Changes

One distinctive of the Reformed churches is belief in [[Predestination]]. While Calvin agreed with Luther on the three "Solas," the way by which God decides whom to allow to have saving Faith was addressed more precisely. Judging from several passages in Scripture, Calvin concluded that God makes his decision before our births and that there is then nothing anyone can do in life to alter the decision. Men are either chosen for salvation (the "Elect") or else they are eternally lost (the "Reprobates").  

One distinctive of the Reformed churches is belief in [[Predestination]]. While Calvin agreed with Luther on the three "Solas," the way by which God decides whom to allow to have saving Faith was addressed more precisely. Judging from several passages in Scripture, Calvin concluded that God makes his decision before our births and that there is then nothing anyone can do in life to alter the decision. Men are either chosen for salvation (the "Elect") or else they are eternally lost (the "Reprobates").  

While men cannot alter their eternal destiny, it is an incorrect assumption that the Elect can live however they want and be saved nevertheless. Obviously, Calvinists say, if one is given the Faith, he will want to live as Christ-like a life as is possible. If a man chooses a life of sin, selfishness, and depravity, it is evidence that he is not among the Elect. Likewise, it is not correct to conclude that those who are lost are separated from God unfairly. All men are born in sin, according to Scripture and the teaching of Catholics and the churches of the Reformation alike. Unless they have a means of escaping their sin--which, in the absence of God's selection of them to be among the Elect, they would not have--they are left with their sins and are, therefore, undeserving of salvation.   

While men cannot alter their eternal destiny, it is an incorrect assumption that the Elect can live however they want and be saved nevertheless. Obviously, Calvinists say, if one is given the Faith, he will want to live as Christ-like a life as is possible. If a man chooses a life of sin, selfishness, and depravity, it is evidence that he is not among the Elect. Likewise, it is not correct to conclude that those who are lost are separated from God unfairly. All men are born in sin, according to Scripture and the teaching of Catholics and the churches of the Reformation alike. Unless they have a means of escaping their sin—which, in the absence of God's selection of them to be among the Elect, they would not have—they are left with their sins and are, therefore, undeserving of salvation.   

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

[[Category:Protestantism]]

[[Category:Protestantism]]

[[category:European History]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[category:Christian History]]

[[Category:Christian History]]

[[category:Christian Denominations]]

[[Category:Christian Denominations]]

[[category:Reformation]]

[[Category:Reformation]]