John Calvin's Errors

I have been reading about religious history lately, then I came upon a chapter dealing with John Calvin and Martin Luther, pioneers of the Protestant movement. I particularly dislike the fact that these two were also involved in murder as was the Roman Church. Going back to John Calvin, it was rather sad to have known that he was responsible for the death of a doctor who disagreed with him in theological issues, his name was Servetus. Calvin and Servetus had a heated argument regarding the nature of Christ, this led to Servetus death by being burnt at the stake at Calvin's instigation.

But that is not what I'm on about. I'm more concerned about the Five Points of Calvinism, let me just talk about the first of the Five Points of Calvin which is:

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)

Is it really true that man is totally depraved? Let's go and examine what God says:

Eze 18:4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.[NIV]

Eze 18:5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
Eze 18:9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.[NIV]

Clear enough. First, Enoch did not die:

Gen 5:24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.[NIV]

Then Elijah also did not experience death:

2Ki 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. [NIV]

What then does it say of these two people after having read what was written in Ezekiel 18:4,5-9? How have them managed to evade death?

Another point to consider is that which is written in Ecclesiastes:

Ecc 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.[KJV]

Calvin does not believe in Free Will. But is this scriptural? Did God not really give man the free will to choose to obey or otherwise?

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:[KJV]

Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?[KJV]

Thus, as we can see, Calvin's doctrine of total depravity is out of touch with the Scriptures.

Gary Moore - A Great Blues Guitar Player passes away.

I haven't been really into blues music until 2005. Although there are many sub-genres of blues, Gary Moore's bluesy guitar playing really touches your innermost being. Songs like Parissiene Walkways and Still Got the Blues highlight my liking for Gary Moore. I often end up watching his live performance of Still Got the Blues on youtube, only to click on the replay button over and over.

Gary Moore hails from Belfast, Nothern Ireland, where I currently am risiding. [Sigh] Another legend from Belfast has passed away, such a loss indeed.

Gary Moore Mp3 Downloads

  

Gladiators on Jerry Springer Show

I must admit that I enjoy watching Jerry Springer almost every night. But after watching each episode, there is a gnawing uneasiness crawling up to my consciousness. How can people be cruel? That includes me. These people are just being themselves, appearing to be raw to the core, pure emotions raging unbridled, not giving heed to any thought of how they might appear to other people, or how low they have become for the entertainment of the public.

The audience are no better, making fun of people's teeth, calling them 'spongebob' among other things. It is just so unreal. These are real people, unless they are just hired acts, with feelings getting hurt deep within, tears rolling down their cheeks, faith betrayed, hopes dashed by people they care about.

The year is 2011, yet the savage nature of human beings remain strong as it has ever been even before the Roman Catholic Inquisition.

There may not be killings on stage, but to be entertained by the destruction of other's peoples lives is equally savage as impaling a person to its death in public.