Update: One of my facebook “friends” commented (seemingly at random): If a Pentecostalist, Arminian, Charismatic, Revivalist, or Anabaptist, please defriend or delete me. Or send me your name. I’ll help you.
That is the unhelpful attitude the articles below address.
There are two recent articles for the Calvinist to consider. The first is from the recent WSC Monthly features an article by W. Robert Godfrey, Ph.D. entitled Real Calvinism: A Head and Heart Religion. Dr. Godfrey begins
“Strong on doctrine and scholarship, but weak on life, evangelism and passion.” Too frequently this is the popular image of Calvinism. Contemporary Calvinists may sometimes be responsible for perpetuating this image. In their eagerness for theological precision some Calvinists seem to want to turn their churches into theological debating societies. To the extent the popular image is accurate, contemporary Calvinists have ceased to be genuine Calvinists.
Sadly, this is an all too accurate assessment of many Calvinists. The doctrines of grace may be turned into the doctrines of pride. I’ve pulled out some key points that Godfrey explains should exemplify Calvinism as it is lived out in one’s life.
- head and heart
- warm piety
- examined life
- holy life
- sound doctrine
- truth
- humility
- righteousness
Godfrey gives today’s Calvinist some important considerations.
The second article is called Truly Reformed by Pastor Ray Ortlund. He begins
I believe in the sovereignty of God, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Solas of the Reformation, I believe that grace precedes faith in regeneration. Theologically, I am Reformed. Sociologically, I am simply a Christian – or at least I want to be. The tricky thing about our hearts is that they can turn even a good thing into an engine of oppression. It happens when our theological distinctives make us aloof from other Christians. That’s when, functionally, we relocate ourselves outside the gospel and inside Galatianism.
Are Godfrey and Ortlund right? Would heeding their advice change the face of Calvinism?
A more curious question is – would it change the perspective of the non-Calvinist and the anti-Calvinist?
tagged as calvinism in calvinism,Church Issues,theology
About the author
Mark is a Christian, husband and father. He is a businessman attending seminary in the off hours working on his M.Div. preparing for vocational ministry.
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You may also be interested in this lecture from Pastor Ian Hamilton from the 2002 Greenville Seminary conference on Experimental Calvinism
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=68101037409
Jeff, thanks bro. I’ll check it out.
Gotta love Ortlund’s article. I am very happy to see that post make its way around the blogging world.
One thought: When Calvinism “goes bad” and we do see the nasty-type things like the random tweet you mentioned Mark…is that person’s really that blind to their pride and lack of love? Not trying to be HTT (holier than thou…I dunno if people abbreviated it before…oh well, I just did), but man…sin is indeed deceptive. Don’t make me go on quotin’ Jeremiah now…
Anti-spam word: HUMILITY. Love it! Ha!
The guy I quoted came from Facebook and he only got worse. I think he that blind, unfortunately. Calvinists need to be more gracious, but so do all Christians. Ironically, our sinfulness in these areas just shows us our continued need for Christ!
Seems as though we have the same “friend”…I saw that on his account and would have laughed if it wasn’t so disturbing. It’s sad how those who say they are the doctrines of “grace” can turn them to look far more like you stated…the doctrines of pride…and exclusiveness…you’re either a Calvinist or an enemy. Brutal.
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