So, in Part 1 we examined some of the assertions of a Calvinist blogger who contributes to a blog called "Saved by Grace". We've already shown that this person doesn't know the things about others that they claim to know, namely, when it come to atheists.
You see, "lyn", like your typical evangelizing, fundamentalist flavor of Christian, subjectively interprets scripture to match and validate her own subjective view of the world, including her own sentiments about anyone who happens to disagree with her religious views. "Lyn" has a hobby horse, and that hobby horse is judging other human beings, subjectively using her bible as a pseudo-license to do so.
In point number 2 of the article that's under examination, "lyn" writes something very, very revealing.
She asserts....
2. There is a generation of ignorant persons, that know not God, know not religion, know not the principles of Christianity; they are grossly and stupidly ignorant, notwithstanding the means of knowledge: they are artfully ignorant, neglecting the opportunities of instruction, diets of examination, and other seasons of learning.
So, it's unambiguous: "Lyn" and her constituents in Calvinism believe that anyone who disagrees with them about their religious doctrine is someone who does not know God. Keep this mind.
As some of you probably know, there are 5 "Points" used to sum up what Calvinists believe about how God works, aka, T.U.L.I.P.
To reveal what is perhaps the strongest argument against "lyn" and her constituents in Calvinism, I'm going to focus on the 4th Point of Calvinism for right now, i.e..."I", which stands for what is referred to as "Irresistible Grace".
Encapsulated, "Irresistible Grace" says this: When God has chosen to save someone, he will.
Did you catch that? It's as simple as it is crystal clear. When "lyn" remarks that the "stupidly ignorant" of today's generation "know not God", she effectively shoots herself in the foot. She becomes crippled. Her argument becomes crippled. Her belief-system becomes crippled.
"Lyn" categorically states that we "stupidly ignorant" people "know not God", while out of the other side of her mouth she asserts that we cannot know God until/unless....::drum roll, please::.....God chooses to give you his Irresistible Grace.
So, if God chooses who he will give "grace" too, then by extension, God is also choosing who he will not give it to.
Being "saved" is up to God, not us. The ball is clearly in Mr. Sovereign's court.
'See where I'm going with this? Do you see where "lyn" ends up once you evaluate her claim and contrast it with the 4th of the 5 crucial Points of Calvinism, "Irresistible Grace"?
To illustrate by analogy how what "lyn" is proposing is problematic, imagine that a school teacher is standing outside of a building and has locked 30 students inside. The only link to the outside world is a locked door and a single transaction window. Only the teacher has the key to the door.
Person X happens upon this and inquires, "Hey, what's going on, here?"
Teacher: "Well, the students have all been bad because they didn't turn in their assignments in time, however, they can be exempt from the punishment just as soon as they write the magic word on a flashcard and give it to me through the window."
X: "Ah, I see. But what if none of the students ever guess the magic word?"
Teacher: "Don't worry, I intend to give some of them the magic word."
X: "Only to some of them?"
Teacher: "Yes, I'm the teacher and I make the rules."
X: "Okay, but that hardly seems fair."
Teacher: "Hardly seems fair? Okay, I'll tell you what, if you go along with it I'll share half of my yearly bonus with you until the day I retire. How's that?"
X: "Really? Well, I could use the money, so you've got a deal."
[Twenty minutes later the teacher calls 7 students to the window one at a time, giving them the magic word]
7 students are promptly let out of the building.
Vowing to go along with the plan that the teacher laid out, person X frantically runs up to the transaction window and starts shouting at the remaining children, "Wow, you are an ignorant bunch, aren't you!?!? Just look at you! The teacher CLEARLY has the password, and yet, you sit there whining because you think you're being unfairly punished! Look here, you stupid little brats, you were bad and now you're being punished! What? You want a 'get out of jail free' card, or something? How would that be justice, you whiny little punks?!?!"[/ analogy]
Any person who values things like "justice", "compassion", and "empathy" must agree that person X sold out for a reward. Person X surrendered their reason and sense of compassion for personal gain later on down the road.
Person X should be ashamed. Person X = "Lyn"(and other Calvinists just like her)
