Calvin and Human Freedom

Moreover, Calvinism was highly ascetic. Whereas, Catholicism and Lutheranism maintained that believers could essentially “work” for God’s forgiveness through faith, good works, etc., Calvinism stressed “systematic self-control necessary, in every moment” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 127) and the “intensification of good works into a system” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 129). These qualities suggested to Weber that Calvinism was the epitome of rationalism (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 130). In the context of religion, rationalization refers to the process of systematically organizing one’s life according to a methodical approach, with an intense orientation towards discipline, and the absence of “magic” or mystical elements (i.e., sacraments that can save the “damned”) (Kalberg 2011a: p. 422). This characteristic is what distinguishes Lutheranism from Calvinism. As opposed to Lutheranism, Weber ([1905] 2011) argues that “Calvinism forced [a] methodical organization of life upon the believer” (p. 135). This is due to the fact that salvation could always be won back in Lutheranism through penance. In contrast, Calvinism offered no means to acquire salvation, only hints or signs which were based on “uninterrupted self-control” and the “planned regulation of one’s own life” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 136). Lutheranism was also characterized by less asceticism due to its teaching that salvation could be acquired. Therefore, Weber ([1905] 2011) also maintains that “Lutheranism lacks the psychological

In this essay, three responses given to the problem of evil will be introduced and examined in the context of Holocaust. To focus on the Holocaust context, natural evil will not be dealt with. Firstly, Steven T. Davis’s argument which is one of the two mainstreams of Christian’s theodicy approaches, known as Free Will Defence (FWD). Secondly, John Hick’s argument which is another major types of approach, known as Soul making theodicy. Finally, John Hick’s unique theodicy, Theodicy of protest will be discussed.

Dispensationalism maintains only one method of salvation through the dispensations, however, the dispensational idea that the content of faith changes, raises suspicions. The law was added in to grace and could not save (Ryrie, 2007). Thus, the law marked out the character of transgressions until Jesus Christ should come (Ryrie, 2007, p. 128). Without the law, there would no knowledge of God’s grace, and if righteousness could be gained through the law, grace would have no purpose (Gal. 2:21). Thus, the law’s purpose was to mark out grace, while grace fulfilled the law’s purpose (Rom. 10:4). Based on the characteristics of God’s immutability, this author believes that since God cannot change, neither can the content of faith, the measure of God’s grace, or the method and means of salvation. Dispensationalism does add value to Christendom; however, dispensationalism does create confusion over how one is saved. Thus, it is this author’s belief, that with a basic understanding of God’s characteristic of immutability, the church can eliminate any and all confusion concerning salvation and how one is saved.

During times of terrible trajedy, a person’s belief in religious faith may be shaken. Some people may not believe in a religion as strongly after they learn the truth or the story of that religion.

As Elie Wiesel was taken through the Holocaust as a result of being a Jew, he began to ask himself this: “Blessed be God’s name? Why, but why would I bless him? Every fiber in me rebelled. Because he caused thousands of children to burn in his mass graves...Praise be Thy Holy Name, for having chosen us to be slaughtered on Thine altar,” (45). As many enter into wars and horrific events stemming from wars, they begin with strong and unwavering faith. As the war continues and nothing is relieved, people begin to question their faith as they lose sight of all hope. This loss of faith results in a shift in one’s mindset and point of view. As danger and violence seem to increase in wars, so does the struggle to maintain faith. As people continue on in horrible conditions for so long, they eventually reach a breaking point, causing them to abandon all hope, pride, or spirituality they have; because if their world is falling apart, being shattered, and becoming what seems to be unamendable, why has a leadership or a higher being not intervened? As wars continue to be waged throughout history, is has become apparent that the struggle to maintain faith is a theme seen universally as a result of dancing with violence, unsafety, and death.

The age old question that is still being debated. In this essay I hope to answer a few of the big questions such as: How can a good God allow suffering? Why does evil exist? Is God like many have attributed to Him, a watchmaker, who winds us up and lets it go until it runs out? How could God allow the Holocaust? The theological field of inquiry called “theodicy”, which investigates the basic question: If God is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and all-good, (omni-benevolent) how can evil and injustice exist? Since reading Elie Wiesel’s soul shattering Night, this topic seemed fitting. I will provide rational and logical arguments as to why these things occur and how God can still be who He says He is. I will be stating dispassionately the critics of a free-will defense such as J.L Mackie and B.C Johnson, and then I will proceed to offer my responses. After having read Wiesel’s account, my heart only broke more and my mind was spinning with the question itself of How could God allow this? However, we can be mad at God for the Holocaust or for other human tragedies, but this is like a teenager who begs you to let him drive a car - promising to be responsible -, gets drunk, crashes in to a telephone pole, and then blames you for giving him the keys. If we agree that humanity must have free will, we must accept the consequences of its decisions. As Elie Wiesel wrote, “After the Holocaust I did not loose faith in God. I lost faith in mankind.”

Bringing fulfillment and joy to many individuals, religion provides an escape to common man. Demonstrating no signs of presence to the observant man, God manifests himself ubiquitously through the unwavering laws of nature and non-conscious technological applications in order to maintain “religious” equality lacking favoritism.

Jack Blattner AP English 1/15/15 Mr. Martin Certainty and Doubt William Lyon Phelps said, “If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible,” while Bertrand Russell said, “I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine.” These two perspectives could not be more opposite and give true insight into the belief systems of each of the authors. Many people, particularly people with a strong faith in God and a belief that a higher authority is involved in their everyday lives, strongly feel that their faith and beliefs will allow them to achieve all of their hopes and desires. Even in the face of tragedy and inexplicable cruelty and hardship faced by millions of people in the world, the faithful believe that God’s will will ultimately prevail, and that belief is often unshakable.

Abstract: During the Inquisition, a reincarnated Christ was walking the streets. As he began to heal the sick, a cardinal ordered to have him locked up. Later that day, the Grand Inquisitor paid the reincarnated Jesus a visit but not to praise Him instead to reprimand Him. The Grand Inquisitor scolds Jesus for giving humankind freedom by refusing the three temptations of the Devil. He believes humans are too weak to deal with the “burden” of freedom so unhappiness is created.

“‘Faith! Faith!’ cried the husband. ‘Look up to Heaven, and resist the Wicked One!’” (Hawthorne 1297) These were the words expressed by Young Goodman Brown during the evil baptisms. Whether Goodman Brown was speaking to himself or his pleasant wife Faith, it is easily seen that there is a definite need of Faith and God to be saved from the “Wicked One”.

In Freedom of a Christian, Martin Luther preaches countless concepts that relate to his religion. One of those concepts shows his perception of freedom and that freedom has different meanings for different people. Freedom, to Martin Luther, was through his faith and relationship with God. His concept of freedom led to other groups fighting for their religious freedom. Some people do not consider themselves to be spiritual, so the representation of freedom must differ for them, and one such variant includes independence, which is a type of freedom. Independence does have a connection to Luther through the indulgences

Why was the term Puritan an appropriate or suitable characterization of the Calvinists within the English Church seeking further reformation?

Throughout history people have questioned election. The question is whether people are predestined to be called to heaven and can not reject the Holy Spirit’s calling such as a John Calvin. Or do we have the free will to accept or deny the Holy Spirit’s calling into our lives such as James Arminius believed. Or is it something else just as Karl Barth or Augustine believed in. But for the purpose of this paper we will look at Calvinism and Arminius viewpoints and touch on the view points of other theologians throughout history to come up with an accurate conclusion of which of the two main theological ideas is most likely the case of election.

There are individuals who question God while suffering and there are those that do not. While growing up, everybody is taught the characteristics of God. However, when individuals find themselves in a situation that contradicts everything learned about God, they undergo a phase when they challenge everything about God until they find where their faith lies. Individuals who suffer can see their suffering as God’s punishment onto them for committing a deed that they should not have. However, there are individuals who are completely innocent and yet stricken with immense suffering. Due to this, a religion’s view of God plays a major role in the lives of those who are suffering. Therefore, these individuals can view God as cruel instead of being merciful, loving, and

John Calvin was born on July 10th, 1509 in Noyon, Picardy, France. He studied at the universities of Paris, Bourges, and Orleans. He was a key leader of the Protestant Reformation. He wrote many protestant works like Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin was also a revolutionary theologian and leader, developing the religion of Calvinism and doctrine of predestination. In addition, Calvin reorganized the city of Geneva, Switzerland and made it into an example theocracy. John Calvin died on May 27th, 1564 in Geneva, Switzerland, but his ideas and achievements have lived on. In fact, the average citizen should care about him because of the contributions he has made to the world, however positive or negative they may be. John Calvin’s three main contributions that make him historically significant are his development of the doctrine of predestination, his revolutionary reform of the education system, and his emphasis on the protestant work ethic.