July 2009 marks the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin presenting an opportunity to address concerns some of you have contacted us about. Over time, we've received questions about products we distribute that some feel reflect the teachings of John Calvin, also referred to as Reformed Theology, Covenant Theology, TULIP, or Calvinism. While some producers and speakers within our products may adhere to teachings of Calvin, I believe the overall messages contained in our books and dvds are of help to our audience. Viewers can become equipped with solid Biblical information to discern the spiritual deception rife during these end days.  On a personal note, I've been challenged to answer questions posed by some who feel I'm drawn to Calvinism and I'll certainly address these later.
 
The upcoming 500th Anniversary is an appropriate time to look at John Calvin's theology, and discuss exactly who is this outlawed and exiled French Reformer? His teachings have influenced many well known philosophers, writers, Reformers and Christian leaders throughout history including John Knox (Founder of Presbyterianism), Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, William Carey, William Wilberforce, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Spurgeon, David Livingston, The Covenanters in Scotland, The Huguenots of France and the Pilgrim founders of America. While Calvinism has had enormous impact worldwide over the centuries, the Bible commands believers to test ALL teachings against the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27), and allow the Holy Spirit of God to guide the seeker to earnestly contend for the purity of the Faith (Jude 1:3). Jesus questioned if He'd find true faith at His second coming (Luke 18:8). By that we understand Satan dupes with a form of godliness which denies God's Power (2 Tim. 3:5). Jesus also warned that many who thought themselves to be doing God's work, in His power, would not be recognized by Jesus when He returned. (Matt. 7: 22-23)
 
These sobering admonitions about counterfeit faith should prompt all to examine every teaching and teacher abounding in the church today. Paul cautioned that in the last days there'd be apostasy (falling away from True Faith in Jesus and His words) and that false teachers would come from "within" (the church) to disseminate unsound doctrines (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Tim.4:3-5).

John Calvin's ideas have certainly inspired monumental reformation with the concepts of separation between the church and civil government, the rights and liberties of citizens, the Christian work ethic and much more. But over the next few months we'll examine some of the issues at the heart of his religious teachings and the controversies surrounding Reformed Theology's ideas about predestination for "the elect" i.e. those who God has chosen above others. How does God's so-called plan of "predestination", His selective election of some for salvation yet others for damnation, askew or make crooked God's character? How vital is it to God to really understand and know His character (Jer. 9:24) which forms the foundations of His plans for mankind, mankind's destiny and the future of this earth? Over the next few weeks we'll be searching the Scriptures to find answers to these questions.
 
Last year I received a heartfelt plea for help from Brenda, a former Calvinist of 14 years. She explained that as she was drawn deeper into Calvinism, it caused her eventual spiritual despair. She recounted how as a new, born-again believer in Jesus Christ, she enthusiastically rushed into a love of learning His Word (The Bible).  This quest took her on a journey of discovery which ultimately led her to follow John Calvin's heady reasoning and theology resulting in much confusion.
 
Over the years, as she compared the teachings of Reformed theology against the Bible (a noble action taken by the Bereans who daily checked all Paul taught against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11)), Brenda started compiling her findings in A Teaching Tool on Calvinism Notebook which we now make available to any wishing an in-depth study into Brenda's sources, writings, timelines and charts.

John Calvin is reputed to be one of the finest Bible scholars, greatest systematic theologians and one of the most profound religious thinkers in history. As time passed, Brenda became enamored by his intellectual skills in systematizing and blending humanistic and philosophical thinking which he merged with Augustinian Roman Catholicism. (We'll learn of Augustine later). Over the next ten weeks we'll be presenting Brenda's insights, as she unravels them through her personal testimony, and explains the subtle changes she underwent in her Christian walk.
 
As a former Roman Catholic myself, before coming to faith in Jesus Christ through His Gospel (the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16)), I was immersed in Roman teaching for over 20 years. I was baptized as an infant into the salvation of the "true" Mother Church. As a preteen, in an important ceremony called "First Holy Communion" I partook of the "elements" (bread and wine) in a communion ceremony. (The bread is also known as the Eucharist). For extra spiritual bonuses, while at my convent boarding school, I daily attended the most solemn of Catholic rituals, the "Sacrifice of the Mass" (a "sacrament" upon which salvation and grace rests). The attendance of Mass allowed me additional benefits against suffering longer than need be in "purgatory" (the Catholic idea of a place where souls who die in a state of grace are made ready for heaven). To miss Sunday Mass was considered a "mortal" sin only forgiven through "penance" (a sacrament in which a priestly prescription of prayers is able to bring absolution). I believed the state of mortal sin would send me to hell unless a priest gave me absolution through penance. There were also lesser sins, known as venial sins, which if not dealt with through penance could result in suffering in purgatory. I was taught that only Roman Catholic clergy, who held the office of priests, were able to administer forgiveness for any types of sins through various prescribed prayers. The priest was also able to pull Christ out of heaven to inhabit the Eucharist and by his special power to "transubstantiate" the "elements" (change the substance of the bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ). Also only the priest can interpret scripture for the laity because only he fully understands through the lens of Roman Catholicism. 
 
I considered myself "chosen" and "elect" because salvation came through the one and only true Catholic Church, but it would be a "sin of presumption" for me to assume I was "saved" enough so as not to follow up with all the various required sacraments and prayers. Rather, I was mostly in a state of "sanctifying grace" as I knew I couldn't keep all the 752 rules.  Many of these "teachings" were based on the philosophies of Augustine, a pagan intellectual, who converted to Roman Catholicism.  St. Augustine, who lived between 354 - 430 A.D. became the Bishop of Hippo, and eventually one of the authoritative four doctors of the Catholic Church. While he broke away from some of what he named as Catholic heresy, such as the practise of the Eucharist which he called "evil cannibalism", he perpetuated other heresies and retained much Gnostic thinking of the day. Augustine's teachings greatly influenced John Calvin and other leaders of the Reformation; Protestant churches today (Anglican, Lutheran, etc.) consider him one of their theological fathers.
 
To further confuse my own spirituality, as a Catholic I had to learn and recite the Catechism which teaches that we are "partakers of the divine nature" (70) and that "the Son of God became man so that we might become God" (80). (Article 3. 460) Such reasoning easily led me to eventually embrace eastern mysticism and the New Age which also teaches man is divine.
 
At the point of my conversion to Jesus Christ I had a choice to abandon Roman Catholicism, its attending doctrines and other Augustinian philosophies, for the exclusivity of believing that all scripture is God breathed (2 Tim 3:16). I chose to accept the Bible as the authoritative Word of God and to reject adhering to the traditions and philosophies of men (Col 2:8).  I had to renounce unbiblical teachings such as purgatory, limbo, rituals, elitist ideas about clergy, infant baptism, the power of sacraments and predestination. I later learned the Bible gives the privilege to all believers in Jesus Christ to become a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) with the ability to interpret Scripture through the mind of Christ and the gifting of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:14 -16). 
 
While I was led out of Catholicism through the light of Scripture, Brenda's desire to understand Scripture seduced her away from its simplicity.  Jesus warned subtle spiritual deception would prevail in the last days. Four times He emphasized its impending danger in Matthew 24.  Our two spiritual journeys highlight the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11) to lead people away from following the simplicity of The Truth of the Holy Spirit, revealed in Christ alone through faith alone.
 
Join us throughout July and August as we examine "The Subtle Dangers Of Spiritual Fusion".

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