# Neo-Calvinism vs The Bible  ## A Prayer of Gratitude and Confession - A prayer is offered at the beginning, expressing gratitude for God's unchanging nature and the eternal perspective of His word, and asking for salvations, renewed minds, encouragement, and correction through the teaching of the word [(00:04:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=281s). - The prayer also includes a moment of personal confession and silence, referencing 1 John 1:9, to prepare for the ministry of the Spirit [(00:06:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=365s). - The topic of discussion is [[Neo-Calvinism]] versus [[Bible | the Bible]], specifically looking at the source of Calvin's theology [(00:07:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=449s). - The study is divided into sections, with the current section focusing on Roman numeral 3, which explores the source of Calvin's theology [(00:07:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=479s). ## Questioning the Source of Calvin's Theology - John Calvin's theology is often portrayed as being derived solely from scripture, but it is suggested that there may be other influences at play [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=491s). - The true source of John Calvin's theology is questioned, particularly in relation to his work "**The Institutes of the** **Christian** **Religion**" [(00:08:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=525s). - Two major influences on Calvin's theology are identified: [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] and the Institutes of the Christian Religion [(00:09:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=558s). - Calvin's literary dependence on Augustine is highlighted as a key area of discussion [(00:10:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=601s). - [[John Calvin]] was literarily dependent on Augustine, referencing him 4,119 times in his writings and acknowledging his dependence on Augustine's theology in his Treatise on the Eternal Predestination of [[God]] [(00:10:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=606s). - Calvin's literary dependence on Augustine is demonstrated in a doctoral dissertation by Ken Wilson titled "The Foundation of [[Augustinians | Augustinian]] [[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]]," which is considered a top academic source on the topic [(00:10:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=621s). - Calvin often quotes Augustine in his writings, and his theology is heavily influenced by Augustine's ideas, with Calvin stating that he could write a confession of his faith using Augustine's writings [(00:11:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=684s). - Augustine is considered the "quintessential [[Catholic Church | Catholic]]" and his theology has been influential in the development of Catholicism, with Calvin bringing many of these ideas into the [[Protestantism | Protestant]] movement [(00:11:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=716s). ## Calvin's Literary Dependence on Augustine - Calvinism has been criticized for being a form of "recycled Roman Catholicism" repackaged for a Protestant audience, with many of its key ideas coming from [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] [(00:12:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=728s). - Examples of Calvin's dependence on Augustine can be seen in his Institutes, where he quotes Augustine on the importance of adhering to the way of faith and the truth of God's power [(00:12:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=779s). - Calvin also adopted Augustine's idea of double predestination, which holds that some people are elected to salvation while others are doomed to damnation [(00:13:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=833s). - Calvin's idea of double predestination is based on Augustine's writings, which emphasize the idea that [[God]] has foreseen the destruction of the non-elect and that this destruction is just [(00:14:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=875s). - Augustine's influence on [[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]] can be seen in the way that Calvinists often appeal to Augustine's authority to defend their views, with Calvin himself stating that he would hesitate to question Augustine's views [(00:14:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=863s). - [[John Calvin]] heavily referenced Augustine in his writings, quoting him over 400 times in his Institutes alone and over 4,000 times in his combined writings, often referring to him as "holy man" and "Holy Father" [(00:15:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=958s). - Calvin's admiration for [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] is seen as a faithful saying, with Augustine's words having more authority than his own, and Calvin even going so far as to order "senseless teachers" to retire from the church, echoing Augustine's sentiments [(00:15:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=908s). - However, this mindset of referring to men as "holy man" or "Holy Father" is seen as contradictory to Jesus' teachings in [[Matthew 23]]:8-9, where He says not to call anyone on [[Earth]] "father" because we have one Father in heaven [(00:17:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1024s). - This [[Catholic Church | Roman Catholic]] mentality of referring to certain people as "holy" is also seen in the way some people refer to Augustine as "St. Augustine", which is not a [[Protestantism | Protestant]] mindset [(00:17:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1070s). ## Double Predestination: Augustine's Influence on Calvin - The idea that all believers are [[Saint | saints]] is emphasized, with [[J. Vernon McGee]] saying that if you're not a saint, you're not a believer, because we all have the transferred righteousness of [[Jesus]] through faith alone and Christ alone [(00:18:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1084s). - The speaker shares a personal anecdote about being referred to as "father" by a local guide in [[Rome]], and how they corrected her, explaining that as a Protestant, they do not use such titles [(00:19:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1140s). - Calvin is quoted as saying that he agrees with [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] that the Lord has created those who He certainly foreknew would go to condemnation, highlighting the influence of Augustine's theology on Calvin's own beliefs [(00:19:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1194s). - The concept of double predestination, which suggests that [[God]] wills some people to destruction and damnation, is rooted in the idea that God's will is not to be questioned, and that His justice is the supreme standard [(00:20:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1210s). - This concept is attributed to [[John Calvin]], who got it from Augustine, a theologian who had a significant influence on Calvin's ideas [(00:20:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1237s). ## The Resurgence of Neo-Calvinism and Augustinianism - The resurgence of [[Neo-Calvinism]] has led to a recycling of [[Augustinianism]] in the life of the church, making it essential to understand who Augustine was and what his ideas were [(00:21:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1310s). - [[Jesus]] taught that a tree is known by its fruit, and that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit, illustrating the concept that the root determines the fruit [(00:22:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1322s). - The root of [[Neo-Calvinism]] is [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]], and understanding him is crucial to understanding Neo-Calvinism and determining whether it is good or not [(00:23:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1411s). - Augustine is considered the most influential theologian in church history, but his influence has been largely negative, casting a long shadow over the church that the [[Protestantism | Protestant]] reformers did not fully escape [(00:24:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1454s). - Despite his significant influence, many [[Christianity | Christians]] know very little about Augustine, making it essential to study his life and ideas to understand their impact on the church [(00:24:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1445s). - The Protestant movement inherited some [[Augustinians | Augustinian]] ideas, which are still prevalent today, and many people are unknowingly sitting under a form of recycled Augustinianism [(00:24:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1497s). ## Augustine's Life and Influence - [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] was a man who lived from approximately AD 343 to AD 430, and his thoughts had a significant impact on Calvin, who lived from 1509 to 1564 and incorporated Augustinian ideas into his writings [(00:25:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1515s). - Calvin's portrayal as someone who derived his ideas solely from scripture is inaccurate, as he read scripture through the lens of Augustine's thoughts [(00:25:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1557s). - Augustine is considered the father of determinism, which holds that some people are predestined for heaven and others for hell, with little to no choice given to the individual [(00:26:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1572s). - Determinism is a view of God's sovereignty that emphasizes God's control while allowing no free will for humans [(00:26:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1596s). - Lewis Burkhoff, a systematic theologian, notes that predestination was not a significant topic of discussion in church history until the time of Augustine [(00:27:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1641s). - The early church fathers did not have a clear conception of predestination, and instead viewed it as God's pre-knowledge of human deeds, which determines their future destiny [(00:28:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1681s). - The prevenient view, which allows for free will, was the dominant view of the early church until Augustine's influence changed the perspective [(00:28:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1720s). - Calvinism's aggressive stance against the prevenient view can be attributed to its roots in [[Augustinians | Augustinian]] thought [(00:28:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1739s). ## Interpreting the Bible and Theological Lenses - It is essential for Bible readers to be aware of their own theological lenses and to use the literal method of interpretation to allow [[Bible | the Bible]] to correct their understanding [(00:29:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1767s). - Interpreters of the Bible should avoid developing a perspective too early, as this can lead to a biased interpretation of the evidence, similar to how forensic experts try to remain neutral and let the evidence guide their conclusions [(00:29:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1783s). - [[John Calvin]] is believed to have fallen in love with the Augustinian mindset and recycled biblical data through a pre-existing lens, rather than interpreting the evidence objectively [(00:30:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1842s). ## Augustine and Amillennialism - [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] is considered the father of [[Amillennialism | amillennialism]], a doctrine that suggests the current age is the kingdom of [[God]] and the church is the new [[Israel]], with Israel's promises being transferred to the church through allegorical interpretation [(00:31:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1863s). - Amillennialists only transfer the blessings of Israel to the church, not the curses, and interpret biblical promises in a non-literal sense [(00:31:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1894s). - The term "amillennialism" comes from the [[Latin]] word "millennium," meaning a thousand years, and the prefix "a," which denies the existence of a millennial kingdom [(00:32:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1934s). - Amillennialists believe that the current age is the millennium, and that [[Jesus]] is reigning in the hearts of believers, rather than a literal, future kingdom [(00:32:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1961s). - Augustine codified amillennialism through his influential book "[[The City of God]]," written in the fourth century, which became one of the most influential books in church history [(00:33:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=1988s). - The early church was premillennial, believing that Jesus would return first and establish an earthly kingdom with a rebuilt temple, focusing on the nation of Israel [(00:33:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2031s). - The premillennial perspective dominated the church for 200 years before shifting to an allegorical, amillennial perspective in the fourth century [(00:33:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2019s). - The early Church believed in a literal interpretation of [[Bible | the Bible]], with [[Justin Martyr]] stating that not believing in this interpretation made one a non-Orthodox [[Christianity | Christian]] [(00:34:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2052s). - [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] developed [[Amillennialism | amillennialism]], which became popular in the early Church due to the influence of Constantine's [[Edict of Milan]], making Christianity the official religion of [[Rome]] [(00:34:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2067s). - The Edict of Milan led to a shift in Christianity's status from being persecuted to being the dominant religion, which contributed to the development of amillennialism [(00:34:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2079s). ## Early Church Eschatology and the Influence of Gnosticism - Early Christianity developed into two centers of thought: the school at Antioch, which produced premillennialists, and the school at [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]], which developed a more allegorical interpretation of prophecies [(00:35:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2129s). - The premillennialists from the school at Antioch were referred to as "chiliasts," derived from the [[Greek language | Greek]] word "kilak," meaning "a thousand," in reference to Revelation 20:1-10 [(00:35:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2156s). - The Alexandrian school, influenced by [[Gnosticism]], began to allegorize prophecies related to the future Kingdom, as they believed the physical world was evil [(00:36:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2178s). - Gnosticism's influence led to the development of heresies such as docetism, which denied Jesus' physical body, and adoptionism, which denied Jesus' divinity [(00:37:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2240s). ## Augustine's Amillennialism and Replacement Theology - Augustine's [[Amillennialism | amillennialism]], developed in his book "[[The City of God]]," led to the rise of replacement theology, also known as supersessionism, which posits that the Church has superseded Israel's place [(00:38:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2309s). - Augustine's book cast a long shadow over the Church for over a thousand years, influencing its theology and doctrine [(00:38:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2323s). - The Protestant reformers, including Calvin and Luther, attempted to return to a literal interpretation of [[Bible | the Bible]] after over a thousand years, but they brought unresolved issues from the past into [[Protestantism]], resulting in a millennial mindset [(00:38:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2334s). - The doctrine of millennialism is attributed to [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]], who rejected the Antiochian school and the northern school, and instead adopted a different understanding of eschatology [(00:39:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2390s). ## Correct Eschatology vs. Amillennialism - A correct understanding of eschatology involves a seven-year tribulation period, followed by the Rapture, where the church is taken to Heaven, and then [[Jesus]] returns to [[Earth]] to establish a thousand-year kingdom [(00:40:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2405s). - [[Amillennialism]], on the other hand, rejects this understanding and instead views the church as a replacement for [[Israel]], with Israel's blessings symbolically transferred to the church [(00:40:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2447s). - Amillennialists believe that the kingdom of [[God]] is a spiritual entity that exists now, and that Jesus started the kingdom 2,000 years ago, with no need for a future thousand-year kingdom [(00:41:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2466s). - This view is based on a non-literal interpretation of [[Bible | the Bible]], where numbers and time periods are seen as symbolic rather than literal, and Israel's program is considered complete [(00:41:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2507s). ## Augustine's Shift to Amillennialism - Augustine's teachings on the Millennium, as outlined in his book "[[The City of God]]," reflect a Gnostic influence and a rejection of premillennialism, which was the prevailing view of the early church [(00:42:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2563s). - Augustine's views on the Millennium were shaped by his circumstances, including the influence of Constantine's [[Edict of Milan]] and the Gnostic thought prevalent in [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]] [(00:42:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2545s). - [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] initially held a premillennial view but later rejected it, adopting an amillennial perspective that emphasized the spiritual nature of the kingdom and the symbolic transfer of Israel's blessings to the church [(00:42:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2572s). ## Neo-Calvinism, Augustine, and Gnosticism - [[Neo-Calvinism]] is based on the theology of [[John Calvin]], who was influenced by the ideas of Augustine, an early [[Christianity | Christian]] theologian with Gnostic presuppositions that viewed the physical world as bad [(00:43:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2604s). - Augustine believed that the physical world is carnal and that a physical Kingdom on [[Earth | earth]] is not possible, which led to his amillennialist views [(00:44:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2652s). - [[Amillennialism]] is the belief that the [[Saint | Saints]] are reigning with Christ now, and that the church is the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of heaven [(00:45:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2747s). - However, this view is challenged by the fact that many Saints are being martyred around the world, which raises questions about how they can be reigning with Christ [(00:46:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2765s). - The response to this challenge is often that those who take [[Bible | the Bible]] literally are "wooden literalists" who do not understand the higher symbolic Gnostic understanding of the physical world [(00:46:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2779s). - This Gnostic understanding is based on a secret knowledge that is only accessible to those who have been indoctrinated into it, and it is seen as superior to a simple literal reading of the Bible [(00:46:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2807s). - [[John Calvin]] recycled Augustine's ideas and viewed those who disagreed with him as foolish and not worth responding to, which is a level of arrogance that can still be seen in some [[Neo-Calvinism | Neo-Calvinists]] today [(00:47:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2838s). - [[Neo-Calvinism]] is influenced by Augustine's amillennialism and Gnostic presuppositions, which can be seen in their views on eschatology and their attitude towards those who disagree with them [(00:45:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2724s). ## The Allegorical Interpretation of the Millennium - The number 1,000 mentioned in the apocalypse does not apply to the blessedness of the church, but rather to the various disturbances that await the church while it is still on the [[Earth | earth]], and it is not literal but allegorical [(00:48:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2888s). - The Kingdom promises are being fulfilled now in the church as it toils on the earth, and once the kingdom comes, there will be no more toiling because the curse will be rolled back considerably [(00:48:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2912s). - Assigning the children of [[God]] a thousand years to enjoy the inheritance of the life to come is seen as casting reproach upon Christ in his kingdom, and those who hold this view are influenced by [[Satan]] and are teaching a fiction that is false, childish, and erroneous [(00:49:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2947s). ## Calvin's View on the Kingdom and Augustine's Influence - [[John Calvin]] wrote about the Kingdom being now, and he was influenced by [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]], who lived from AD 343 to AD 430 and is considered the father of [[Amillennialism | amillennialism]] [(00:49:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2983s). - Augustine is also known as the father of the [[Inquisition]], which used force and coercion to compel people to become [[Christianity | Christians]], and he advised a governor to punish the [[Donatism | Donatists]], a Christian sect that objected to certain Church practices [(00:49:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=2990s). - Augustine believed that the Church should use force in compelling its lost sons to return, and he felt that he had the right to say this because he believed that Christ should be ruling and reigning now [(00:51:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3114s). - According to Augustine, if Christ is not ruling and reigning in a person's life, the Church should take over the government and use force to coerce them into Christianity [(00:52:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3150s). ## Coercion and Conversion: Augustine and Calvin's Views - [[Bible | The Bible]] does not support the use of force to compel people to become Christians, as Jesus' message is one of belief and choice, and using force would likely result in false conversions [(00:52:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3164s). - [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] advocated for the use of force to suppress schism and heresy, and to compel people to convert to [[Christianity]], citing [[Luke 14]]:23, which says "compel them to come in" [(00:53:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3210s). - However, this interpretation is considered an abuse of the parable, as [[Jesus]] was not advocating for the use of force to compel people to become Christians [(00:54:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3299s). - [[John Calvin]] followed Augustine's biblical justification for burning heretics, and believed that using force would compel more people to enter the House of [[God]] [(00:55:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3318s). - Calvin and Augustine's interpretation of "compel them to come in" is considered a major hermeneutical error, as it ignores other teachings of Jesus, such as loving one's neighbors [(00:56:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3368s). - The correct approach to interpreting the Bible is to consider the whole of Jesus' teachings, rather than taking individual verses out of context [(00:56:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3381s). ## Calvin's Tyranny in Geneva - Calvin was heavily influenced by [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]], quoting him 4,000 times, and brought many of his ideas into [[Protestantism]] [(00:57:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3420s). - When Calvin gained control of political power in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]], he became an absolute tyrannical despot, practicing the doctrine of persecution inherited from the [[Catholic Church | Roman Catholic Church]] [(00:57:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3436s). - The reformers, including Calvin, practiced persecution as far as they had power, continuing the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church [(00:57:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3454s). - The Protestant reformers, including [[John Calvin]], developed a form of tyranny similar to the one they left behind in the Roman Catholic Church, characterized by intolerance and persecution of those who differed from their views [(00:58:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3480s). - The reformers broke down the tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church, but denied others the same liberty they exercised, excluding Roman Catholics from religious and civil rights in their jurisdictions [(00:58:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3519s). - Protestant governments in [[Germany]] and Switzerland, where Geneva was located, took exclusive possession of churches, convents, and other property, and treated Catholics harshly, including banishing, imprisoning, and executing them [(00:59:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3554s). - John Calvin's treatment of dissenters, including [[Anabaptism | Anabaptists]] and anti-trinitarians, was particularly harsh, with some being drowned, beheaded, hanged, and burned [(00:59:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3581s). ## The Reformers' Intolerance and Persecution - Calvin's actions were influenced by the writings of [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]], who is considered the father of the [[Inquisition]], and who opened the door to the persecution of those who differed from [[Catholic Church | Catholic]] dogma [(01:00:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3609s). - Historians, including [[Edward Gibbon]], have noted that the reformers came out of a tradition of intolerance and persecution, and that Calvin and other reformers became shamefully intolerant of those who differed from their views [(01:00:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3629s). - Calvin's intolerance extended to executing those who disagreed with his doctrinal position, a fact that has led some to reevaluate their affiliation with [[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]] [(01:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3656s). - The speaker rejects the label of Calvinist due to Calvin's gross human rights violations and wicked actions, preferring to be identified as a Bible-believing [[Christianity | Christian]] [(01:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3690s). - The reformers' ambition to succeed the tyrants they dethroned led them to impose their own creeds and confessions with equal vigor, asserting the right of the magistrate to punish heretics with death [(01:02:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3721s). - The speaker argues that the [[Protestantism | Protestant]] reformers brought the same practices of intolerance and persecution with them from the Roman Catholic Church, rather than truly reforming [(01:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3751s). ## Calvin's Suppression of Dissent and the Rebellion of 1555 - In February 1555, Calvin's supporters gained the absolute majority of the council in [[Geneva]], leading to an attempted uprising on May 16th due to Calvin's exclusion of certain libertarian civic officials from the [[Eucharist | Lord's Supper]] [(01:02:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3770s). - [[Christianity | Christians]] should be involved in every area of society, including politics, as withdrawing from these areas can lead to their downfall, but this does not mean taking over the government to bring the kingdom of [[God]] to [[Earth]] or compelling people to become Christians [(01:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3793s). - The Great Commission does not teach taking over the government to compel people to become Christians, and this practice is more commonly associated with [[Islam]] [(01:04:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3865s). - The leaders of the rebellion against Calvin were sentenced to death, with four being beheaded and quartered, a gruesome practice where a person's limbs are tied to four different horses and scattered [(01:05:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3904s). - The 8th Amendment to the [[Constitution of the United States | United States Constitution]], which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, was set up to prevent such barbaric practices, but Calvin justified these actions by saying those who do not correct evil when they can are guilty of it [(01:05:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3932s). - Calvin used [[Bible | the Bible]] to justify his actions, similar to how [[Augustine of Hippo | Augustine]] used [[Luke 14]]:23 to promote beating the [[Donatism | Donatists]] with rods, despite the verse not actually supporting this interpretation [(01:06:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=3980s). - From 1554 until his death in 1564, no one dared to openly oppose [[John Calvin]], as he controlled the government in [[Geneva]] and was willing to use force against his critics [(01:06:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4001s). ## Calvin's Legacy and the Potential Dangers of Neo-Calvinism - Calvin's practices and teachings were influenced by Augustine, who was the father of determinism, [[Amillennialism | amillennialism]], and the [[Inquisition]], and these same practices can be seen in [[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]] [(01:07:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4032s). - [[Neo-Calvinism]] has the potential to lead to a future Inquisition, where the force of government is used to coerce people into [[Christianity]] [(01:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4057s). - As Neo-Calvinism grows and spreads, it may bring back practices from the past, possibly in less severe forms, but still present and influential [(01:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4069s). - Calvinism has been influenced by a very influential person, [[John Calvin]], who opened the door to many of these practices [(01:08:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4088s). - Understanding the history and influence of Calvinism is essential for being aware of its potential implications and for discerning its effects on spiritual movements and currents [(01:08:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4084s). - It is crucial to be cautious and discerning when dealing with Calvinism, recognizing its potential to lead to coercive practices and its influence on people's minds [(01:08:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4086s). ## Conclusion and Prayer - Prayer and seeking guidance from God's word are necessary for navigating complex spiritual issues and for giving praise and glory to [[God]] [(01:08:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhiPNEk6Pk&t=4102s).