Reformed Heroes of the Faith

The history of the Reformation involves such heroes as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Hus, Ulrich Zwingli, William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, Michael Sattler... These pioneers led us to an age where the sufficiency of scripture was procliamed and Reformation Theology flourished. This was counter to the thinking of Rome, with the exception of St. Augustine, who's teachings were condemned by the pope and rejected by Rome. This faithful exposition of scripture was supported by Jonathan Edwards, John Bunyan, George Whitefield, August Toplady, John Owen, William Wilberforce, John A. Broadus, J. P. Boyce, B. H. Carroll, Roger Williams, William Carey, J. C. Ryle, John Foxe, A. W. Pink, John Newton, Matthew Henry, and Charles Spurgeon. It was Arius, Pelagius, and the followers of Arminius whose teachings were deemed as heresy by the Church, and only later was it so widely accepted, by those outside of Rome, that man had a synergistic ability to work in his own salvation. This made man a co-worker with God, as opposed to a work fully done by God, followed by a command that can now be understood and obeyed, since that man is now regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, and by the power of the Word. It is amazing that, with the exception of John Wesley, (who persecuted the ministry of George Whitefield without being retaliated against and without repentance until Whitefield's death,) the most God-fearing, sin hating, selfless preachers of holiness and righteousness were Reformation Theologians, and today many evangelicals, who would not exist without them, see Calvinism as a dirty word.

This excerpt comes from a documentary called "Amazing Grace, The History and Theology of Calvinism". It is sold in a 2 DVD set. It would be informative to you no matter what side of the fence you are on, or even if you are riding it. (The fence of Calvinism and Arminianism, that is.)

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[bereansearch]

Those who opposed such a view, (though it is clearly based on scripture,) espoused the name "free-will" as an attempt to shame those who believed what the Bible said about it & to explain away why some accept the gospel & some reject it, even though they come from identical backgrounds. Man does make a choice, but w/out God it is the wrong one. Humans are created in the image of God. We know that we exist & are moral beings (know right and wrong). It's just that we behave immorally.

[bereansearch]

Augustine, Luther & the Reformers, all held the view the the sinner was in bondage to sin. They recognized that the natural man couldn't understand the things of God, that he couldn't obey the law of God (that includes the command to repent and believe), & that he couldn't even come to God unless he was drawn. Man has a will, but it is not good & not morally able to choose righteousness because it was, by nature, opposed to righteousness.  Apart from God's grace, they will not believe.

[bereansearch]

The end of this video shows some examples of Christian pastors and theologians of the past who embraced Reformed doctrines.

[astruble1022]

What is the definition of free will and how does it play a role at the fall. What differentiates us from animals?

[AgApE010]

@peitschfamily

John Calvin didn't actively kill anyone. He simply saw to the wrath of Geneva's law coming upon heretics like Servetus. Following your reasoning, every judge or plaintiff who has seen that a criminal receive capital punishment is a murderer. Congratulations, you've thus also condemned most key figures of the Old Testament.

Besides, Calvinism is not based on John Calvin. Calvin didn't teach Limited Atonement, for instance. Calvinism is the Canons of Dordt.

[HDell1994]

@bigboyburnsy Amen, thank you for your prayers and I will be sure to do the same for you. God bless you brother!

[bigboyburnsy]

@HDell1994 You got it. I pray that you completely deny your flesh, pick up your cross and follow our LORD and savior Jesus Christ no matter what the cost, Christ suffered and died for us, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. I pray every thing you do in your life you do for the honor and glory of our LORD.

Please pray that i put Christ's words into practice, turn away from sin, love God and love others, including my enemies. God bless you!

[HDell1994]

@bigboyburnsy Amen brother, and I too have only been a believer for almost two years now. I'm glad to hear that you have come to the realization of the importance of dwelling of God's entire word. I pray that you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I hope you pray the same for me aswell.

[bigboyburnsy]

@HDell1994 (cont) Christ is risen! Grace and peace to you, God bless!

[bigboyburnsy]

@HDell1994 You're absolutely right! Though i believe we should test the spirits and see if the people who we follow in our lives are under the absolute authority of Christ and not their own. I've been a believer for a full year and i just recently realized i was making the mistake of only dwelling on Christ's words and nothing else when in fact i should be dwelling on God's ENTIRE word. Satan definitely knows the bible better than you or I know it, we can see this when Christ is being tempted

[HDell1994]

@bigboyburnsy Was it not the Apostle Paul who said in the Divine Word of God, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1)? Is the Apostle any more than a "mere mortal"? God wants us to follow His Son Jesus Christ, but God has given us "mere men" who followed Jesus (such as the Apostle Paul) so that we can learn from the lives of these men and imitate the Godly characteristics the Lord has placed in them.

Grace and peace,