What denominations believe in Unconditional Election?

[bbbbbbb]

They are getting closer and closer! PCUSA, ELCA, and UMC are all unified on this one point: the adamant rejection of the inspiration, authority, and sufficiency of the scriptures! Many regard the Roman Catholic Church as the "Great harlot" and they may very well be included but I am convinced that the great harlot will be the whole of liberal Christianity and they will be united together in their hatred of biblical Christianity and God's TRUE CHURCH!

It's not the Democrats we need to worry about, it is the liberal, apostate church that will lead the charge in the persecution of God's elect!

Although, theologically, liberal denominations share a common set of doctrines, the entire ecumenical effort to unite them into a single denomination reached its peak in the late 1960's and early 1970's, after when it began to disintegrate over issues such as governance, which I described in my previous post. There was a time when the Catholic Church was keenly active in recruiting liberal Protestant denominations in the name of ecumenism. The ecumenical effort yielded fruit in Canada where the United Church of Canada resulted, leaving a variety of relatively small conservative denominations in its wake, in addition to the Catholic Church which is far from small in Canada. In the United States the United Church of Christ was formed from liberal Congregational Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church, have a current membership of 712,000, which is very small potatoes relative to other denominations. The United Methodist Church during that time also merged with the Evangelical United Brethren, which was a small denomination which was slightly more conservative that the UMC.

As for persecution of conservative Christians by liberal denominations, that is nothing new at all. It popped on the scene in the United Presbyterian Church during the great Fundamentalist controversy in the 1920's and 1930's, with excommunications of prominent ministers. Then followed a round of various new small conservative Presbyterian denominations such as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Bible Presbyterians. After the UPC merged with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (aka popularly known as the Southern Presbyterian Church) in 1983, the new PCUSA managed to divest itself of a majority of its members and churches which formed yet more tiny denominations such as the EPC and the ECO.

At this point in time there are virtually no conservative Christians left in the liberal denominations to persecute. In the meantime, however, conservative Christians have singled out various groups and individuals they believe to be fully deserving of persecution. In the South it was black Christians who not only endured the horrors of slavery, but the full wrath and disdain of white Christians. By the way, this was not merely in the South, but also in the North where black people were forced to stand in the balconies of the churches during the services and were denied seating - until Tremont Temple in Boston, Massachusetts was formed by Christians who rejected racial segregation in 1828. Later conservative Christians have persecuted unmarried women with children, divorced people, as well as sexually diverse people.

Liberal denominations are declining steadily both in membership and influence. Their ability to persecute anyone is seriously compromised as a result. This is not to say that they have lost all interest in harrassing conservative Christians. They have not at all. They simply face the terrors of old age and declining capacity. They are not unlike the Freemasons who, at one time, were a serious threat to orthodox Christianity (along with other cults such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons)). Their threat has been virtually completely nullified as a result of the radical loss of members in the late twentieth century.

 

[RileyG]

IIRC, the United Church of Canada wanted the Anglican Church of Canada be part of their communion, but that did not occur. I don’t think they ever reached out to Lutherans.

The United Church of Christ and United Church of Canada are in full communion.

 

[bbbbbbb]

IIRC, the United Church of Canada wanted the Anglican Church of Canada be part of their communion, but that did not occur. I don’t think they ever reached out to Lutherans.

The United Church of Christ and United Church of Canada are in full communion.

Thank you for adding this information. It is much appreciated.

 

[RileyG]

Thank you for adding this information. It is much appreciated.

I could be wrong. I read a book about its history a few years ago.

Blessings

 

[SouthWestConvert]

There are Strict Baptists in the UK who hold to unconditional election which would be also seen as five point Calvinists. Quite a small denomination with a scattering of churches in Australia and North America.

Gospel Standard Strict Baptists

There is a link to their Articles of Faith at the bottom of the above link.

 

[David Lamb]

There are Strict Baptists in the UK who hold to unconditional election which would be also seen as five point Calvinists. Quite a small denomination with a scattering of churches in Australia and North America.

Gospel Standard Strict Baptists

There is a link to their Articles of Faith at the bottom of the above link.

Not all Strict Baptists are Gospel Standard. Most UK baptist churches which believed in the doctrines of grace used to be known as "Strict Baptist Churches" or "Strict and Particular Baptist Churches". Most of them are now known as "Grace Baptist Churches".

 

[MTMattie]

I have never seen a Calvinist Church in person, I have only seen Presbyterian, which I know teaches Unconditional Election.

Are there any others that teach this?

Presbyterians follow the Westminster Confession of Faith which pushes John Calvins Beliefs

The Westminster Confession of Faith

​

CHAPTER 3

Of God’s Eternal Decree.​

I. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass:a yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin,b nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.c

a Eph. 1:11 ; Rom. 11:33 ; Heb. 6:17 ; Rom. 9:15 ,18.
b Jam. 1:13,17; 1 John 1:5.
c Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27,28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33.

II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions;d yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.e

d Acts 15:18; 1 Sam. 23:11,12; Matt. 11:21,23.
e Rom. 9:11,13,16,18.

III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angelsf are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.g

f 1 Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:41.
g Rom. 9:22,23; Eph. 1:5,6; Prov. 16:4.

IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.h

h 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18.

V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory,i out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto;k and all to the praise of his glorious grace.l

i Eph. 1:4,9,11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:9.
k Rom. 9:11,13,16; Eph. 1:4,9.
l Eph. 1:6,12.

VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto.m Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ;n are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified,o and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.p Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.q

m 1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:4,5; Eph. 2:10; 2 Thess. 2:13.
n 1 Thess. 5:9,10; Tit. 2:14.
o Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:13.
p 1 Pet. 1:5.
q John 17:9; Rom. 8:28 to the end; John 6:64,65; John 10:26; John 8:47; 1 John 2:19.

VII. The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.r

r Matt. 11:25,26; Rom. 9:17,18,21,22; 2 Tim. 2:19,20; Jude ver. 4; 1 Pet. 2:8.

VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,s that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election.t So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God,u and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.w

s Rom. 9:20 ; Rom. 11:33 ; Deut. 29:29.
t 2 Pet. 1:10.
u Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33 .
w Rom. 11:5,6,20; 2 Pet. 1:10 ; Rom. 8:33 ; Luke 10:20.​

You can find variations of this but this is the Calvin view,

I am a Presbyterian. I do not believe in pre-destination I do believe in free will

 

[Mark Quayle]

Presbyterians follow the Westminster Confession of Faith which pushes John Calvins Beliefs

The Westminster Confession of Faith

​

You can find variations of this but this is the Calvin view,

I am a Presbyterian. I do not believe in pre-destination I do believe in free will

Calvinism, nor Reformed, for that matter, is a denomination. Some denominations are, to varying degrees Calvinistic or hold to what is known as Reformed Theology. Presbyterians, like every other denomination, come in all shapes, but basically can be represented by PCUSA and PCA. Generally: PCA is Reformed and conservative in doctrine—PCUSA is liberal.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Calvinism, nor Reformed, for that matter, is a denomination. Some denominations are, to varying degrees Calvinistic or hold to what is known as Reformed Theology. Presbyterians, like every other denomination, come in all shapes, but basically can be represented by PCUSA and PCA. Generally: PCA is Reformed and conservative in doctrine—PCUSA is liberal.

Beyond the PCUSA and the PCA there is a fairly large number of Presbyterian denominations in the United States, most of which are on the smaller side. In Scotland, as well as Korea, there is a much wider range of Presbyterian denominations.

 

[MTMattie]

Calvinism, nor Reformed, for that matter, is a denomination. Some denominations are, to varying degrees Calvinistic or hold to what is known as Reformed Theology. Presbyterians, like every other denomination, come in all shapes, but basically can be represented by PCUSA and PCA. Generally: PCA is Reformed and conservative in doctrine—PCUSA is liberal.

Yes, I have been a Presbytedrian for 77 years. It has always been a family thing starting back when one was a vicar in the Church of England
a long time ago... got into an argument, at that time, over baptism and left to go to Scotland. Became involved in the Presbyterian church there , moved to New England, then New York and ultimately to Virginia where he built the church he pastored.

From then , even when one would marry into another denomination, it was expected that the Presbyterian would stay in the Presby Church.

For a long time I was in a USA church when finally about 15 years ago the congregation split away from the incredible liberal USA leanings.

Now I am with an Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

And they still follow the West Minster Confession of Faith.

There are differences in the Westminster Confession and Calvinism, but the one core element in both first came from Calvin and was incorporated into the Westminster Confession

Point 3 in the confession states...

Chapter 3 affirms the Calvinist doctrine of predestination: that God foreordained who would be among the elect (and therefore saved), while he passed by those who would be damned for their sins. The confession states that from eternity God did "freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass". By God's decree, "some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

Predestination from Calvin:

According to John Calvin, predestination is God’s unchangeable decree from before the creation of the world that he would freely save some people (the elect), foreordaining them to eternal life, while the others (the reprobate) would be “barred from access to” salvation and sentenced to “eternal death (180, 184).” Calvin was careful to distinguish the predestination of individuals from the corporate election of nations such as Israel (185). He argued that an explanation of predestination is only complete when it includes the election of individuals

So while " Calvinism, nor Reformed, for that matter, is a denomination.", is a statement of truth... they have over the
ages influenced what is being taught to the congregants.

FYI~ Calvin 1509 to 1564

John Calvin | Biography, Beliefs, Predestination, Writings, Reformation, & Facts | Britannica

John Calvin, theologian and ecclesiastical statesman. He was the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more about Calvin’s life, beliefs, and significance in this article.

www.britannica.com

He was the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. His interpretation of Christianity, advanced above all in his Institutio Christianae religionis (1536 but elaborated in later editions; Institutes of the Christian Religion), and the institutional and social patterns he worked out for Geneva deeply influenced Protestantism elsewhere in Europe and in North America. The Calvinist form of Protestantism is widely thought to have had a major impact on the formation of the modern world.

And the Westminster Confession of Faith came about : ( A hundred years after Calvin died)

The Westminster Confession of Faith, or simply the Westminster Confession, is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the "subordinate standard" of doctrine in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I would also add that the various Reformed Churches which stem from the Netherlands do not follow the Westminster Confession, which is an English document, but the Canons of Dordt, instead.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I would also add that the various Reformed Churches which stem from the Netherlands do not follow the Westminster Confession, which is an English document, but the Canons of Dordt, instead.

And the Heidelberg Catechism: Heidelberg Catechism

 

[Mark Quayle]

Yes, I have been a Presbytedrian for 77 years. It has always been a family thing starting back when one was a vicar in the Church of England
a long time ago... got into an argument, at that time, over baptism and left to go to Scotland. Became involved in the Presbyterian church there , moved to New England, then New York and ultimately to Virginia where he built the church he pastored.

From then , even when one would marry into another denomination, it was expected that the Presbyterian would stay in the Presby Church.

For a long time I was in a USA church when finally about 15 years ago the congregation split away from the incredible liberal USA leanings.

Now I am with an Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

And they still follow the West Minster Confession of Faith.

There are differences in the Westminster Confession and Calvinism, but the one core element in both first came from Calvin and was incorporated into the Westminster Confession

Point 3 in the confession states...

Chapter 3 affirms the Calvinist doctrine of predestination: that God foreordained who would be among the elect (and therefore saved), while he passed by those who would be damned for their sins. The confession states that from eternity God did "freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass". By God's decree, "some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

That is inestimably precious to me. Chapter 3 also, in part, defines or proves his ordaining of all things, in mentioning that the will of creatures and contingencies are ESTABLISHED by God. They do not operate at all —in fact, they cannot— if apart from his decree. There is no such thing as anything happening that God has not decreed, which fact leaves us entirely at God's mercy, whether or not we know it or love it.

Predestination from Calvin:

According to John Calvin, predestination is God’s unchangeable decree from before the creation of the world that he would freely save some people (the elect), foreordaining them to eternal life, while the others (the reprobate) would be “barred from access to” salvation and sentenced to “eternal death (180, 184).” Calvin was careful to distinguish the predestination of individuals from the corporate election of nations such as Israel (185). He argued that an explanation of predestination is only complete when it includes the election of individuals

So while " Calvinism, nor Reformed, for that matter, is a denomination.", is a statement of truth... they have over the
ages influenced what is being taught to the congregants.

FYI~ Calvin 1509 to 1564

John Calvin | Biography, Beliefs, Predestination, Writings, Reformation, & Facts | Britannica

John Calvin, theologian and ecclesiastical statesman. He was the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more about Calvin’s life, beliefs, and significance in this article.

www.britannica.com

He was the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. His interpretation of Christianity, advanced above all in his Institutio Christianae religionis (1536 but elaborated in later editions; Institutes of the Christian Religion), and the institutional and social patterns he worked out for Geneva deeply influenced Protestantism elsewhere in Europe and in North America. The Calvinist form of Protestantism is widely thought to have had a major impact on the formation of the modern world.

And the Westminster Confession of Faith came about : ( A hundred years after Calvin died)

The Westminster Confession of Faith, or simply the Westminster Confession, is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the "subordinate standard" of doctrine in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

Interesting to me is the lambasting that Calvinism has been handed on this site, that it is an outlier in Christendom, and it is even said that it is completely separate from Orthodoxy, I've read it described as a cult! —and this by attendants to congregations whose main doctrinal statements are almost completely in line with, and resulting from, Calvinism!

Personally, I don't like to date Calvinism, as I see it as only a systematic arrangement of the Doctrine of God that Scripture teaches us. What Calvin arranged is, weakly, what Scripture assumes and so powerfully posits, throughout. Calvin didn't start this. Whatever truth there is to Calvinism (and that is by far the most of it) begins with the Bible, as surely as Christianity started with Genesis.

(I say "that is by far the most of it" because some things the various minds that espouse Reformed theology and Calvinism differ, and the truth can be misrepresented in part by any of our [inadequate] minds. Calvin himself, nor Luther, nor any others, were wholly correct. If am Calvinist, it is not because of Calvin, but because of Christ.)

 

[bbbbbbb]

That is inestimably precious to me. Chapter 3 also, in part, defines or proves his ordaining of all things, in mentioning that the will of creatures and contingencies are ESTABLISHED by God. They do not operate at all —in fact, they cannot— if apart from his decree. There is no such thing as anything happening that God has not decreed, which fact leaves us entirely at God's mercy, whether or not we know it or love it.

Interesting to me is the lambasting that Calvinism has been handed on this site, that it is an outlier in Christendom, and it is even said that it is completely separate from Orthodoxy, I've read it described as a cult! —and this by attendants to congregations whose main doctrinal statements are almost completely in line with, and resulting from, Calvinism!

Personally, I don't like to date Calvinism, as I see it as only a systematic arrangement of the Doctrine of God that Scripture teaches us. What Calvin arranged is, weakly, what Scripture assumes and so powerfully posits, throughout. Calvin didn't start this. Whatever truth there is to Calvinism (and that is by far the most of it) begins with the Bible, as surely as Christianity started with Genesis.

(I say "that is by far the most of it" because some things the various minds that espouse Reformed theology and Calvinism differ, and the truth can be misrepresented in part by any of our [inadequate] minds. Calvin himself, nor Luther, nor any others, were wholly correct. If am Calvinist, it is not because of Calvin, but because of Christ.)

I certainly observe that much of what is labelled (and libeled) as "Calvinism" can easily be found in the monergistic writings of Augustine. It is a great pity that the Roman Catholic Church embraced synergism.

 

[The Liturgist]

I certainly observe that much of what is labelled (and libeled) as "Calvinism" can easily be found in the monergistic writings of Augustine. It is a great pity that the Roman Catholic Church embraced synergism.

The ancient church was already highly synergistic as we can tell from the writings of St. Athanasius, the Cappadocians, St. John Chrysostom, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Ephrem the Syrian and St. John Cassian.

That said, the monergism of my Lutheran friends or of St. Augustine is not a problem for me, whereas I have come to object to that of John Calvin or the Synod of Dordt. The issue I suppose is not monergism so much as it is fatalism or double-predestination.

That said, I would note that it is my view that the Calvinist vs. non-Calvinist debate cannot be entirely settled using scripture, as a number of issues, for example, between Reformed and Arminian Christians, appear to enjoy equal scriptural support. And there was even enough Patristic material to satisfy Calvinist theologians, who to their credit did study Patristics, and were historically responsible for much of the translation of Church Fathers into English, and even coined the phrase “Consensus Patrum.”

 

[RileyG]

I have never seen a Calvinist Church in person, I have only seen Presbyterian, which I know teaches Unconditional Election.

Are there any others that teach this?

You will find Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, which have Calvinist roots.

Correct, you will never find "First Calvinist Church" et al.

 

[bbbbbbb]

You will find Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, which have Calvinist roots.

Correct, you will never find "First Calvinist Church" et al.

Curiously, although I see multitudes of First Churches, some Second Churches, some Third Churches, some Fourth Churches, etc. I have yet to encounter a Last Church. Is it not true that many who are first will be last and the last first?

 

[David Lamb]

Curiously, although I see multitudes of First Churches, some Second Churches, some Third Churches, some Fourth Churches, etc. I have yet to encounter a Last Church. Is it not true that many who are first will be last and the last first?

I think this method of naming churches depends where in the world you live. In the USA, it seems commonplace to call a church "First", "Second." etc. Here in the UK, I haven't heard of such a naming system.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I think this method of naming churches depends where in the world you live. In the USA, it seems commonplace to call a church "First", "Second." etc. Here in the UK, I haven't heard of such a naming system.

It began here in the USA in New England. As towns grew and the capacity of a meetinghouse was exceeded a new meetinghouse was constructed in addition to the older meetinghouse. In some towns, such as Boston, to differentiate the meetinghouses they were given geographic names - West, North, South. When the South meeting was further divided the original became Old South Meetinghouse (which still exists as a building). In the 1860's with the retreat of its congregation from the business district a new church was constructed in the Back Bay. Rather than calling it the Back Bay Congregational Church, they called it the New Old South Church, which also still exists as a church in its building.

In many other towns, however, the geographic nomenclature was not resorted to; rather, they used relative age as the differentiator. Thus, the original meeting became First Church followed by a later meeting called Second Church, et. al. Things became much more complicated with the Trinitarian/Unitarian/Universalist divisions beginning in the eighteenth century. Rather than changing the church name to First Unitarian Church (thereby opening the possibility for the Second Church to style itself as First Congregational Church) the general practice was to change the name to First Church (Unitarian).

Other denominations followed suit in the practice, but not following the numerical ordering of the oldest denomination. Thus, one can easily find in a city a First Congregational Church, a First Baptist Church, a First Independent Baptist church, a First Southern Baptist Church, a First Presbyterian Church, a First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a First Methodist Church, a First Primitive Methodist Church, a First Lutheran Church, not to mention the First Church of Christ (Scientist). The Episcopalians and Roman Catholics disdained this system, much preferring traditional nomenclature.

 

[RileyG]

Curiously, although I see multitudes of First Churches, some Second Churches, some Third Churches, some Fourth Churches, etc. I have yet to encounter a Last Church. Is it not true that many who are first will be last and the last first?

I have no idea, I’m curious as well.