OrthodoxReformer
Puritan Board Freshman
Greetings PB brothers,
I have read in previous posts discussions about people who don’t believe in the doctrines of grace, predestination etc (arminians) and whether this may affect a person’s salvation. Recently I read an online discussion between a Calvinist and a Baptist and when the word predestination was mentioned the Baptist started saying the God of Calvinism is a monster (and other very harsh words that I can’t even mention here).
In addition to this yesterday I came across an article written by an eastern orthodox preacher who use the same monstrous words in order to describe predestination and the doctrines of Grace. Because his article is written in Greek I translated a small part of it in English so you can read it.
“The doctrine of predestination that was proposed by Augustine and promoted by Calvin is blasphemous and heretical. Their God (he talks about the reformers) is a God who never loved the world but instead hated the world. Predestination is the most blasphemous and heretical dogma that has ever existed”. In other places he says that this God is an unjust god and a bad one. Additionally he uses a number of “not so good words” for those who believe in this doctrine. (http://www.diakrisis.gr/articles.php?lng=gr&pg=131)
Now here is my question: Can people who call God a monster and other similar words be saved? Some people say that they (arminians) have good intentions so they can still get saved despite the words that they use and their beliefs…. Personally I don’t agree with that. Calling God a monster is blasphemous no matter what. Unless they repent they have a big problem.
I live in a country where Eastern orthodox Christians are the majority of the population so I have to deal with their theology every day. Even most small evangelical churches in Athens, with a few exceptions are free-will fanatics.
What are your thoughts? I am a bit confused.
I have read in previous posts discussions about people who don’t believe in the doctrines of grace, predestination etc (arminians) and whether this may affect a person’s salvation. Recently I read an online discussion between a Calvinist and a Baptist and when the word predestination was mentioned the Baptist started saying the God of Calvinism is a monster (and other very harsh words that I can’t even mention here).
In addition to this yesterday I came across an article written by an eastern orthodox preacher who use the same monstrous words in order to describe predestination and the doctrines of Grace. Because his article is written in Greek I translated a small part of it in English so you can read it.
“The doctrine of predestination that was proposed by Augustine and promoted by Calvin is blasphemous and heretical. Their God (he talks about the reformers) is a God who never loved the world but instead hated the world. Predestination is the most blasphemous and heretical dogma that has ever existed”. In other places he says that this God is an unjust god and a bad one. Additionally he uses a number of “not so good words” for those who believe in this doctrine. (http://www.diakrisis.gr/articles.php?lng=gr&pg=131)
Now here is my question: Can people who call God a monster and other similar words be saved? Some people say that they (arminians) have good intentions so they can still get saved despite the words that they use and their beliefs…. Personally I don’t agree with that. Calling God a monster is blasphemous no matter what. Unless they repent they have a big problem.
I live in a country where Eastern orthodox Christians are the majority of the population so I have to deal with their theology every day. Even most small evangelical churches in Athens, with a few exceptions are free-will fanatics.
What are your thoughts? I am a bit confused.