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Author Topic:   Is Calvinism a form of Gnostic Christianity?
JavaMan
Member (Idle past 2319 days)
Posts: 475
From: York, England
Joined: 08-05-2005


Message 1 of 2 (303133)
04-11-2006 8:14 AM


This question occurred to me while reading an article about the Celtic theologian, Pelagius. In the article it was stated that Pelagius objected to the doctrine of Original Sin as being 'unchristian' and 'influenced by Manicheanism'.
For those who don't know, Manicheanism is the belief that the material world is evil (having been created by an evil spirit such as Satan), but that human beings contain a spark of spirit that connects them to God.
In the early Christian era this was a common belief (so common that the Church fathers are constantly railing against it). Coupled with the belief that salvation could only be achieved by receiving some secret knowledge about Christ's teaching, this formed the basis of what we term 'Gnostic Christianity'.
Now, because Gnosticism was persecuted by the church, and because, in this century, we've had the astonishing good fortune to rediscover some of the early Gnostic gospels, there is a romantic glow attached to the term Gnosticism that seems to blind people to what Gnostics actually believed, i.e. that all flesh is evil, and that only an elect few can be saved.
In modern times, the form of Christianity that seems to come closest to these beliefs, particularly in the doctrines of Total Hereditary Depravity, Limited Atonement and Efficacious Grace, is Calvinism. For those unfamiliar with these doctrines, here's a quick précis:
Total Hereditary Depravity
Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he will not - indeed he cannot - choose good over evil in the spiritual realm.
Limited Atonement
Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them.
Efficacious Grace
In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion.
(all quotations from Comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism)

AdminPD
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Message 2 of 2 (303154)
04-11-2006 9:59 AM


Thread copied to the Is Calvinism a form of Gnostic Christianity? thread in the Comparative Religions forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.

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