The Propagation of Errors

As Irenaeus revealed what the Gnostics were teaching, and the foundation for which they were in error, we can clearly see the genesis of TULIP. Just as the teachings and doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons are nothing new. The teachings of Calvinism are no different and did not originate in the late 1500’s, but instead we can find that they are rooted deep in the teachings of the Gnostics of the first through forth centuries.

 

With over 1800 years of time these views have been woven, refined and tuned, using the exact same process that Irenaeus warned us about.

 

John Calvin makes it very clear where he received his teachings.

 

Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God

http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/reformed-theology

 

“In a word, Augustine is so wholly with me, that if I wished to write a confession of my faith, I could do so with all fulness and satisfaction to myself out of his writings. But that I may not, on the present occasion, be too prolix, I will be content with three or four instances of his testimony, from which it will be manifest that he does not differ from me one pin’s point.”

 

Augustine was a Manichean Gnostic for nine years and though he renounced his past, he makes it clear as to how he took the teachings of the Heathens.

 

CHAPTER 40. WHATEVER HAS BEEN RIGHTLY SAID BY THE HEATHEN, WE MUST APPROPRIATE TO OUR USES.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.v.v.xl.html

 

60. Moreover, if those who are called philosophers, and especially the Platonists, have said aught that is true and in harmony with our faith, we are not only not to shrink from it, but to claim it for our own use from those who have unlawful possession of it. For, as the Egyptians had not only the idols and heavy burdens which the people of Israel hated and fled from, but also vessels and ornaments of gold and silver, and garments, which the same people when going out of Egypt appropriated to themselves, designing them for a better use, not doing this on their own authority, but by the command of God, the Egyptians themselves, in their ignorance, providing them with things which they themselves were not making a good use of; in the same way all branches of heathen learning have not only false and superstitious fancies and heavy burdens of unnecessary toil, which every one of us, when going out under the leadership of Christ from the fellowship of the heathen, ought to abhor and avoid; but they contain also liberal instruction which is better adapted to the use of the truth, and some most excellent precepts of morality; and some truths in regard even to the worship of the One God are found among them. Now these are, so to speak, their gold and silver, which they did not create themselves, but dug out of the mines of God's providence which are everywhere scattered abroad, and are perversely and unlawfully prostituting to the worship of devils. These, therefore, the Christian, when he separates himself in spirit from the miserable fellowship of these men, ought to take away from them, and to devote to their proper use in preaching the gospel. Their garments, also, that is, human institutions such as are adapted to that intercourse with men which is indispensable in this life, we must take and turn to a Christian use.

 

It is clear that Augustine had no problem using the teachings of the heathens, and even taught that we “are not only not to shrink from it, but to claim it for our own use” and “must take and turn to a Christian use”.

 

I must also take note that the picture that he uses is very coincidental. What did the Israelites (a Type of the Church) first do with this gold from the Egyptians (a Type of the World) after they escaped their slavery. For they took the gold and made a false god the Golden Calf. Could the use of these heathen teachings as “Gold” be transformed into a false god as well?

 

We can also look into the teachings of Hippolytus who was a disciple if Irenaeus and see where he felt the Gnostic Valentinus had derived much of his teachings. We will see that it is from the Platonic Theory or the Platonists that Augustine recommended to “claim it for our own use”.

 

Hippolytus [A.D. 170–236.]

 

Chapter XVI.—Heresy of Valentinus; Derived from Plato and Pythagoras.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf05.iii.iii.iv.xvii.html

 

The heresy of Valentinus is certainly, then, connected with the Pythagorean and Platonic theory. For Plato, in the Timæus, altogether derives his impressions from Pythagoras, and therefore Timæus himself is his Pythagorean stranger. Wherefore, it appears expedient that we should commence by reminding (the reader) of a few points of the Pythagorean and Platonic theory, and that (then we should proceed) to declare the opinions of Valentinus. For even although in the books previously finished by us with so much pains, are contained the opinions advanced by both Pythagoras and Plato, yet at all events I shall not be acting unreasonably, in now also calling to the recollection of the reader, by means of an epitome, the principal heads of the favorite tenets of these (speculators). And this (recapitulation) will facilitate our knowledge of the doctrines of Valentinus, by means of a nearer comparison, and by similarity of composition (of the two systems). For (Pythagoras and Plato) derived these tenets originally from the Egyptians, and introduced their novel opinions among the Greeks. But (Valentinus took his opinions) from these, because, although he has suppressed the truth regarding his obligations to (the Greek philosophers), and in this way has endeavored to construct a doctrine, (as it were,) peculiarly his own, yet, in point of fact, he has altered the doctrines of those (thinkers) in names only, and numbers, and has adopted a peculiar terminology (of his own). Valentinus has formed his definitions by measures, in order that he may establish an Hellenic heresy, diversified no doubt, but unstable, and not connected with Christ.

 

It was not until A.D. 396 that Augustine transformed the Gnostic teachings of Fate into Unconditional Predestination. He is also the first of all the Church Fathers from the Apostolic through the Post-Nicene to deny that man has a free will in respect to salvation.

 

Next we can see in the writings of John Calvin the similarities of the three types of men described earlier in Irenaeus writings.

 

CHAPTER 24. ELECTION CONFIRMED BY THE CALLING OF GOD. THE REPROBATE BRING UPON THEMSELVES THE RIGHTEOUS DESTRUCTION TO WHICH THEY ARE DOOMED.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.v.xxv.html

 

8. The expression of our Savior, "Many are called, but few are chosen," (Mt. 22:14), is also very improperly interpreted (see Book 3, chap. 2, sec. 11, 12). There will be no ambiguity in it, if we attend to what our former remarks ought to have made clear--viz. that there are two species of calling: for there is an universal call, by which God, through the external preaching of the word, invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of death, and the ground of a severer condemnation. Besides this there is a special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take deep root in their hearts. Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness.

 

Here we can see the evolution of the three types of men from the Gnostics to the three types of men from John Calvin. You can see how much more “Biblical” Calvin’s three men seem than the Gnostic’s. I have also added the three degrees of glory from the teachings of Mormonism (Also Gnostic Based) so that you can see the similarities. http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Degrees_of_Glory

 

• Calvin’s 1st - Those through the external preaching of the word, invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of death, and the ground of a severer condemnation.

 

• Gnostic Material – Must of necessity perish (incapable of receiving any afflatus of incorruption)

 

• The Mormon Telestial Glory - “Those who on earth are liars, sorcerers, whoremongers, and adulterers, who receive not the gospel, or the testimony of Jesus, or the prophets”

 

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• Calvin’s 2nd - Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness.

 

• Gnostic Animal – Established by their works, and by mere faith (They don’t have perfect Knowledge)

 

• The Mormon Terrestrial Glory. “The inhabitants of the Terrestrial Kingdom are described as the honorable people of the earth who received a testimony of Jesus but were not sufficiently valiant in that testimony to obey all the principles and ordinances of the gospel”

 

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• Calvin’s 3rd - Besides this there is a special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take deep root in their hearts.

• Gnostic Spiritual – The Perfect, and the Elect seed, “they themselves have grace as their own special possession, which has descended from above by means of an unspeakable and indescribable conjunction”

 

• The Mormon Celestial Glory – “is reserved for those who receive a testimony of Jesus and fully embrace the gospel; that is, they have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, are baptized by immersion by one having authority, receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and endure in righteousness. All who attain this kingdom "shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever"”