French Theologian John Calvin served as a pastor during the Protestant Reformation. Growing up Roman Catholic, he had values and traditions instilled which were thought to be critical in one 's relationship with God. However, after his exposure to reformation he experienced a shift in ideals, theology, and belief. This time of his life simply brought into light a spectrum of Christianity which had yet to be acknowledged in a depth which came across offensive and seemingly harsh. Now referred to as Calvinism, a fresh perspective had been presented through a series of beliefs which were backed by scripture from the Holy Bible. Though it might seem as though this evidence is not exactly factual, the presentation of the study is clearly thorough and logical. During the sixteenth century many new churches arose, churches closed, and large numbers of people seeked a change which resulted in differing practices and beliefs.
…show more content…
Based upon Biblical interpretation, theories were proposed and one which became fairly famous and widely accepted was Calvinism. Although this proposal was fairly complex in terms of the amount of background study required to understand the entity of the ideas, reformation stands to be debated and remains controversial up until present day. The initial origin of this system of beliefs is based around a simple acronym: TULIP. T: (Total Depravity) U: (Unconditional Election) L: (Limited Atonement) I: (Irresistible Grace) P: (Perseverance of the Saints). First is Total Depravity which is based out of the first book of the Bible, titled Genesis. In this idea of theology it is believed that every man that has lived is consquentially fallen to sin as a result of Adam and Eve. It is believed that since the fall of man (Genesis 3) every person is corrupt and separated from God, and every thought, emotion, and will is corrupt and based from sin. With this being said, not a single person in deemed the ability to choose to follow God or choose to accept salvation. Stated directly from the Bible in Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul says, “1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” As the Bible is directed and written nearly 2000 years ago yet was concurrent with the events which were happening, this statement from Paul is deemed evidential. However, many people and theologians have argued many ideas against that of Total Depravity. For instance, many claim that man is depraved from God, but not to a full extent. Instead, man is simply born innocent and falls to their own sin. However, this is incorrect and false in the fact that people are not by nature inclined to love God and cling solely toward goodness. No, men may display good deeds and genuine kindness, but no single person is one hundred percent good as a result of Adam and Eve’s 100% evil introduction to the world for the rest of time on Earth. Next, John Calvin presented the idea of Unconditional Election. This topic of discussion is fairly present within many debates inside the church. According to Calvinism and its followers, God chooses people in which he freely elects to receive his grace and fulfill his purpose in the world. In this, these people had not earned their salvation nor had they done any action which may win over God’s favor. These people chosen, just as the remainder of humanity, have fallen to sin and naturally pursue the desires of their heart. Election, just as that of predestination, involves the choosing of the people in terms of eternity in Heaven. However, election deals very closely with those whom God chooses individually and predestination refers to the general idea of God ruling over the people and have a reigning power to determine the subsiding position of one for eternity. Quoted from John fifteen,
Based upon Biblical interpretation, theories were proposed and one which became fairly famous and widely accepted was Calvinism. Although this proposal was fairly complex in terms of the amount of background study required to understand the entity of the ideas, reformation stands to be debated and remains controversial up until present day. The initial origin of this system of beliefs is based around a simple acronym: TULIP. T: (Total Depravity) U: (Unconditional Election) L: (Limited Atonement) I: (Irresistible Grace) P: (Perseverance of the Saints). First is Total Depravity which is based out of the first book of the Bible, titled Genesis. In this idea of theology it is believed that every man that has lived is consquentially fallen to sin as a result of Adam and Eve. It is believed that since the fall of man (Genesis 3) every person is corrupt and separated from God, and every thought, emotion, and will is corrupt and based from sin. With this being said, not a single person in deemed the ability to choose to follow God or choose to accept salvation. Stated directly from the Bible in Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul says, “1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” As the Bible is directed and written nearly 2000 years ago yet was concurrent with the events which were happening, this statement from Paul is deemed evidential. However, many people and theologians have argued many ideas against that of Total Depravity. For instance, many claim that man is depraved from God, but not to a full extent. Instead, man is simply born innocent and falls to their own sin. However, this is incorrect and false in the fact that people are not by nature inclined to love God and cling solely toward goodness. No, men may display good deeds and genuine kindness, but no single person is one hundred percent good as a result of Adam and Eve’s 100% evil introduction to the world for the rest of time on Earth. Next, John Calvin presented the idea of Unconditional Election. This topic of discussion is fairly present within many debates inside the church. According to Calvinism and its followers, God chooses people in which he freely elects to receive his grace and fulfill his purpose in the world. In this, these people had not earned their salvation nor had they done any action which may win over God’s favor. These people chosen, just as the remainder of humanity, have fallen to sin and naturally pursue the desires of their heart. Election, just as that of predestination, involves the choosing of the people in terms of eternity in Heaven. However, election deals very closely with those whom God chooses individually and predestination refers to the general idea of God ruling over the people and have a reigning power to determine the subsiding position of one for eternity. Quoted from John fifteen,