If Melanchthon Can Do It, So can You!

Melanchthon was Martin Luther's younger associate in the German Reformation. Luther never met with Calvin, but Melanchthon became friends with Calvin and they often exchanged letters. Luther was 13 years older than Melanchthon and Melanchthon was 12 years older than Calvin. Calvin and Luther disagreed on the eucharist (communion elements). Luther held to the belief of consubstantiation (Christ is actually present IN the bread and wine), but Calvin instead believed Christ was only spiritually present as the elements were being eaten.

Melanchthon originally sided with Luther concerning the Lord's Supper, but later independently broke with Luther on this and went over to Calvin's views.

Melanchthon likewise showed the ability to analyze truth and to think critically concerning Calvin's fatalistic view of divine fore-ordination and predestination. Although Melanchthon originally agreed with Calvin and spoke with Calvin in person and through letters, Melanchthon eventually conceded that man had freedom of will and could accept or reject salvation. Melanchthon did not consider the acceptance of the Gospel as a meritorious work, but said it was man's free will responding to the Truth. On this point he dissented from Calvin.

Melanchthon was a reformation friend of both Luther and Calvin. On several levels he was an equal scholar with them. If he can reject doctrinal positions of both Luther and Calvin, so can you. (source -Philip Schaff, History of The Christian Church, Vol. VIII, p. 387, copyright 1910.)

New Book Has Arrived

3,000 copies of "Jerusalem: History, Archaeology
and Apologetic Proof of Scripture" have arrived.

Three pallets of books arrived Friday afternoon,
but I was at work.

Zac willingly skipped a class at school to pack the
boxes into storage.

Zac stacked 190 boxes.

This book contains 500 photos of Jerusalem taken
this summer (June 2010)  by Toni and Galyn Wiemers.
It also includes diagrams and maps that help explain the
history and present day location of Biblical sites in
the city of Jerusalem.

This book is available upon request (no charge) from
Generation Word.
Just email a shipping address to
gw@generationword.com

This book is divided into seven sections, including:

• An introduction to Jerusalem
• Topography of Jerusalem
• Jerusalem in the Old Testament
• Jerusalem during the days of the Macabees
  and the Hasmoneans
• Jerusalem in the New Testament
• Jerusalem under the control of the Gentiles:
  Romans, Crusaders and Muslims
• Some special archaeological treasures
• The future of Jerusalem

Is this the Brilliant Mind of the Reformation?

I have been researching John Calvin's life and doctrine. Up until now my impression has been that it is understood that Calvin was "the man." People write about him as if he were the end of theological discussion. Of course, it would appear that John Calvin thought he, like Mohammad and Joseph Smith, was the final authority concerning God's revelation to man. But, there are many, many things that make me wonder if John Calvin is even worth studying other than as a historical figure who misdirected church doctrine and practice 500 years ago (more on that later). But, first check out the margin notes placed in the Geneva Bible (credited to Calvin and his contemporary reformers) after the first verse of Revelation chapter one. Does this sound like something we would use today to guide us through our interpretation of Revelation? 

Revelation 1:1

1:1 - The {1} {a} Revelation of {b} Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John

1 AD The dragon watches the Church of the Jews, which was ready to travail: She brings forth, flees and hides herself, while Christ was yet on the earth.

34 AD The dragon persecutes Christ ascending to heaven, he fights and is thrown down: and after persecutes the Church of the Jews.

67 AD The Church of the Jews is received into the wilderness for three years and a half.

70 AD When the Church of the Jews was overthrown, the dragon invaded the catholic church: all this is in the twelfth chapter. The dragon is bound for a thousand years in chapter twenty. The dragon raises up the beast with seven heads, and the beast with two heads, which make havock of the catholic church and her prophets for 1260 years after the passion of Christ in Re 13:11 .

97 AD The seven churches are admonished of things present, somewhat before the end of Domitian his reign, and are forewarned of the persecution to come under Trajan for ten years, chapter 2,3. God by word and signs provokes the world, and seals the godly in chapter 6 and 7. He shows examples of his wrath on all creatures, mankind excepted in chapter 8.

1073 AD The dragon is let loose after a thousand years, and Gregory the seventh, being Pope, rages against Henry the third, then Emperor in chapter 20.

1217 AD The dragon vexes the world for 150 years to Gregory the ninth, who wrote the Decretals, and most cruelly persecuted the Emperor Fredrick the second.

1295 AD The dragon kills the prophets after 1260 years, when Boniface the eighth was Pope, who was the author of the sixth book of the Decretals: he excommunicated Philip the French King.

1300 AD Boniface celebrates the Jubile.

1301 AD About this time was a great earthquake, which overthrew many houses in Rome.

1305 AD Prophecy ceases for three years and a half, until Benedict the second succeeded after Boniface the eighth. Prophecy is revived in chapter 11. The dragon and the two beasts question prophecy in chapter 13. Christ defends his Church in word and deed, chapter 14, and with threats and arms, chapter 16. Christ gives his Church victory over the harlot, chapter 17 and 18. Over the two beasts, chapter 19. Over the dragon and death, chapter 20. The Church is fully glorified in heaven with eternal glory, in Christ Jesus, chapter 21 and 22.

Galyn Wiemers with two pages from his Bible collection:
Left: a page from the original 1560 Geneva Bible
Right: a page from the original first edition of the King James Bible from 1611-1650.

 It was well known that in his day Calvin would imprison and execute people in Geneva for questioning his teaching (mainly concerning Calvin's book Institutes). I think Calvin would have marked me as a potential problem for the city of Geneva when he started to explained Revelation as is seen above. His henchmen would have escorted me from the preaching meeting when I started to ask questions concerning 34 and 67 AD. I would have been imprisoned when I challenged his exegetical work concerning 70 AD's connection to Revelation 13. I never would have had a chance to hear the wildly ridiculous teaching from Revelation chapter 20 as applied to the year 1073 AD because I would have either been fleeing Geneva by night or burning at the stake in Geneva by day. Calvin's life and doctrine are simply indefensible in so many areas and concerning so many events. I am amazed Calvin is so highly regarded by theologians and believers today. I am still organizing my research, but I am stunned that this man is honored in the Christian church. Based simply on my wife's response to the small amount of information I have read to her concerning Calvin's life and doctrine, I must assume that many other people will also shuddered in disbelief when they hear more of these things concerning Calvin and be repulsed the next time the name John Calvin is mentioned.
---
PS - I do have Calvin's complete commentary set which includes every book of the Bible except for Revelation. There is no commentary on Revelation because Calvin never wrote one.