Why are so many creation stories so smiliar?
A Calvinist would say that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time. This means that only certain "elect" people were elected for salvation. The "elect" make up the Calvinist Church.
Now to answer the question: Over the years the influence of Calvinism in creation stories has been heard all over the world. The "elect" people and "non-elect" people have similar stories, but they also differ. They differ because the "elect" are predestined by God. While, the "non-elect" people are not predestined. They are similar because many people, the "elect and "non-elect," have retold these stories to one another. This is the point where all the similarities begin to show.
There are many views to Christian Predestination.
1. Conditional Predestination- Believes that freedom of choice is given to all; Therefore, God predestines on the basis of the foreknowledge of how some will respond to his universal love.
2. Temporal Predestination- God only determines temporal matters, not eternal ones.
3. Sublapsarianism- This means that God predestined sinful men for salvation.
A lot of religions believe in predestination or a "divine plan."
Here are a few:
1. Calvinism- As mentioned above, Calvinists believe that God predestined everyone at the beginning of time.
2. Baptists- They believe that God has a purpose for everyone. God predestined that every saved believer will be made in His image. Predestination makes certain that the believer stays saved and accomplishes the eternal purpose of God.
3. Islam- Muslims have a strong view toward predestination. Allah, knows and ordains whatever comes to pass.
Tracy Field, Jennifer Hyatt, Sarah Sumrall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination
10 comments:
First, are you saying that all creation stories were influenced by the "elect" (such as the Jews?)Also, is other creation stories different because the truth is actually hidden from the "non-elect"?
There are probably a thousand opposing views - maybe more - when it comes to what the Bible really teaches - from Genesis to Revelation. But whose interpretation is right? A Calvinist may believe that only 144,000 are pre-destined for heaven, while the Baptist believes that everyone has a chance - "...whosoever will..."(Jn.3:16). Both support their doctrine with scripture. It would be entertaining to hear a debate between the two.
No offense to the Calvinists, but I would have to side with the Baptist on this one. I do believe God knows each person's final destination, but leaves the choice entirely up to the individual. I believe he predestined a People to be saved because it was His will that mankind have the opportunity to return to the spiritual state that he originally created Adam and Eve in. He created the opportunity and knew that there would always be those who would accept the offer.
Reply: Robin Burkhalter
We agree with the baptist doctrine as well, we were only doing the assignment. Calvinism had a lot of information and it greatly influence predestination.
I totally agree with you Robin on the belief of the Baptist because I am Baptist and the choices we make in life depends on the individual and their outcome.
I totally agree with you Robin on the belief of the Baptist because I am Baptist and the choices we make in life depends on the individual and their outcome.
I disagree with the calvinism who believe God predestined everyone at the beginning of time and teh elect people are the only one's who get saved. I believe God gives everyone a chance to be saved. But he knows who ill aceept him or not. It was interesting to see how many religions believe in predestination and the different types of predestination. I never really tought there were different types.
I personally believe that God has a plan for everyone. So if that means we are predestined or what then I guess we are, but that doesn't mean that plans do not change. I am a Baptist and I believe in the Baptist Doctrine, but everyone is entitled to there way of thinking. So if that means that there are elect and non-elect that God has chosen then, let it be.
Reply to Jan:
I believe that God has a plan for us. I, also, believe that he gives a choice to choose our salvation. Even though, he knows what our outcome will be, he gives us a choice.
Reply to Robin:
No, we're not saying that ALL creation stories were influenced by the "elect." Lets face it, there are MANY, MANY creation stories in this world. Calvinism couldn't have influenced them all.
I believe that God has a plan for everyone. Each individual just has to choose his/her path, whether it is to believe in God or not. I don't believe that God predestined everyone from the beginning though. I do, however, think that it is interesting to read about the many different types of predestination. It is interesting to read about what other religions believe in and how they live their lives.
I personally did not agree with the Calvinism or all of their beliefs. We were just answering the question like we believe a Calvinist would answer the question of creation. I believe that God knows each of us before we are even in our mother's womb (in Pslams), but I also believe too that we have the choice to accept or reject Him. Some choose the path that God has for them, while other stray away. I believe that we are all suppose to go to Heaven as children of God, but what we choose whether or not we will follow God's way and plan. We just did the assignment to learn something different and see it from another religions point of view.
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