Calvinism is a Cult

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CoreIssue

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I agree.

So many of the 'Calvinist' discussions - for or against - do seem to go round and round in circles. It does remind me of a fairground, where you pay money to take turns to throw a ball at a row of coconuts; and someone cries: "Roll up, bowl a ball, a penny a pitch...!"

Calvinism redefined salvation and God. That makes it a cult.
 

CoreIssue

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You've got your definitions mixed up.

cult
noun
  • 1.a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object
~ By definition, Calvinists worship the same Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

her·e·sy
noun

  • 1.belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine
~ By the way, Calvinism is the orthodox belief of the church, as stated in the Cannons of Dort. So by definition it is not heresy either

You've been calling Calvinism a cult this whole time, and didn't even know that what you really meant was heresy. Maybe your arguments would be easier to take seriously if you used the word with the right definition

What is the definition of a cult?
A cult is a group that teaches doctrines that, if believed, will cause a person to remain unsaved. A cult claims to be part of a religion, yet it denies essential truth(s) of that religion. Therefore, a Christian cult will deny one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity while still claiming to be Christian.

What is the definition of a cult?
What is the definition of a cult?

According to Merriam-Webster, a cult is simply a system of religious beliefs and ritual. In general, a cult is a group that claims to belong to a specific religion but misrepresents any core teaching that would prevent a believer from being saved according to that religion. In Christian terms, a cult is "a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth." Specifically, it is a group that claims to be Christian, but whose teaching, if believed, would prevent someone from having a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

What Is a Religious Cult? - Christian Research Institute
WHAT IS A CULT- Definitions
There are two ways to define a cult. The first way to describe a cult is popular in the secular media. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization.

This kind of cult is usually manipulative, demanding total commitment and loyalty from its followers. Converts are usually cut off from all former associations, including their own families. The Hare Krishnas, the Family of Love led by Moses David Berg, and Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church are some examples of this kind of a cult.

The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles. From this perspective, a cult is any group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith being derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds.
 

Mjh29

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What is the definition of a cult?
A cult is a group that teaches doctrines that, if believed, will cause a person to remain unsaved. A cult claims to be part of a religion, yet it denies essential truth(s) of that religion. Therefore, a Christian cult will deny one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity while still claiming to be Christian.

What is the definition of a cult?
What is the definition of a cult?

According to Merriam-Webster, a cult is simply a system of religious beliefs and ritual. In general, a cult is a group that claims to belong to a specific religion but misrepresents any core teaching that would prevent a believer from being saved according to that religion. In Christian terms, a cult is "a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth." Specifically, it is a group that claims to be Christian, but whose teaching, if believed, would prevent someone from having a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

What Is a Religious Cult? - Christian Research Institute
WHAT IS A CULT- Definitions
There are two ways to define a cult. The first way to describe a cult is popular in the secular media. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization.

This kind of cult is usually manipulative, demanding total commitment and loyalty from its followers. Converts are usually cut off from all former associations, including their own families. The Hare Krishnas, the Family of Love led by Moses David Berg, and Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church are some examples of this kind of a cult.

The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles. From this perspective, a cult is any group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith being derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds.

Yep. And Calvinism does not fit into the 'cult' definition.
 

CoreIssue

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Yep. And Calvinism does not fit into the 'cult' definition.

Calvinism denies free will, denies seeking God. Denies God wants everyone saved and denies God gives everyone a way to be saved.

That is not the God or salvation of the Bible, meaning Calvinism is a cult.
 

justbyfaith

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FREE WILL is not in the bible.

I don't know if this has been addressed in the last 10 pages, but:

Gen 2:16, And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Jos 24:15, And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Rev 22:17, And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
 
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Enoch111

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The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles. From this perspective, a cult is any group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith being derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds.
The Early Church Fathers all believed in the free will of human beings despite the fallen human condition. It is only after Augustine arrived on the scene that there was some debate. But even Augustine did not hold to the Calvinistic concept of *Total Depravity* (which is total nonsense). And he wrote extensively on this specific subject.

The reason Calvinism is cultic is because no matter what Scripture you present to refute their false *gospel*, they do always resist the truth, and are stiff-necked about it. That is the same way as the Jehovah's Witnesses resist the truth, no matter if you give them a hundred Scriptures. So both are forms of cultic bondage.
 
D

Dave L

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The Early Church Fathers all believed in the free will of human beings despite the fallen human condition. It is only after Augustine arrived on the scene that there was some debate. But even Augustine did not hold to the Calvinistic concept of *Total Depravity* (which is total nonsense). And he wrote extensively on this specific subject.

The reason Calvinism is cultic is because no matter what Scripture you present to refute their false *gospel*, they do always resist the truth, and are stiff-necked about it. That is the same way as the Jehovah's Witnesses resist the truth, no matter if you give them a hundred Scriptures. So both are forms of cultic bondage.
Free will = salvation by works of the flesh. And scripture nor Calvin teaches this.
 

Anthony D'Arienzo

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The Early Church Fathers all believed in the free will of human beings despite the fallen human condition. It is only after Augustine arrived on the scene that there was some debate. But even Augustine did not hold to the Calvinistic concept of *Total Depravity* (which is total nonsense). And he wrote extensively on this specific subject.

The reason Calvinism is cultic is because no matter what Scripture you present to refute their false *gospel*, they do always resist the truth, and are stiff-necked about it. That is the same way as the Jehovah's Witnesses resist the truth, no matter if you give them a hundred Scriptures. So both are forms of cultic bondage.
We notice you have not answered post 10, so you have no credibility until you step up.
 

Jane_Doe22

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The Early Church Fathers all believed in the free will of human beings despite the fallen human condition. It is only after Augustine arrived on the scene that there was some debate. But even Augustine did not hold to the Calvinistic concept of *Total Depravity* (which is total nonsense). And he wrote extensively on this specific subject.

The reason Calvinism is cultic is because no matter what Scripture you present to refute their false *gospel*, they do always resist the truth, and are stiff-necked about it. That is the same way as the Jehovah's Witnesses resist the truth, no matter if you give them a hundred Scriptures. So both are forms of cultic bondage.

For me, it's not the *what* is believed but rather *how* it is believed that makes an individual / group show cultic tendencies-- "cultic" being defined the common tongue sociological way, not in way "anti cult" groups define it. This like refusing to discuss information (even if there are different opinions), idolizing a leader (viewing them as Christ-like perfect 100% of the time), fear-based motivations (threats of fire/death/etc), phobia of the "other", etc. These can be displayed on a group-scale, but much more commonly you'll find individuals who show these tendencies.

I do not find Calvinism itself to be a cult. I do PASSIONATELY disagree with it, and find to to be completely the opposite of Christ's teachings. But do not at all find the "cult" label to be matching the group as a whole. Individuals: yes I have found Calvinist individuals who display cultic tendencies, but I've also found those same type of individuals in every other group I've studied.
 

Anthony D'Arienzo

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For me, it's not the *what* is believed but rather *how* it is believed that makes an individual / group show cultic tendencies-- "cultic" being defined the common tongue sociological way, not in way "anti cult" groups define it. This like refusing to discuss information (even if there are different opinions), idolizing a leader (viewing them as Christ-like perfect 100% of the time), fear-based motivations (threats of fire/death/etc), phobia of the "other", etc. These can be displayed on a group-scale, but much more commonly you'll find individuals who show these tendencies.

I do not find Calvinism itself to be a cult. I do PASSIONATELY disagree with it, and find to to be completely the opposite of Christ's teachings. But do not at all find the "cult" label to be matching the group as a whole. Individuals: yes I have found Calvinist individuals who display cultic tendencies, but I've also found those same type of individuals in every other group I've studied.
People disagree until they study the scripture.
 

Jane_Doe22

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People disagree until they study the scripture.
^This is a cultic type answer: downplaying and dismissing anyone who is not in the "in" group.

Again: such behaviors are not a Calvinism-thing per say. I've encountered these type of behaviors in some individuals in every group I've studied.
 

Enoch111

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But do not at all find the "cult" label to be matching the group as a whole.
The trouble is that the same tired arguments in defense of Calvinism come from all its adherents. Not to say that they are not Christians, but rather Christians who have been deceived and blinded to the truth -- BY THEIR OWN CHOICE. To me the existence of a cultic mentality is when someone refuses to believe what is clearly stated in Scripture, and reverts back to their false teachings.

Let's take just one Scripture: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16,17)

Every English translation in this regard is more or less the same. And every concordance and lexicon regarding the Greek kosmos agrees that in these verses "world" means all the inhabitants of the earth, the human race, the world of humanity. But Calvinists adamantly deny that, since to admit that that is true means to reject and abandon Five Point Calvinism.
 

Mjh29

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The trouble is that the same tired arguments in defense of Calvinism come from all its adherents. Not to say that they are not Christians, but rather Christians who have been deceived and blinded to the truth -- BY THEIR OWN CHOICE. To me the existence of a cultic mentality is when someone refuses to believe what is clearly stated in Scripture, and reverts back to their false teachings.

Let's take just one Scripture: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16,17)

Every English translation in this regard is more or less the same. And every concordance and lexicon regarding the Greek kosmos agrees that in these verses "world" means all the inhabitants of the earth, the human race, the world of humanity. But Calvinists adamantly deny that, since to admit that that is true means to reject and abandon Five Point Calvinism.

Jhn3.16.jpg