“Fools depise wisdom and insruction.”  (Proverbs 1)

“…[F]or he that is not against us is on our part.”  (Mark 9)

 

We have known men that refused to read books or any kind of spiritual literature if the writer was not of their own denomination.  In fact, some of these men would not read any thing if the quotes were not KJV, even if the writer was a baptist.  Some went so far as to cast doubt upon a persons salvation if they used a different version of the Bible than the King James.  It could go without saying (but I’ll say it any way) that these men would absolutely never read anything written by a Catholic.
We remember being influenced for a times into this way of thinking, except we never went so far as to cast away one who used another version as quotes in their works. I can remember the internal stuggle I had when thinking about reading C.S. Lewis for the first time.  Billy Graham was the same, I was told he was an agent of the Pope and he was the Pope’s puppet.  I came to learn, however that these, somewhat ignorant mens were puppets as well. The only difference their puppet master reigned in Indiana.

One need not read the proverbs very long before they read of text from above.  Solomon makes it clear that, “The person who rejects wisdom and instruction is a fool.  That word would fit a lot of persons today that fill the pews of many churches.  These persons here that a man was a Catholic monk, that man is judged immediately and is as good as non existent.  Men here the name Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Ratzinger, Hyles, John Wesley, Billy Graham. Bro. Lawrence, Lewis, Pink, St, Athanasius, Madame Guyon or a woman in general…Joyce Meyer, Jimmy Swaggart, or mention the word, Catechism, or secular entities such as Lucille Ball, Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire slayer, etc. and their eyes glaze over and say, I have no use for him or her.They say yeah, but there Catholic, or even, Mother Theresa split Hell wide open.

Let’s take the above one (1) at a time:
1. Augustine, Augustine was one of the wisest men in all of Christ-ianity (outside of the inspired writers).  Outside of Scripture, he may have been the greatest. Without Augustine, humanly speaking we would all being praying to saints.  Augustine was the grandfather of the reformation.  Luther said that next to Scripture Augustine was the most valuable resource available to him. Calvin quotes him more than anyone in his “Institues of the Christian Religion.”  If you want to read a work on the Trinity, Augustine is your man.  His, “City of God”  is untouchable.
2. Luther, again humanly speaking, without Luther, like Augustine and Calvin, we would all be. “Hailing Mary.”  Luthet has one of the most stirring biographies one will read as well as good films depicting his life.  One cannot read his, “Here I stand, I can do no other..” Will inspire and give goosebumps.  Humanly speaking, again, I would not be the man I am today without Luther, Augustine and out next entry.
3. Calvin, First of all, Calvin did not invent Calvinism nor did he desire the death of Michael Servitus.  God “invented” the doctrines of grace that are today referred to calvinism.  The Cathloic church and society itself had a warrant for Servitus’ death.Calvin would have been in violation of law if he did not have the great blasphemer arrested.  The heretic was sentenced to burn and Calvin….the “heartless and cold” Calvin begged him to recant over and over, night by night but to no avail, Calvin then, in mercy…these were different times, sought the city gov’t to behead him instead of burning him alive.  As to Calvin inventing Calvinism, this is bad history and is a flat lie as well as a logical fallacy.  Calvinism or the doctrines of grace are solidly backed by Scripture and cannot be denied, lest one refuses to research them or chooses to “disbelieve” them.
An analogy: Jodi Arius, a murderer of an ex-boyfriend some years back is a good example of chosen blindness syndome, (my choice of name).  This woman stabbed her Mormon ex-boyfriend, twent-seven (27) times, almost decaptitated him, and shot him in the head.  She claimed it was self defense…Michael Meyers and Jason Vorhees would go down with less!!!  It was not self defense, obviously.

In her interrogations they presented her with evidence against her. They even had a picture of her feet and pants in the pictures!!!  Apparently she wqas taking picture of him showering before she “defended herself.”  Well, as God would have it, the camera went off during the murder.  All this evidence is laid out before her, and she denied, denied, denied, and actually invented two (2) other persons who broke in, killed him, and left her alive.  She admitted in the interrogation that if she were a third (3rd) party and she saw all the evidence she would think the person GUILTY, but after saying that she again denied it!!! To this day, she claims self defense after all the evidence is laid out.

Reader this is a kin to “Calvinism.”  One can use Scripture…many Scriptures, one could use logic, theo-LOGIC truths, and even history and the chooser of blindness will say, “i see it, I read it, but I cannot accept it of believe it.  Many a believer will ask their pastor at some point aboiut the teachings of “Calvinism” and the pastor will reply in a reductionary and accusatory manner.

I take different positions, depending on the situation when it comes to being called a “Calvinist” or “Augustinian”  My reason?  It’s a man’s name. I want to be called by my Lord, Master, and Saviour’s Name, Christ-ian.  The thing with that is, is everyone thinks they’re Christ-ian, even the vile Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons take the Name of Christ-ianity now a days as do catholics.

So, Reader, when a person says, “I’m Christ-ian,” what are they saying.  Analogy:I went to a fast food resaurant for lunch,”  Okay, but which one?  “I own a motor vehicle” which type?  “Honey, could you get me my (one of fifty (50)) sweater?” which one?  “I’m reading my Bible,”  There are sixty-six (66) different books. which one is being read?  You see my point.  “I’m Christ-ian,”  okay, which type?  There are, I believe, over one hundred (100) different species of Baptist.

However, when one is referred to as a “Calvinist,”  most persons know where they are coming from and what they think , in terms of faith, society, and politics.  Calvinism isn’t only a thing of religion, it is an outlook upon all things.

Back to the man himself. Calvin was one of the most persecuted of saints in all of Christ-ian history. Calvin is even mentioned in Fox’s Book of Martyrs.”  Calvin was not a cold and heartless man, one needs only read his letters. Calvin was a man of evangelism.  Persons believe “Calvinist are arrogant and do not evangelize.  The opposite is true.  The “Calvinist” knows there is an elect body in the world that will most certainly come to Christ and that knowledge of certainty drives them to speak the Gospel to all creatures. Calvinist’s look upon all of manking as elect, they know all of mankind is not elect but we know not who is and who is not therefore, we preach to all creatures.  As far as arrogance…the Calvinist is put to his knees in humility, thanks, and praise for the Salvation, they have received.
4. Ratzinger, or better known as, “Pope Bendict”.  Yes, Reader not only a Catholic but THe (to be pronounced thee) Catholic at one point.  Barring his Mariology and veneration of saints, this man was sound on theology…Readers, an example of the closed mind, if I said this man’s name or quoted him in a church service I could be considered as “heretical” as the Pope. Many of you know this to be true.  However, his books “Life of Christ,”  The Life Of Saint Paul,”  and his books on Christ-ian doctrine, IE. Faith, Holiness, Justification….yes,!!! justification are SOUND.  This is most likely the reason he was not pope for very long.  One of his prized possessions?  Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion” with leather cover and binding.
5. Jack Hyles, This man has been reffed to as the Baptist Pope. and he was pretty big on legalism, but He has good stuff to.  In his book on witnessing, he encoursges us to walk up to persons or even groups of persons and ask them, “Are you Christ-ian.”  Just like that, In the stead of small talk, he went straight to the most important issue a person will ever face  or a question they will ever be asked, “Are you saved?”  “Are you a Christ-ian,”  “Are you saved,”  are life defining moments and person defining truths. This man, like Calvin was dragged through the mud due to rumours and a book on Hyles having an affair.  I know not whether he did or he didn’t, but we’.. discuss that when we look at Swaggart.

Readers’ I recognize this article has grown longer tha I had expected. We will continue, (DV), in a sequal.

Godspeed.