Similarities Between Calvinism and Islam

[God's Truth]

Jesus also said that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven, Matthew 5:20.

The Pharisees were champions of the law and religion. Some tithed right down to the mint in their gardens. Paul said that as a Pharisee he was blameless.

As a Pharisee he was blameless!

However, I gave you scripture from Jesus saying the Pharisees did not obey.

The only way that any ones righteousness will exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees is to be found "IN CHRIST" Colossians 2:10.

You. will. not. be. put. in. Christ. until. you. do. what. Christ. says. to. do.

 

[Epoisses]

I've read the Bible, and there's a reason it was followed a certain way for centuries- until now. Lost sheep of the new age, that's what you all are part of, perceiving the Scriptures in a way that best serves yourselves.

Oh, the high and mighty elect wannabe wants to sound all important. Peter said he was elect by the foreknowledge of God not by a fiat declaration before the world began from some French huguenot.

 

[Epoisses]

You said the Pharisees obeyed and you were proven wrong.

You do not know the truth because you do not do what Jesus says to do in order to receive understanding.

You have a righteousness that does not exceed the best behavior trainer at PetSmart.

 

[God's Truth]

You have a righteousness that does not exceed the best behavior trainer at PetSmart.

Why do you speak against the Truth?

Train ourselves.

Luke 6:40
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Timothy 4:7, 8
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Titus 2:4
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

[nikolai_42]

What did Calvinism evolve from? Was John Calvin really a Muslim disguised as a Christian.

There are many similarities between Calvinism and Islam. Please read this article and decide for yourself. http://www.freewill-predestination.com/islam.html

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matthew 12:33-34

If all have sinned and are - as you agree - in need of a Savior, then the free will of man becomes the crux of the issue. If man is truly dead in trespasses and sin, then how can there be ANYTHING in him that is good such that it can (or even will) turn to God? It comes down to a question of nature - and the above passage (and several in I John) shows just how radical the fallen man's fallenness is. It's either all good or all bad as Jesus says. So the Calvinist recognizes this biblical fact and runs with it. The Muslim has some bizarre version of a savior who really never was crucified for the sins of mankind - and his fatalism leads him to despair and a total works-righteousness theology. Allah may or may not have mercy on him at death - he doesn't know. But for the Calvinist, the issue is far more fundamental - the sinner is judged because of his natural sinfulness (and attendant aversion to the things of God). He may think he wants salvation (because it is generally a "good" thing) but in reality, he just wants to avoid something horrific - the judgment of God (Luke 3:7). He has no love for God - love which is only had in Christ because He loved us first. So the Muslim is left without hope because it all rests on his own ability (and his own luck before a capricious God). To be honest, there is at least as much similarity (if not more) with Arminianism here because it does rest on the individual. Calvinism's predestination has all mankind standing guilty before God and only those who are made right before Him being saved. It can't be based on man's innate desire because of the above passage (otherwise man really isn't all bad). The one who is not changed by God cannot love God. The one who is cannot help but serve and love Him. The means God uses to bring this about are not simple - but it all comes down to who gets the glory. Man or God? If a Muslim is "saved", it is because he did something to warrant Allah's mercy (killing infidels in Jihad, for example). If a Christian is saved, it is because of God alone (certainly in the Calvinist view). We are not automatons, but we are beholden to that which keeps us in bondage. And if we are slaves to sin, it is sin we will obey. Our whole being is subjected to that - even our wills. And you have a hard time escaping that if you sincerely believe that all have (and do) sin and fallen short of the glory of God. All are born in Adam...

 

[Robert Pate]

In the Gospel Jesus comes into the world to do for fallen man that which fallen man cannot do for himself. "He who knew no sin becomes sin for us" 2 Corinthians 5:21. Even the most depraved of sinners can be shocked into the realty of their lost condition when they hear this.

On the day of Pentecost, some Jews that had participated in the crucifixion of Christ heard Peter's Gospel and became Christians, Acts 2:36. Do not sell the power of the Holy Spirit short when it comes to bringing people to Christ.

 

[nikolai_42]

In the Gospel Jesus comes into the world to do for fallen man that which fallen man cannot do for himself. "He who knew no sin becomes sin for us" 2 Corinthians 5:21. Even the most depraved of sinners can be shocked into the realty of their lost condition when they hear this.

On the day of Pentecost, some Jews that had participated in the crucifixion of Christ heard Peter's Gospel and became Christians, Acts 2:36. Do not sell the power of the Holy Spirit short when it comes to bringing people to Christ.

Which is it, then? Shock or the Holy Spirit?

 

[Eagles Wings]

The Muslim misunderstands and rejects the Trinity. The Calvinist does not.

I see no reason not to pray for Muslims in our neighborhoods and acquaintance, that God would provide opportunities for Christians to speak the Gospel.

A wise Pastor of the PRCA wrote, "The command to love our neighbor applies to our Muslim neighbors. We may not misrepresent them, twist their words, or slander them."

Good advice for those who slander Calvinism as well.

 

[God's Truth]

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matthew 12:33-34

JESUS tells us how! We have to do what Jesus says. That is how.

It is NOT as you say how.

If all have sinned and are - as you agree - in need of a Savior, then the free will of man becomes the crux of the issue. If man is truly dead in trespasses and sin, then how can there be ANYTHING in him that is good such that it can (or even will) turn to God?

The Gentiles were dead in their sins because they did not have the purification/ceremonial works to clean themselves.

We are not DEAD in sin meaning we cannot desire to have more out of this life than pleasing our flesh!

You say how can there be anything good in any human---the BIBLE SAYS THERE IS GOOD IN PEOPLE.

It comes down to a question of nature - and the above passage (and several in I John) shows just how radical the fallen man's fallenness is. It's either all good or all bad as Jesus says. So the Calvinist recognizes this biblical fact and runs with it.

Calvin taught falseness and others were led into his false teachings.

The Muslim has some bizarre version of a savior who really never was crucified for the sins of mankind - and his fatalism leads him to despair and a total works-righteousness theology. Allah may or may not have mercy on him at death - he doesn't know. But for the Calvinist, the issue is far more fundamental - the sinner is judged because of his natural sinfulness (and attendant aversion to the things of God). He may think he wants salvation (because it is generally a "good" thing) but in reality, he just wants to avoid something horrific - the judgment of God (Luke 3:7).

There isn't a wrong reason to obey God. There is NOTHING wrong in willful obedience.

He has no love for God -

Obedience is love for God and those are the ones who God loves---those who obey. That is scripture.

love which is only had in Christ because He loved us first.

God loved His creation---but does NOT know and love you personally until you love Him by obeying Him.

So the Muslim is left without hope because it all rests on his own ability (and his own luck before a capricious God). To be honest, there is at least as much similarity (if not more) with Arminianism here because it does rest on the individual. Calvinism's predestination has all mankind standing guilty before God and only those who are made right before Him being saved.

The BIBLE says all are condemned until they come to God through Jesus.

It can't be based on man's innate desire because of the above passage (otherwise man really isn't all bad).

You misunderstand the passage. Man is NOT ALL BAD.

The one who is not changed by God cannot love God.

Again, God loves and saves those who love Him by obeying Him.

God does NOT save unbelievers---as your false denomination says.

The one who is cannot help but serve and love Him. The means God uses to bring this about are not simple - but it all comes down to who gets the glory. Man or God? If a Muslim is "saved", it is because he did something to warrant Allah's mercy (killing infidels in Jihad, for example). If a Christian is saved, it is because of God alone (certainly in the Calvinist view). We are not automatons, but we are beholden to that which keeps us in bondage. And if we are slaves to sin, it is sin we will obey. Our whole being is subjected to that - even our wills. And you have a hard time escaping that if you sincerely believe that all have (and do) sin and fallen short of the glory of God. All are born in Adam...

You cannot give scripture for your beliefs.

You will not recognize that the Gentiles were dead in their sins because they did not do the purification works.

You do not know the scriptures that SAY there are good in people.

You do not recognize the truth that Jesus does NOT save people who do not believe and obey.

You have a denomination that is not based on truth from God.

 

[Crucible]

Oh, the high and mighty elect wannabe wants to sound all important. Peter said he was elect by the foreknowledge of God not by a fiat declaration before the world began from some French huguenot.

You believe in a god who, knowing disaster would come, still made mankind. Men sin and are supposed to rue the existence God made for them.

I believe in a god who, from the beginning, had a plan. Men are elected to be righteous and grow through the compassion of the Lord.

Yeah, your god is so great. More like a wizard then an immutable, perfect god

 

[Robert Pate]

As a Pharisee he was blameless!

However, I gave you scripture from Jesus saying the Pharisees did not obey.



You. will. not. be. put. in. Christ. until. you. do. what. Christ. says. to. do.

If that was the case no one would be saved because we are all sinners.

 

[Epoisses]

You believe in a god who, knowing disaster would come, still made mankind. Men sin and are supposed to rue the existence God made for them.

I believe in a god who, from the beginning, had a plan. Men are elected to be righteous and grow through the compassion of the Lord.

Yeah, your god is so great. More like a wizard then an immutable, perfect god

I believe in a God who has a plan too. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and all those who believe in him will never perish. It's hard to believe in Jesus when your idol has your first affection.

 

[Robert Pate]

I believe in a God who has a plan too. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and all those who believe in him will never perish. It's hard to believe in Jesus when your idol has your first affection.

Right, "God so loved the world" In Calvinism God only loves some. And then creates life for the sole purpose of sending it to hell. It is not humanly possible to love and believe in the God of Calvinism.