I am neither Calviinist nor Finneyist; a plague on both their houses. ;-)
Dutiful and grateful followers of Calvin our great Reformer, yet condemning an error which was that of his age, and strongly attached to liberty of conscience, according to the true principles of the Reformation and of the Gospel, we have erected this expiatory monument. October 27th, 1903.
This is a translation of the words on the expiatory memorial erected by Calvinists in 1903 in Geneva. I have visited this memorial and I could have wished it were in a more prominent place than where it is. The Reformers monument on the other hand is enormous and has representations of Geneva's reformers.

However the words of the expiatory memorial deserve our attention. It 'condemns' an 'error which was of his age'. It is always folly to judge the spirit of a different age. The 'past' says the quotation, 'is another country'. Culture and background, unbringing and the peculiar 'spirit of the age' have powerful effects on us all. Only the naive think we can be objective.

I hope I would have been numbered with the Anabaptists in this conflict but who can tell. There is no such thing as uninterpreted history and all the history we have has passed through the prejudices of many a man.

I have no doubt that there are a few rogues who have embraced Finney's theology too, but Calvin's theology must stand on its own feet and not be judged at 500 years distance by actions which seem unbelievable to our day and age.

There were many godly men who supported 'slavery'. Were they wrong? of course they were wrong but there was slavery for hundreds of years before other godly men undermined it and brought in new legislation. Was Calvin wrong in his support of Serverus' death sentence? From where I am sitting, I have no doubt in saying 'yes', but Calvin wasn't sitting where I am sitting, and while I condemn his action I dare not judge his motive.

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Ron Bailey

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patrick heaviside

The Psalms also record David's repentance, something history does not record about Calvin on this issue. That's not to say Calvin wasn't saved, but something as blatant as killing another human and not showing repentance is something that must grieve the heart of God. I'm glad I'm not the one to judge him.

In light of this, we must remember to judge others based on their life rather than their doctrine.

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Chris Wiebe

But the point is that Calvin did not kill Servetus, regardless.

Now what if I said, "Finney lied on his ordination papers." (Which he did, as he said he agreed to, and would uphold the teachings of the Westminster Confession of Faith)

Now I'm sure the gloves will come off as so many regard this man so highly, but the point is he is a man, not a deity. Though I do not agree at all with his lying, or his doctrine, I will defend his ability to not be perfect(though he would be unwilling to do the same).

All Jesse is doing, is the same thing that Finney did. Finney and his cohorts printed articles and books decrying the horrible Calvinists because they dared to question some of the Oberlin Theology and the methods employed at Finney's meetings.

I highly recommend a book called "Revival and Revivalism" by Iain Murray. It can be found here-

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Revival-Revivalism-Iain-H-Murray/dp/0851516602/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5171481-4038369?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185482539&sr=8-1]Revival And Revivalism[/url]

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patrick heaviside

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Matthew Miskiewicz

Logic asked

what about John Wesley?

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Dominic Shiells