[Vision2020] Is John Calvin an Intolerista?

Tue Nov 1 15:31:40 PST 2005

Gabe, et al,

The problem that Calvin struggled with is that of the alleged Christian God's foreknowledge and whether freewill (non-predestination) exists.

The problem, stripped of all its centuries of theological obscuration, is quite simple:

When this alleged God (allegedly) created humankind on earth either [1] God did not or [2] God did know of the consequences of its/her/his actions.

[1]    If this alleged God did not know the consequences of its/her/his actions,  having allegedly given humankind freewill (the freedom to freely choose their actions, i.e., the actions of humankind are not predetermined by this alleged God), then God is not omniscient (all-knowing).  

On the other hand:

[2]    If this alleged God did know the consequences of its/her/his actions such as the insane amount of pain, suffering, misery, etc its/her/his alleged act of creation wrought, then God is not omnibenevolent (perfectly good).

In either case, the alleged God which certain Christian sects insist is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent, cannot exist since omniscience and omnibenevolence are mutually exclusive.

The above represents no original thinking on my part.  This dilemma has been discussed since at least the times of Plato.  For example, Boethius described this dilemma quite incisively in the early part of the fifth century BC.

What is most instructive and character revealing about Gabe's announcement is that Christ Church Cultmaster Douglas Wilson is attempting to delude his flock and others into thinking that he, of all past and present humankind, has solved the problem.

Can you say "Extreme Egomania"?

Can you say "Ultimate Hubris"?

Cheers,

Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
deco at moscow.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gabe Rench" <k5grench at hotmail.com>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 2:37 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Is John Calvin an Intolerista?

> For those who are interested,
> 
> Topic: Is John Calvin an Intolerista?
> 
> -The Burning of Servetus
> -Theocracy in Geneva
> -Predestination: damnable heresy?
> 
> Speaker: Doug Wilson, Pastor of Christ Church
> 
> Where: U of I, SUB Silver and Gold room
> Time: 7:30pm on Wednesday November 2nd
> 
> 
> <html><DIV>Because of Him </DIV>Gabriel Rench</html>
> 
> 
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