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Origin of Calvinism's "Decrees of God" (when)?
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:21 am
by _Rick_C
Greetings,
I've managed to find the first use of the Calvinistic term "synergism" in the early 1600's.
But I haven't been able to find the actual origin of what Calvinists think are "God's Decrees" as used in their system.
It was pretty difficult to locate "synergism."
Would I begin with Augustine on this?
Anyone have any ideas or leads?
Thanks,
Ricki
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:41 am
by _tartanarmy
Ricki, there are things taught here on these forums, even by Steve, that were refuted way back in 529 AD..
Also the lack of the term Synergism before a certain time is irrelevant, what is important is what the meaning of the term implies.
Also, please! Comparing a persons views regarding "Amil" and the implications of "Synergism" as some kind of argument against my point about Roman Catholicism was really no comparison.
Think man, the main point according to Luther himself, the very thing that the whole reformation hinged upon, was the will of man, Synergism and free will. Luther said that himself, and he even said that if all of his writings were forgotten except for his "Bondage of the will" that would be preferred.
I humbly suggest you read Erasmus book "freedom of the will", then read Luther's vivid and powerful "Bondage of the will" and get a feel for the whole issue. Nothing has changed. Non Calvinists who are really Arminians side with Rome on the matter of free will, synergism and anthropocentrism.
http://www.reformed.org/documents/index ... range.html
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:48 am
by _Rick_C
Mark,
Agreed. By 529AD at the Council of Orange, many if not most of the ideas that led to Calvinism's "decrees of God" were operational; some seem to have been developed, at least in their seminal forms. (I figured the origin would be proximal to the time of Augustine & Pelagius, or thereabouts).
When would you date their full development? At Calvin himself? The Westminster Confession? Or even earlier than the Council of Orange, with Augustine?
Thanks,
Rick
P.S. 'Anyone else have info on this?