If you’re not a Calvinist, fine. If you think it’s not true or unbiblical, fine. I think you’re probably wrong, but fine. Even if you don’t believe it, and you haven’t really looked into the issue, fine. But what’s not fine is to substitute pointless and biased comparisons for intelligent reflection. Take this for example. Here’s a sample:
Pursuant to research I am doing for a project I was reading the Koran & found a striking similarity between Islam & Calvinism in the area of predestination and fatalism. The two theological systems have an almost identical view of God [emphasis added], which is clearly at odds with the Arminian & Judaic views. Muslims believe nothing happens unless God wills it — including sinful choices by humans (a mirror image of Calvin’s POV).
Obviously Calvinism is a system couched in Christianity & of course Islam is not. However, I find the similarities striking & noteworthy. I’m interested to hear the Calvinist perspective on this similarity.
For now – never mind the claim that Calvinism differs with Judaism (in particular, the Old Testament of the Christian Bible) on the issue of sovereignty. He’s wrong, but let’s ignore that for now. What the heck is the point of noting a similarity between Islam and Calvinism (assuming for now that there is one). Is it so that Christians will say “oooo, Calvinism is like Islam, that’s bad. Calvinism is bad”? The bias and transparently selective nature of this kind of pointless activity makes it intellectually worthless in my opinion. Here’s a beautiful example: You’ve all heard or read advocates of Open Theism say that other views – especially [spooky voice]Calvinism[/spooky voice] are just too influenced by “pagan Greek” philosophy, right? But those same people just don’t care that the same syngergism and openness is duplicated in the pagan Greek and Roman myths.
Never mind the fact that Mormonism and the Jehovah’s witnesses, along with plenty of non-Christian religions, are synergistic like Arminianism.
Hey, don’t debate – associate!