Early Church Calvinism

For those who've been deceived by the Eastern Orthodox church into believing that the early church theologians and writers did not believe in Calvinistic doctrine prior to Augustine;

For those who've been lied to by professors or pastors, and told that our church fathers knew no such teachings as those today espoused by Calvinists;

And for those who would simply like to enrich their understanding of early church theology, to better grasp that "faith delivered once for all to the saints"....

Here is a link to some writings and quotations of John Gill, where he clearly proves that our church fathers knew of and believed Calvinistic doctrine prior to Augustine's ministry. Admittedly, their theology, prior to the Pelagian heresy, was not formulated as it was by Augustine and others; this is plainly due to the fact that the major heresies they were refuting, and therefore the sytems of theology they were most concerned with systematizing, involved the nature of God. But Augustine, the champion of the doctrines of Predestination and Original Sin, fell in line with what had most generally been agreed upon by the truly orthodox.

http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/gills_archive.htm
(note: the listing begins just past 3/4 of the way down the page, and with the title "Chapter 1. of Predestination"). Enjoy and pass along!

Misrepresenting Calvinism

It's sad people listen to men like Chuck Smith (like on "Pastor's Perspective" today), and receive an imbalanced presentation of historical Calvinism. I once did as well, and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Did truth begin with our generation? Don't people consult teachers in order to help them understand the Bible? Of course, for God has granted them as gifts to His Church (Ephesians 4)! Here is a man I hope you will consult with, CH Spurgeon-

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?41