Monday, October 1, 2018

The Importance of the Doctrine of God in LDS vs. Reformed issues


Recently, one Calvinist attempted to downplay the description of God's love in human terms, which would refute his Reformed theology, argued thusly (in an "either-or") manner:

I think what Calvinism does is that is avoids an anthropomorphic understanding of love and justice and it calls us to a divine understanding of those things. (beginning at the 31:40 mark)

In reality, the Bible presents God's love as "anthropomorphic" as God is indeed embodied--attempts to get around descriptions of God Himself, as well as His actions are, from an exegetical perspective, not mere metaphors.

For more on God being embodied, His relationship to humanity, and just some of the many exegetical problems with Calvinism see:

Lynn Wilder vs. Latter-day Saint (and Biblical) Theology on Divine Embodiment

Latter-day Saint Theology and Acts 17:28-29 (cf. It is problematic to cite Joseph Fitzmyer?)

An Examination and Critique of the Theological Presuppositions Underlying Reformed Theology

Blake Ostler once said that the God of Calvinism is the Satan of "Mormonism"--I have to agree as the concept of God in Reformed theology is an impotent deity who is, Calvinist gymnastics to the contrary from Edwards et al, notwithstanding, is the author of sin.