8} http://www.so4j.com/new-apostolic-reforma:tion-latter-rain
{9} https://www.icaleaders.com/about-ical/statement-of-faith
{10} https://www.icaleaders.com/about-ical/
{11} https://www.morningstarministries.org/about/questions-and-answers/knights-malta-rick-joyner#.WtS-s0xFzIU
{12} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEJ78_3ym4
{13} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOMY6jLNTw0
{14} https://emergentwatch.com/2018/02/15/hillsong-sponsoring-contemplative-alpha-allows-catholic-mass-at-conference/
{15} http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/NARWatchIsrael.pdf 

{16} https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/Revival-Endtime-Revival--Spirit-Led-and-Spirit-Controlled