Is Calvinism a Christian cult?

[cfmember]

I noticed on one of the threads that someone put a sort of dialogue between a Calvinist and an "Arminian" on the page, and while the "Arminian" said, "I have faith in Christ, therefore I'm saved, the Calvinist said, "I am saved, therefore I have faith."

If the Calvinist really does have faith (the truth), wouldn't he confirm the Scriptures instead of contradicting them? The Christian cults are notorious for showing us that God (the Word) doesn't really 'mean' what he says. But Calvinism does the same thing.

In all 5 points of the TULIP, Calvinism contradicts what the Word (Christ) says. But we must be very careful to 'hear' what men say, as Jesus does before he judges men (John 5:30) as believers or unbelievers. That only makes sense, as how else could Jesus possibly know whether men are believers (confirming his Word) or unbelievers (contradicting him). Jesus says men are justified and condemned by their words, which puts the burden (responsibility) for salvation right on the back of the sinner, instead of an election by God. (Matt 12:36,37) (If the Calvinist were saved (elect?) he would not contradict Scripture)

Also see Jer 23:34-40, the essence of which is....
"And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God...."

It's best to see Mr. Calvin's own words....because only by doing that can one be a just judge like Jesus is, and decide for oneself if he was a Christian cult leader. All of them pervert the words of the living God. And all of them claim to be God's "Chosen people".

[cfmember]

You're right. I don't need to emphasize things so much, especially if it's offensive. I am properly chastized and will try to do better.

Maybe the question was too pointed (Is Calvinism a Cult), but if the teachings of John Calvin did prove to be untrue, would you not want to know, or have it proven?

Calling any man's teaching cultish is a serious accusation because it implies that its unorthodox (untrue). But even Mr. Calvin correctly understood why others chose to oppose and deny his teachings:

John Calvin: "Indeed, our adversaries cry out that we falsely make the Word of God our pretext, and wickedly corrupt it. By reading our confession you can judge according to your prudence not only how malicious a calumny but also what utter effrontery this is." (John Calvin, PREFATORY ADDRESS TO KING FRANCIS, At Basel, on the 1st August, in the year 1536.)

No one calls a particular teaching a cult teaching if he's not first convinced of it. If you wonder why I would even touch the idea of Calvinism having the traits of a cult, you should ask me and make me prove what I suggest. But to brush it off is to deny one even wants to know if a teaching is wrong. Would you agree that simply avoiding the issue is dangerous, since so many warnings about false teachers, false apostles, and false prophets appear in the Bible?

No person should make such a suggestion about Calvinism if they didn't have proof. I'm ready to defend my position if anyone cares. And...I will be gentle. Your admonition hurt my feelings, but how else am I to know what I'm doing wrong if I'm not told. Sometimes I'm amazed that we don't see ourselves as others do, and I forget that too often. So, thank you for the reminder, the wound will heal.