That is a really good question. Is Calvinism irresistible? Instantly, your interest was either peeked or killed on the spot. As an Independent, Fundamental, King James Version reading, soul winning, evangelistic, hell fire and damnation, chandelier swinging, barn storming, pew jumping, pulpit pounding, Bible thumping, window rattling, paint peeling, leather lunged screeching, sin hating, Devil fighting, hyperseperationalist, pre-millennial, altar calling, hymn singing, hankie waving, red blooded American Patriotic, flag saluting, fireworks gazing, fried chicken eating, gospel giving, chair kicking, wife loving family man that I am, I can honestly say that Calvinism is NOT irresistible. Here's my premise.
There is not a person on the earth that has ever studied organized theology without ever having to wade through the annals of time and determine if Calvinism is accurate. Whether you agree with its position or not, you cannot ignore it. You cannot resist its presence. A true Bible student will have to come face to face with the 5 pointed monster which has forced many to re-evaluate their position regarding the salvation of man.
There are many young people today who are terribly ignorant concerning the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To them, it is either a process of yes and no answers and a repeated prayer to which they publicly recite or it is a deep dark study into the mind of the very one we will never comprehend.
For the serious Bible student who actually reads and studies the Scriptures without the propaganda that is being shot at them from a cannon from either direction, it isn't too long before they encounter such words as "grace", "election", "predestined", "elect", "quickened", "faith", "repentance", "believe" and "regeneration". These words are used by believers and non-believers alike. The majority of the academic driven scholars will wholeheartedly agree that Calvinism is not only accurate but will resound the statement by C.H. Spurgeon that "Calvinism is the gospel." To the average layman pastor who has given himself over to the ministry and is doing all he can do to prepare himself and a sermon for each service while maintaining an urgent self mandated quota of evangelizing the lost at every waking minute, Calvinism is the greatest theological nightmare to the history of mankind.
About five years ago I began to encounter Calvinism. I always thought I knew what it was and marked it off as lazy Christianity. I began to explore the fascinating and mesmerizing theological slants and commentaries regarding this taboo doctrine. Why is it that the same preachers who are so against Calvinism never see the same number of people follow the Lord in baptism? Why is it that soul winning "marathons" always yield hundreds if not thousands saved in a 3 day effort but yet the church never grows? I also wondered why it was that the gospel could be preached so clearly and powerfully and yet a person could leave the offer on the table and never receive God's provision of salvation.
I was disgruntled with what I was told was true and began to delve into this strange but seemingly accurate avenue of theology that was drawing me to its core. I began reopening my doctrinal statement to be sure I was adhering to the correct doctrine. I found this to be true; my instructors, for the most part, were ignorant of the details but right in its end product.
It is a shame that those who claim Calvinism to be a farce are some of the most ignorant and unlearned men on the face of the earth. A person does not have to know all of the details and chemical breakdowns and reactions of a snake's venom to know that they are dangerous and can kill a person but the more that is left out- the more there will be unsolved and eager to explore.
There seems to be a new trend among my brothers and sisters coming up behind me (I am at the old seasoned age of 32). This trend is towards Calvinism. I believe it is due to the ridiculous standards and restrictions placed on them as children and teens growing up in good Independent Baptist Churches. I am all for standards and convictions. I am not for the silly things that we have grown accustomed to. Examples include which way to part your hair, which way you shape your haircut in the back, the brands of clothing, the types of KJV BIbles we allow, and even to the stupidity of what college we will associate with. Bob Jones is not acceptable and they are heathen! Do you understand me? FLAMING HEATHEN! Meanwhile, Colleges like Hyles Anderson has produced some of the most vile sexual predators known to the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement.
The music that we uphold as "acceptable" is nothing more than watered down country music while CCM is labeled as "christian rock." I am not an advocate of Southern Gospel and I am not a big fan of most Contemporary Christian Music groups and artists. I will point out this comparison though; the lyrics from SGM tends to be more of "look what Jesus did for me" and CCM is more of "this is what Jesus makes me feel like."There are some fantastic songs and artists on both sides of the debate. However, the point I am attempting to establish is that the songs we promote as "godly" are shallow in theology. Sure, there are bad songs on both sides. It is a popular trend right now for acoustic guitars. If you are looking for some of the best chords and lyrics for these kids to listen to, they are limited in their quest. You will find that some of the most godly lyrics out there are from highly Calvinistic sources. Calvinists ARE reaching out to the world and are making more of an impact than what we blame them for.
Under the flagship of "grace" our clothing, music, attendance, outreach, and even our financial giving has been compromised on both sides. Calvinism has become an all encompassing title and safe haven for rebellion against God's laws and demands because of one's misinformed definition of grace.
Calvinism is a stereotyped spiritual slur that people toss out to insult or to imply one's level of spirituality. It isn't the gospel. It is not a worldview. It is nothing more than man's armchair quarterback understanding regarding the salvation of man and the foreknowledge of God.
4 comments:
I enjoyed the blog very much as I, too, am exploring this belief system that I may better understand how others fall into its deception and be better able to defend the truth, and articulate the ramifications of standing upon and preaching and teachings the errors therein.
Having said that, I wanted to add my thoughts to yours. I have some constructive criticism to point out and hope that they will serve you if I am correct in my observation, or be corrected myself to better understand what I now think I do.
The 5 points of Calvinism are not explained here, presumably on purpose. Perhaps at least explaining what TULIP means would help some?
I wondered what Calvinism had to do with the modern evangelism method of asking yes or no questions and the follow up 'sinner's prayer' verses the "deep, dark(?) study of the mind of Christ. Wouldn't that only apply to hyper-calvinists?
You mentioned encountering Calvinism 5 years ago and how you explored the theological slants and commentaries, and mentioned baptism. Correlation?
You mentioned soul winning marathons and a lack of church growth as well as the gospel seeming impotent but no reasons offered why. These things seemed to float by themselves in the blog, and by that I mean what was the point with respect to Calvinism?
I loved the opening humor, did I mention that? (I seem to be being excessively negative here).
You stated being drawn to Calvinism but not how in any way. Were your instructors bent toward Calvinism?
One other thing I wondered: how does a bent toward (if that's the right expression?) Calvinism manifest itself in ridiculous standards and restrictions among the newer Christians?
I love the last paragraph's summary. I very much enjoyed this, brother.
5 points not mentioned, on purpose?
How does Calvinism play into the modern gospel presentation or a study into the mind of Christ? I love the contrast portrayed.
The words "grace", "election", "predestined", etc., used by unbelievers? That statement seems to stand alone undealt with.
Calvinism someone's greatest nightmare - how?
What does Calvinism have to do with soul winning bearing no church growth? Isn't the quandry whether or not to evangelize in the Calvinistic circles? The gospel seeming to be impotent .. you offer no reasons for it, or speculations as to why, so the remark seems to float by itself.
You stated you were being drawn to Calvinism but not how in any way, and I wasn't sure whether the instructors you mentioned were for or against Calvinism.
Lastly, I wondered what the correlation was between the bent toward (if that's the right term) Calvinism and the manifested ridiculous standards and restrictions imposed upon the youth in the church?
I loved the summary in the last paragraph and I really enjoyed this piece, despite my seemingly sole critical nature of my remarks.
I have a great deal of notes and articles I am looking over, studying the scriptures trying to hone my own skills in defending the faith against this error and helping those steeped in it to see the danger of this belief system - as I also try to understand how such Godly men smarter than me support any of the 5 points they refer to as TULIP; men like Spurgeon of old and later R. C. Sproul.
Try not to laugh at my naivity of some of this whole topic :P
I left the 5 points out on purpose. It wasn't the teachings that I wanted to draw attention to as much as it is the concept.
Forgive me for not being as clear as I should have been. I was being the devil's advocate on the part of modern evangelism's method.
Baptism in is an evidence of the new birth. (water)
Again, I was playing a devils advocate against "anticalvinistic" rant. Calvinists have been some of the greatest "soul winners" in the history of the church.
there were a few people who attempted to coach me towards calvinism but once I began asking questions they cut me off.
Calvinism's end product teaches that salvation and sanctification is without human surrender. some of the most worldly people outwardly claim to be calvinists.
The believer who thinks it is his responsibility to save the lost will hate what calvinism portrays. However, Calvinism hates what that person is portraying. Evangelism isn't meant to be "sowing wild oats" but it isn't supposed to be hunting for buried treasure.
I am not the greatest at explaining my thoughts..which is why I try not to think often or at all. (sarcasm)
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