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UncleJD

Calvinists, do you vote?

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **3/23/16 11:27 am**

I'm curious. I have noticed a growing Calvinist movement in my area and I'm just wondering if Calvinists vote, and if so, do you think that is consistent with Calvinism?

Quiet Wyatt

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/23/16 11:32 am**

I am definitely not a Calvinist, but I do know that Calvinists in the compatibilistic/Edwardsean school of thought say that you are free to choose what you desire, but that your desires are caused by God. So, on that view, if one desired to vote, it was manifestly God's will that they vote, and to vote for the particular candidate for which God placed a desire in them to vote.

UncleJD

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **3/23/16 11:55 am**

That's interesting QW, but what if their candidate doesn't win? Is the thought you just illustrated normative across the movement? I ask because the folks I discuss it with usually tell me that Obama, Hitler, Stallin, all were God's will, so I'm not sure if they actually vote or not. I only know a few, admitedly, but I know they are going to churches that are ran by Calvinists teachers.

Quiet Wyatt

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/23/16 12:51 pm**

In all kinds of Calvinism, God's will is always done no matter what. So, if God placed in you a desire to vote for a loser, then it was nonetheless God's will that you vote as you did.

I know Jonathan Edwards is still very influential among Calvinists. Piper is a huge fan of Edwards. I do not know precisely to what extent Edwards' compatibilism holds sway among Calvinists, but from articles I have read in magazines such as Christianity Today, Edwards is definitely highly popular amongst contemporary Calvinists.

Aaron Scott

Calvinism looks just like Free Will at some point.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **3/23/16 2:21 pm**

Calvinism does not hold, so far as I know, that one feels controlled. Nope, we all feel absolutely free.

We believe we ARE free. Calvinists believe we only THINK we are free, but that everything is already decided, etc.

UncleJD

Re: Calvinism looks just like Free Will at some point.

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **3/23/16 3:27 pm**

Quiet Wyatt

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **3/23/16 5:17 pm**

Calvinists I've known were definitely not fatalists. They believe what they do matters, even if, in their view, all human choices are merely a predestined means to an end.

Link

Re: Calvinists, do you vote?

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **3/23/16 11:08 pm**

Da Sheik

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1865 **3/24/16 7:19 pm**

I lean towards what is commonly known as "Calvinism". God is Sovereign but we still have responsibility. We are not privy to God's perfect will so, yes, we do vote according to our conscience.