Calvinism or the "Reformed Faith"

[Nicholas H.C]

Can someone tell me what there ideolgies are and what there beliefs are? Inforamtion on the internet is kinda vague. For somereason I have been really intrested in this, I don't why.

[VALIS]

Calvinism is basically where they believe you are born into sin and are full of sin even before you actually commit any sins as described by the Bible, therefore you need to commit your entire life asking forgiveness for this sin (despite the fact you didn't even commit it!).

Its probably the strictest form of Christianity imo.

[Nicholas H.C]

Really? I read somewhere that Calvinism nations were "overjoyed"

[VALIS]

What Calvinist nations?

[Nicholas H.C]

Wasen't the dutch republic's de facto religion Calvinism?

[VALIS]

Well the Dutch republic is as dead as the Dodo and the Netherlands is a secular nation now. Regardless you asked what Calvinists believe and what I told you is the basic fundamental separating belief they have.

[MaximiIian]

Well the Dutch republic is as dead as the Dodo and the Netherlands is a secular nation now. Regardless you asked what Calvinists believe and what I told you is the basic fundamental separating belief they have.

Well, that and Predestination. Predestination is probably the thing that separated Calvinist doctrine from all other Protestant branches at the time, in addition to the "total depravity" bit.

[Nicholas H.C]

Wow its hard to beleive that it would be that strict, pretty intense If you ask me...

[VALIS]

Blame that bitch Eve, it's all her fault. Women eh?

[Ishoss]

We're currently discussing (read:reading) about why Europe rocketed ahead of every nation during the 15-xx century in history, and one of the reasons that the book suggests is calvinism. While Catholic kings used their money too say "Hey, guys, I am rich. See my nice golden palace? See my guards wearing golden boots?" the calvinists were more like "DAMNIT!!!! More money! SINFUL MONEY! I HAVE to use those money so no one see that I am RICH!" thus increasing the wealth of the calvinist cities, because they invested it in things they sold. (Thus hiding the money)

[Bovril]

We're currently discussing (read:reading) about why Europe rocketed ahead of every nation during the 15-xx century in history, and one of the reasons that the book suggests is calvinism. While Catholic kings used their money too say "Hey, guys, I am rich. See my nice golden palace? See my guards wearing golden boots?" the calvinists were more like "DAMNIT!!!! More money! SINFUL MONEY! I HAVE to use those money so no one see that I am RICH!" thus increasing the wealth of the calvinist cities, because they invested it in things they sold. (Thus hiding the money)

According to Weber, who introduced this idea, its a general Protestant thing, not just Calvinist. Its a little more complicated than what you have said. His book 'The Protestant ethic and the spirit of Capitalism' is an interesting read, and I recommend it to anyone.

[Chaigidel]

calvinists believe in something called predesitination

they believe that only 144 thousand souls will be saved at the end of time, and they are called the Elect

the elect cannot be changed, nor fall, nor be damned, they are the chosen ones beyond all reproach.

calvinists of course believed they were the elect.

so to say we are all born to be damned, except for those 144 thousand calvinist elect.

[VALIS]

calvinists believe in something called predesitination

they believe that only 144 thousand souls will be saved at the end of time, and they are called the Elect

the elect cannot be changed, nor fall, nor be damned, they are the chosen ones beyond all reproach.

calvinists of course believed they were the elect.

so to say we are all born to be damned, except for those 144 thousand calvinist elect.

But there are more than 144,000 Calvinists. What will the other calvinists do? Or are they all in competiton for one another?

[Nicholas H.C]

I guess..

[cfmonkey45]

No, he's thinking of the Jehovah's Witness.

Calvinism itself is a "dead" sect as no one follows it per se. However, Baptists, Puritans, and certain other denominations like Presbyterians believe in Predestination and other beliefs.


The idea of Predestination stems from the problem of freewill versus Divine Prescience. Their conclusion was that the "Elect" of God were predistined to go to heaven, banking on the latter choice. They revealed themselves to be the elect by being morally upstanding, pious, and followers of God.

Its an interesting concept IMHO, but I personally believe that said debate is irrelevant because the answer is both. Gods Predestined will is that you have Free Choice, thus even though he knows the outcome, its still our own sovereign choice.

[Chaigidel]

exactly they thought that the best of us would naturally be the elect, thus the best people were those souls chosen to be redeemed at the beginning of time, Im not thinking of jehovahs witnesses.

[Chaigidel]

very interesting concept, no doubt many such nuanced webs of interaction occured throughout history.

[Nicholas H.C]

Could be one of the reasons why the Dutch were rich too Ishoss?

[Ishoss]

Could be one of the reasons why the Dutch were rich too Ishoss?

According too my history book, yeah.

And also one of the reasons behind the Spanish decline.

[Carpathian Wolf]

Predestination is non sense. Read Romans "You must CHOOSE if you are to live to be of this world or of Christ."

You can't choose if you are predestined can you? And the word predestined doesn't appear in the bible. The word purposed does, which sometimes by some sects is translated as predestined...wonder why.