Calvinismo
Calvinismo es el sistema teológico asociado con el Reformador Juan Calvino que enfatiza la soberania de Dios sobre todas las cosas como lo es reflejado en Las Escrituras, Dios, humanidad, salvación, y la iglesia. En la lengua comun, Calvinismo frecuentemente se refiere a la doctrina de los Cinco Puntos del Calvinismo con respecto a la salvación. Conocido con el acróstico TULIP en ingles. En su sentido mas amplio el Calvinismo es asociado con la Teología Reformada.
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[editar] Transfondo
El Calvinismo es nombrado asi en honor al reformador del siglo 16 Juan Calvino cuya teologia esta contenida en los Institución de la Religión Cristiana (1559). A veces al Calvinismo se le refiere de con otros nombres como "Agustinianismo" porque basicamente Calvino era seguidor de Agustín (354-430 A.D.) en areas de la predestinación y la sobernia de Dios
En un sentido amplio, el Calvinismo puede ser virtualmente sinonomo de "protestantismo Reformado" o Teología Reformada. Abarcando todo el conjunto de doctrina eneseñada por las iglesias Reformadas y representadas en varias Confessiones Reformadas como la Confesión Bélgica (1561) y la Confesion de fe Westminster (1647)
[editar] Escritura
La fuente del sistema de Calvino puede ser expresado en el termino Sola Scriptura. Este principio de la Reforma demuestra la conviccion de que la Biblia is la Palabra de Dios y por lo tanto la autoridad final en fe y practica. Un error comun es que Sola Scriptura es entendido como "solo" la Biblia. Calvino y los Reformadores creyeron fuertemente en la tradicion. e.g. Calvino constantemente citaba a los padres de la iglesia. Sin embargo La Escritura tenia la autoridad final y la tradicion era un papel subordinado. La autoridad de las Escrituras no eran a traves de argumentacion racional o pruebas, pero a traves del testimonio del Espiritu Santo. ref> Cf. Juan Calvino, Institución de la Religión Cristiana , libro 1, capitulo 7, seccion 4. Ver Tambien libro 1, capitulo 8, secciones 1-13. </ref>
[editar] Dios
El calvinismo afirma y confiesa la doctrina histórica de la Trinidad: Dios como Padre, Hijo, y Espíritu Santo. Dios es perfecto en todos sus atributos, y es autosuficiente. Por lo tanto, Dios no está sujeto al tiempo o a otros seres, ni puede ser reducido a ninguna materia o categoría espacial disponible para el razonamiento o examen humano. [1] Dios es también misterioso, u oculto, pero El ha escogido revelarse a sí mismo al hombre, lo cual ha llevado a cabo con las Escrituras.
[editar] Salvation (Five Points of Calvinism)
The Calvinist doctrine of salvation is summarized in what is commonly called the Five Points of Calvinism, or the Doctrines of Grace, known by the acronym TULIP. These five points are a summary of the Canons of Dort which in turn was the judgment of the Synod of Dort (1618–1619) against related Arminian teaching. These five points are not intended to be a comprehensive summary of Calvinism or Reformed doctrine, but an exposition of the sovereignty of God in salvation -- arranged to address the particular points in dispute raised by the Arminians of that day.
The summary wording below is adapted from the Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics:
[editar] Total depravity
Calvinism teaches that humanity is totally depraved. Due to the Fall, the original relationship that Adam and Eve enjoyed with God was severed by sin. This affected the entire human race, corrupting the heart, mind, and will of every person born. Thus, people's natural actions and affections, whether viewed by man as bad or good, are never pleasing to God. The Calvinist understanding of total depravity does not mean that people are as evil as they possibly could be. People still make good choices (from a human perspective), but no matter how good they may be, they never gain favor with God. While total depravity is commonly associated with John Calvin, this theological viewpoint is based on the theology of Augustine (b. 354).
- Contrast with universal prevenient grace
[editar] Unconditional election
Unconditional election is the doctrine which states that God chose those whom he was pleased to bring to a knowledge of himself, not based upon any merit shown by the object of his grace and not based upon foreseen faith (especially a mere decisional faith). God has elected, based solely upon the counsel of his own will, some for glory and others for damnation (Romans 9:15, 21). He has done this act before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4–8).
- See also election, predestination, and foreknowledge of God
[editar] Limited atonement
Limited atonement (also known as "definite atonement") is a doctrine offered in answer to the question, "for whose sins did Christ atone?" The Bible teaches that Christ died for those whom God gave him to save (John 17:9). Christ died, indeed, for many people, but not all (Matthew 26:28). Specifically, Christ died for the invisible Church -- the sum total of all those who would ever rightly bear the name "Christian" (Ephesians 5:25).
- See also atonement of Christ and penal substitutionary atonement
[editar] Irresistible grace
The result of God's irresistible grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit, when the outward call is given by the evangelist or minister of the Word of God. Christ, himself, teaches that all whom God has elected will come to a knowledge of him (John 6:37). Men come to Christ in salvation when the Father calls them (John 6:44), and the very Spirit of God leads God's beloved to repentance (Romans 8:14). What a comfort it is to know that the gospel of Christ will penetrate our hard, sinful hearts and wondrously save us through the gracious inward call of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 5:10)!
- See also faith, repentance, and regeneration
[editar] Perseverance of the saints
Those called and justified will certainly be glorified (Romans 8:28–39). The work of sanctification which God has brought about in his elect will continue until it reaches its fulfillment in eternal life (Phil. 1:6). Christ assures the elect that he will not lose them and that they will be glorified at the "last day" (John 6:39). The Calvinist stands upon the Word of God and trusts in Christ's promise that he will perfectly fulfill the will of the Father in saving all the elect.
- See also lordship salvation and assurance of salvation
[editar] The Church
[editar] Theology of the sacraments
Calvinists regard the sacraments as gracious gifts from Christ to his church, the substance of the sacraments being Christ and their benefits being appropriated by faith. They are memorial and symbolic in nature, but not simply memorial and symbolic, as Jesus is faithful to his promise. Thus, if a thing is signified by a sacrament, he will certainly bestow the thing so signified on a faithful participant, and indeed he himself will accompany the sign. Consistent with Protestantism in general, Calvinism acknowledges the two sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper as being specifically instituted by Christ for the church.
[editar] The Five Solas of the Reformation
The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation, while not unique to Calvinism, are integral to a Calvinist theological perspective and therefore bear restating here:
- Sola Fide - by faith alone, in specific reference to Justification.
- Sola Scriptura - by the Scriptures alone, in reference to authority.
- Solus Christus - by Christ alone, as our sole mediator and intercessor before God.
- Sola gratia - by grace alone, in reference to salvation.
- Soli Deo gloria - to God alone the glory.
[editar] Notes
[editar] See also
- Calvinism/Sacramentology
- Reformed theology
- TULIP
- Infant baptism
- Covenant theology
- Amillennialism
- Monergism
- Hyper-Calvinism
- Arminianism
[editar] External links
- H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies (Calvin College)
- Calvin's Institutes
[editar] Introductions
- Defining My Terms: Calvinist And Reformed, by Tim Challies
- Calvinism as defined in the New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. II.
[editar] Favorable
- Bad Arguments Against Calvinism, by Gregory Koukl
- Reformed.org
- Monergism.com
- Calvinism, Arminianism, and Creditism?, by Greg Gibson
[editar] Critical
- Arminian Theology, by Roger E. Olson (ISBN 0830828419)
- The Grace of God, The Will of Man: A Case for Arminianism, Clark Pinnock, ed. (ISBN 1556616910)
- Why I Am Not a Calvinist, by Jerry L. Walls, Joseph Dongell (ISBN 0830832491)
- The Five Points of Calvinism Considered, by David Servant
- Calvinism Critiqued by a Former Calvinist, by Steve Jones
- In Death or Life.org: Calvinism - Critical examination of some of Calvinism's claims from a synergist perspective
