Calvin Predeterminism: Pagan fate and fatalism

[Ghada]

As a preacher of righteousness, Calvin was a faithful minister of Christ.

However, his search for why some people repent for Jesus' sake, and some do not led him to an answer, that is not God's. In fact, it's a question without an answer, because God Himself doesn't understand it:

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Other than the two-edged sword of being created with freewill, to choose to do good or evil, there is no answer why not.

In the end, Calvin only manipulated Scripture to force a reason why many don't repent for Jesus' sake, and the result is a Christianized version of pagan fate and fatalism.

According to fatalism, men have no freewill to choose for themselves their way in life. It's all predetermined by the 'fates', or blind fate. People were either born to be rulers and masters or servants and slaves. It was the pagan basis for lordship and servitude.

Those 'born' to rule was also called 'Fortune's Favorites'. Predeterminism is the same thing. Some are chosen before birth to do good or evil. To be resurrected unto life or shame.

The Bible is the one book of God in the world, that shatters pagan fatalism, by declaring from the beginning, that all men are created in the image of God, which is having heart and spirit to choose what to do, and not bound by birth, will of men, nor environment.

It's not by mistake that Calvin first had to do away with freewill, since there is no answer for why some choose to do good, and others choose to do evil. Some choose to serve the Lord, and some choose to serve themselves with the devil.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I am writing a book that briefly mentions Fatalism. Where did you source the information?

The First 150 Years of Knowledge
When referencing the Early Church Fathers we only use approximately the first 150 years after Christ. This is because only those people would have had access to the teachings of the Church as it was at the time of the Apostles. Anyone coming hundreds of years later, like Augustine were not acquainted with church tradition and would have had to rely upon only the written text of others to form doctrines.

The bad news for Predestination, and the good news for those who believe God desires the salvation for all who will accept it, is the Early Church spoke against a form of Predestination that was creeping into the church that was known as Fatalism.

Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] States Man Has Free Will
The Book the Ante-Nicene Fathers contains the writings of the Early Church and many passages supporting free will in man. The passages fight a form of Predestination, that at the time was known as Fatalism.

After presenting his credentials we will share an excerpt from Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] from the Ante-Nicene Fathers translated by the Reverend Dods. It is said of Justin Martyr:

The writings of Justin Martyr are among the most important that have come down to us from the second century. He was not the first that wrote an Apology in behalf of the Christians, but his Apologies are the earliest extant. (Rev. Dods 1867, Justin Martyr - Introduction)

In the exert from Justin we have placed below it stresses that just because the scripture states that God knows things beforehand does not negate free will in man. He stresses that man could not be held guilty for sin, if he did not choose it of himself. This is a great counter to Predestination, which as a doctrine states, God is responsible for choosing the end state of man, that man’s will plays no part. Below follows Justin’s discourse.

But lest some suppose, from what has been said by us, that we say that whatever happens, happens by a fatal necessity, because it is foretold as known beforehand, this too we explain. We have learned from the prophets, and we hold it to be true, that punishments, and chastisements, and good rewards, are rendered according to the merit of each man’s actions. Since if it be not so, but all things happen by fate, neither is anything at all in our own power. For if it be fated that this man, e.g., be good, and this other evil, neither is the former meritorious nor the latter to be blamed. And again, unless the human race have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions, of whatever kind they be. But that it is by free choice they both walk uprightly and stumble, we thus demonstrate. We see the same man making a transition to opposite things. Now, if it had been fated that he were to be either good or bad, he could never have been capable of both the opposites, nor of so many transitions. But not even would some be good and others bad, since we thus make fate the cause of evil, and exhibit her as acting in opposition to herself; or that which has been already stated would seem to be true, that neither virtue nor vice is anything, but that things are only reckoned good or evil by opinion; which, as the true word shows, is the greatest impiety and wickedness. But this we assert is inevitable fate, that they who choose the good have worthy rewards, and they who choose the opposite have their merited awards. For not like other things, as trees and quadrupeds, which cannot act by choice, did God make man: for neither would he be worthy of reward or praise did he not of himself choose the good, but were created for this end; nor, if he were evil, would he be worthy of punishment, not being evil of himself, but being able to be nothing else than what he was made (Rev. Dods 1867, Justin Martyr - First Apology - Ch 43)

 

[Arial]

I am writing a book that briefly mentions Fatalism. Where did you source the information?

The First 150 Years of Knowledge
When referencing the Early Church Fathers we only use approximately the first 150 years after Christ. This is because only those people would have had access to the teachings of the Church as it was at the time of the Apostles. Anyone coming hundreds of years later, like Augustine were not acquainted with church tradition and would have had to rely upon only the written text of others to form doctrines.

The bad news for Predestination, and the good news for those who believe God desires the salvation for all who will accept it, is the Early Church spoke against a form of Predestination that was creeping into the church that was known as Fatalism.

Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] States Man Has Free Will
The Book the Ante-Nicene Fathers contains the writings of the Early Church and many passages supporting free will in man. The passages fight a form of Predestination, that at the time was known as Fatalism.

After presenting his credentials we will share an excerpt from Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] from the Ante-Nicene Fathers translated by the Reverend Dods. It is said of Justin Martyr:

The writings of Justin Martyr are among the most important that have come down to us from the second century. He was not the first that wrote an Apology in behalf of the Christians, but his Apologies are the earliest extant. (Rev. Dods 1867, Justin Martyr - Introduction)

In the exert from Justin we have placed below it stresses that just because the scripture states that God knows things beforehand does not negate free will in man. He stresses that man could not be held guilty for sin, if he did not choose it of himself. This is a great counter to Predestination, which as a doctrine states, God is responsible for choosing the end state of man, that man’s will plays no part. Below follows Justin’s discourse.

But lest some suppose, from what has been said by us, that we say that whatever happens, happens by a fatal necessity, because it is foretold as known beforehand, this too we explain. We have learned from the prophets, and we hold it to be true, that punishments, and chastisements, and good rewards, are rendered according to the merit of each man’s actions. Since if it be not so, but all things happen by fate, neither is anything at all in our own power. For if it be fated that this man, e.g., be good, and this other evil, neither is the former meritorious nor the latter to be blamed. And again, unless the human race have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions, of whatever kind they be. But that it is by free choice they both walk uprightly and stumble, we thus demonstrate. We see the same man making a transition to opposite things. Now, if it had been fated that he were to be either good or bad, he could never have been capable of both the opposites, nor of so many transitions. But not even would some be good and others bad, since we thus make fate the cause of evil, and exhibit her as acting in opposition to herself; or that which has been already stated would seem to be true, that neither virtue nor vice is anything, but that things are only reckoned good or evil by opinion; which, as the true word shows, is the greatest impiety and wickedness. But this we assert is inevitable fate, that they who choose the good have worthy rewards, and they who choose the opposite have their merited awards. For not like other things, as trees and quadrupeds, which cannot act by choice, did God make man: for neither would he be worthy of reward or praise did he not of himself choose the good, but were created for this end; nor, if he were evil, would he be worthy of punishment, not being evil of himself, but being able to be nothing else than what he was made (Rev. Dods 1867, Justin Martyr - First Apology - Ch 43)

Biblical predestination and the things found in fatalism are not the same thing. Are you using fatalism to discredit predestination? If so, this would be a glaring flaw in your book.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Biblical predestination and the things found in fatalism are not the same thing. Are you using fatalism to discredit predestination? If so, this would be a glaring flaw in your book.

No, I just reference that Fatalism has similar ideas to Predestination, the idea that our destinies are fixed. The quotes I use are generic, and not related to fatalism directly. Because fatalism was fixing destinies the early church wrote a lot on genuine free will in man (just in their general writtings).

 

[Arial]

No, I just reference that Fatalism has similar ideas to Predestination, the idea that our destinies are fixed. The quotes I use are generic, and not related to fatalism directly. Because fatalism was fixing destinies the early church wrote a lot on genuine free will in man (just in their general writtings).

To that I would have to say so what? What are you trying to present. Why bring up fatalism if the topic is predestination? If the topic is fatalism, why bring up predestination? Do you even know that the doctrine of predestination is a part of the doctrines of grace, commonly expressed in TULIP? And that the doctrines of grace are dealing with soteriology---not fatalism? Not even "genuine free will in man." It seems if you are going to write a book on free will, first you should establish that there is such a thing and give it a specific definition.

 

[Ghada]

I am writing a book that briefly mentions Fatalism. Where did you source the information?

From past understanding of such paganism compared to the Bible.

Justin Martyr [A.D. 110-165] States Man Has Free Will
The Book the Ante-Nicene Fathers contains the writings of the Early Church and many passages supporting free will in man. The passages fight a form of Predestination, that at the time was known as Fatalism.

I'd be interested in what verses.

It all begins with all men and women being created equally in God's image. The Bible is not hard to teach, nor false doctrine to rebuke, if we just take God at His own words.

But lest some suppose, from what has been said by us, that we say that whatever happens, happens by a fatal necessity, because it is foretold as known beforehand, this too we explain.

The error of predetermined fatalism, is that God foreknowing does mean God foredetermining.

God knows all things from the beginning, because He watches it all unfold unto the end.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;

The error is to think any soul made by Christ, is more special or worse than any other. God foreknows all babes formed in the belly.

And before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee;

This also includes all babes born on earth, because all men coming into the world are lightened by Christ equally. This also debunks any soul created by Christ coming into the world darkened with sin.

And I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

And here, we have a final assumption, that Jeremiah was called to be a prophet as a babe. (Which leads into old Jewish fables, that he came out of the womb prophecying. What did baby Lord and God Jesus say when born??)

All babes are made and formed and foreknown by Christ in the womb. Not all are later called and ordained to be an apostle, prophet, nor teacher of Christ.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

By proper reading of Jerem 1:5 in context of all Scripture, that all souls coming into the word are made equally in the image of God, we see that all babes are foreknown and sanctified by the light of Christ at birth.

Only with growth is anyone called and ordained to the Lord's ministry on earth.

And again, unless the human race have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions, of whatever kind they be.

This is the common sense argument of responsible men and women, who know that we alone are to blame for doing evil. And once again, it is simple belief in Scripture, declaring that we are all judged by our works without respect of persons.

The dirty little hypocritical secret of predetermined fatalists, is that they don't want to be held responsible for their deeds. They further take pride in being predetermined by God Himself to be chosen before the world even began. They make themselves puffed up little lambs with God and the Word in the beginning.

It's akin to Lucifer declaring he would also rule as God in the beginning of the world. It's the vain promise of also being as gods with God in the beginning.

But this we assert is inevitable fate, that they who choose the good have worthy rewards,

And this is the truth of the Bible, declared as heresy by all prechosen determinists, as well as self-justifying unrepented workers of iniquity.

Salvation is not for reward of any past works, which we have done of our own will and power.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

But resurrection from the dead unto life certainly is the inherited reward for choosing to repent of our sinning, and serve the Lord with fear and righteousness unto the end.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

 

[Ghada]

Why bring up fatalism if the topic is predestination?

Because predetermining who, is pagan fatalism.

Fatalism determines that everyone born into the world, already has a predetermined fate, that cannot be altered by what we choose to do in life.

Predetermined Christians call pagan fate 'God', rather than the idol goddess of old. (It's much like Marxologists calling Vesta of the Sacred Fire, Mary with the Sacred Womb.)

Neither give heed to fables, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Calvin's predestination of who is already chosen before the world, is predetermined fatalism. It's not God predetermining what the chosen are commanded to conform to.

All men everywhere are called to repentance, but only the few choosing to repent for Jesus' sake, are chosen of God to be conformed to His Son's image.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Why bring up fatalism if the topic is predestination?

Because predetermining who, is pagan fatalism.

Fatalism determines that everyone born into the world, already has a predetermined fate, that cannot be altered by what we choose to do in life.

Yup. That's "TULIP" in plain terms. If you're "Elect", you're good to go, and if you're NOT "elect", you're firewood and nobody has any choice in the matter whatsoever.

The Calvinist will say: "You don't understand - study more"

 

[Ghada]

The Calvinist will say: "You don't understand - study more"

It's what all heretics say in the end, when we keep bringing Bible verses to the table.

I know this, because I was once in a cultist Pentecostal holiness group. When anyone tried to argue from the Bible, we said we don't argue about the Bible...

Cults only look for the compliant, that are willing to learn without question.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Nothing new under the sun.

 

[Josheb]

Another baseless criticism of Calvin and Calvinism built on falsehoods, red herrings, and straw men that will end with the Cals here handing out the truth. For example....

........it's a question without an answer, because God Himself doesn't understand it:

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

The omniscient (all-knowing) God is said not to understand His own creatures living in His own creation and that nonsense is reached because of a failure to understand a rhetorical question found in a proof-texted verse ripped from its context that God has answered elsewhere in His word.

Ezekiel 18:1-9
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children's teeth are set on edge'? "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore. "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die. "But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness................ if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully—he is righteous and will surely live," declares the Lord GOD.

God had answered the question, "Why will you die...?" before he asked it and the op cuts the verse out of its larger passage and contexts and then perverts it to abuse both God and Calvinism.

Ezekiel 18:18-21
As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, behold, he will die for his iniquity. Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

They die because they sin, and they stay dead because they will not repent, and God knows it all.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

John 8:24
Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death...

God knows why.


Bad op.

 

[Josheb]

Other than the two-edged sword of being created with freewill, to choose to do good or evil, there is no answer why not.

First, humans were not created to do evil. That's just wrong. Being created with free will does not mean anyone was created to do evil, either. Having the capacity to disobey God is not synonymous with purpose - created to choose anything, created to do anything evil. Scripture states those called by His name were created for His glory.

Isaiah 43:7
Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.

Those called by His name were created for His glory. Perhaps those not created to glorify Him were not called by His name . Either way, no one was created to choose evil.

 

[Josheb]

In the end, Calvin only manipulated Scripture to force a reason why many don't repent for Jesus' sake...

Prove it.

Please provide three examples of Calvin (in his own words) manipulating scripture to force a reason why people do not repent.

 

[Carbon]

You have things so tangled up, phew. Let me try to help you out.

As a preacher of righteousness, Calvin was a faithful minister of Christ.

However, his search for why some people repent for Jesus' sake, and some do not led him to an answer, that is not God's. In fact, it's a question without an answer, because God Himself doesn't understand it:

You're starting to tangle things up here.

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

So, are you claiming man has the ability to do these things? So, man can cast away all his transgressions? Man can make himself a new heart and spirit?

Other than the two-edged sword of being created with freewill, to choose to do good or evil, there is no answer why not.

In the end, Calvin only manipulated Scripture to force a reason why many don't repent for Jesus' sake, and the result is a Christianized version of pagan fate and fatalism.

I bet you don't understand the difference between predestination and fatalism.

According to fatalism, men have no freewill to choose for themselves their way in life.

It's all predetermined by the 'fates', or blind fate. People were either born to be rulers and masters or servants and slaves. It was the pagan basis for lordship and servitude.

And how is this anything like predestination?

Those 'born' to rule was also called 'Fortune's Favorites'. Predeterminism is the same thing. Some are chosen before birth to do good or evil. To be resurrected unto life or shame.

Really? Scripture teaches some are born to do good., others to do bad? Is this predestination? Please elaborate.

The Bible is the one book of God in the world, that shatters pagan fatalism, by declaring from the beginning, that all men are created in the image of God, which is having heart and spirit to choose what to do, and not bound by birth, will of men, nor environment.

That's what being created in God's image means. It seems more like you're suggesting all men are little gods.

It's not by mistake that Calvin first had to do away with freewill,

Calvin had to do away with free will?

Can you prove your accusations?

since there is no answer for why some choose to do good, and others choose to do evil. Some choose to serve the Lord, and some choose to serve themselves with the devil.

All by free choice?

 

[Josheb]

According to fatalism, men have no freewill to choose for themselves their way in life.

Fatalism is not Calvinism. Calvin never denied the existence of free will. Calvinism does not deny the existence of free will. If the "According to fatalism...." sentence is intended to be something Calvinism teaches, then it is a gross misrepresentation of Calvinism. So gross in the substance of its misrepresentation that it goes beyond straw man AND red herring to blatant falsehood. fatalism has nothing to do with Calvin's views.

We live in the digital age. That means ANYONE can own an electronic copy of Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion," and the within seconds, discover Calvin used the phrase "free will" in his book more than six dozen times! In other words, there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for even remotely insinuating Calvin denied free will or suggesting fatalism has anything to do with Calvin's teachings.

In point of fact, when Calvin attempted to describe what it meant that man was created in God's image, one of the attributes he listed was,
"This power and office of the intellect and will in man before the fall. Man's free will." (chapter 15 of Book 1).

Calvin believed humanity was endowed with free will. He believed the freedom of the will was lost due to sin, not God making humans without free will. Arminius agreed.

 

[Josheb]

According to fatalism, men have no freewill to choose for themselves their way in life. It's all predetermined by the 'fates', or blind fate. People were either born to be rulers and masters or servants and slaves. It was the pagan basis for lordship and servitude.

Those 'born' to rule was also called 'Fortune's Favorites'. Predeterminism is the same thing. Some are chosen before birth to do good or evil. To be resurrected unto life or shame.

The Bible is the one book of God in the world, that shatters pagan fatalism, by declaring from the beginning, that all men are created in the image of God, which is having heart and spirit to choose what to do, and not bound by birth, will of men, nor environment.

Calvinism has nothing to do with the pagan view of the fates and the determinism of fate.

"Those who would cast obloquy on this doctrine, calumniate it as the dogma of the Stoics concerning fate. The same charge was formerly brought against Augustine. We are unwilling to dispute about the words; but we do not admit the term Fate, both because it is of the class of which Paul teaches us to shun, as profane novelties, and also because it is attempted, by means of an odious term, to fix a stigma on the truth of God. But the dogma itself is falsely and maliciously imputed to us. For we do not with the Stoics imagine a necessity consisting of a perpetual chain of causes, and a kind of involved series contained in nature, but we hold that God is the disposer and ruler of all things, - that from the remotest eternity, according to His own wisdom, He decreed what He was to do, and now by His power executes what He decreed." (Book 1; Chapter 16)​

Fate and fatalism have nothing to do with Calvinism.

 

[Josheb]

It's not by mistake that Calvin first had to do away with freewill...

Calvin never did away with free will.

....since there is no answer for why some choose to do good, and others choose to do evil.

Calvin explained why some do evil and some do good but nowhere is a single word Calvin ever wrote found anywhere in this op. The entire op is a series of baseless false accusation.

Some choose to serve the Lord, and some choose to serve themselves with the devil.

Got scripture for that?

 

[Josheb]

As a preacher of righteousness, Calvin was a faithful minister of Christ.

However, his search for why some people repent for Jesus' sake, and some do not led him to an answer, that is not God's. In fact, it's a question without an answer, because God Himself doesn't understand it:

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Other than the two-edged sword of being created with freewill, to choose to do good or evil, there is no answer why not.

In the end, Calvin only manipulated Scripture to force a reason why many don't repent for Jesus' sake, and the result is a Christianized version of pagan fate and fatalism.

According to fatalism, men have no freewill to choose for themselves their way in life. It's all predetermined by the 'fates', or blind fate. People were either born to be rulers and masters or servants and slaves. It was the pagan basis for lordship and servitude.

Those 'born' to rule was also called 'Fortune's Favorites'. Predeterminism is the same thing. Some are chosen before birth to do good or evil. To be resurrected unto life or shame.

The Bible is the one book of God in the world, that shatters pagan fatalism, by declaring from the beginning, that all men are created in the image of God, which is having heart and spirit to choose what to do, and not bound by birth, will of men, nor environment.

It's not by mistake that Calvin first had to do away with freewill, since there is no answer for why some choose to do good, and others choose to do evil. Some choose to serve the Lord, and some choose to serve themselves with the devil.

Is it good and acceptable to accuse others without evidence?

 

[Ghada]

The omniscient (all-knowing) God is said not to understand His own creatures living in His own creation

When people don't take God's words seriously in prophecy, neither will they in doctrine.

When God asks His own people why they choose to die rather than obey Him, he does not give a reason why, other than calling it a hardened heart and stiff neck unto destruction.

People who don't take God's words seriously, also honor Him as all knowing with their lips, while not honoring Him with faith in the words of His mouth.

before he asked it and the op cuts the verse out of its larger passage and contexts and then perverts it to abuse both God and Calvinism.

Calvin has lots of pseudo-scholar fans, because it took bogus scholarship on Calvin's part to come up with an answer, that God asks and does not answer.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

Some people promote reading Scripture as science, rather than with faith, and so they depart from the faith of God revealed in Scripture, in order puff up their own 'scholarship'.

I have also found it's mostly done by unrepented sinners, that first learned to turn the truth of God into a lie, by justifying their own ongoing sinning against God. They go on to do the same with prophecy and any other doctrine of God in the Bible, that they don't like.

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, declaring good and evil.

It becomes a habit of the proud, that think their words matter as much as, and then even more than God's, because they believe they will live forever as gods in their own right.

Ezekiel 18:18-21
As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was not good among his people, behold, he will die for his iniquity. Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

They die because they sin, and they stay dead because they will not repent, and God knows it all.

Those who first refuse to believe the exact words of the Bible, also do the same with those teaching His words exactly as written.

The question is why the unrepentant refuse to repent and live. Not why sinners die by sinning.

Bad op.

Bad to the bone.

And otherwise preacher of righteousness, the overzealous Calvin tried to answer a question God is still asking. The end result of the latter days, that he himself would denounce, is self-styled lambs known from the beginning with God and the word.

And then descending into the ditch of declaring their salvation is guarranteed from the beginning, and secured forever, no matter how they are live at the end.

Calvin was not at all a believer in unconditonal salvation by faith alone.

 

[Ghada]

First, humans were not created to do evil. That's just wrong. Being created with free will does not mean anyone was created to do evil, either.

True.

Having the capacity to disobey God is not synonymous with purpose -

The creature's purpose, not the Creator.

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.

On purpose. By own free will. Starting with Lucifer.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death

created to choose anything,

To choose to do good or evil.

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Becoming as gods of own power, is to choose to do good or evil by own will. The lie is that any such god will live forever as the Lord God.

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing both good and evil.

created to do anything evil.

True. God creates all creatures to do good, for His good pleasure.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

But some creatures are created in His image to choose to do good with Him, or evil against Him.

Scripture states those called by His name were created for His glory.

True. Some don't love His name at all, and others only name His name with their lips.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 

[Ghada]

Please provide three examples of Calvin (in his own words) manipulating scripture to force a reason why people do not repent.

Seriously? False teachers do not qualify their teaching, as manipulation of Scripture.

Calvin's predestination of who will be created unto salvation, created unto destruction doctrine, is a derailed scholar's effort to answer why some sinners do repent, and others do not.

He's basically applying the reason why angels cannot repent, to men that choose not to.

We see in Scripture that no angel that sins, has any space to repent.

God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;