What a Calvinist Isn't

I've heard a lot of misconceptions about Calvinism from my non-Calvinist friends, and so I finally decided to write something about it. I don't write a lot about Calvinism--mainly because I take it for granted--and I am not a lover of fruitless theological arguments. But I am tired of being misrepresented, so I'd like to set a few things straight.

• A Calvinist is not a fatalist. A true Calvinist believes that God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are both clearly taught in scripture. We do not entirely understand how they correspond, but we trust that they do. We know that we are called to behave as free, responsible agents. God's hidden will that brings some things to pass and frustrates others is none of our business. We trust scripture, but do not go further than scripture teaches. Interestingly, most critiques of Calvinism by Arminians are based on philosophical, not scriptural proofs (ie, God cannot be completely sovereign and completely good, because He would have to be the author of evil, etc).

• A Calvinist is not opposed to grace. I'm not sure where this one came from, but it keeps popping up, maybe because people mistake hyper-Calvinists (see item 1) with true Calvinists. A Calvinist believes we are saved by grace alone, and that grace upholds us even now. 

• A Calvinist is not opposed to evangelism. Many assume that since God has elected some (not all) for salvation, we may as well forget about evangelism, but this is not what Calvinism teaches. It goes back item one: we do not know who God, in his wisdom, has chosen, so we preach to any and all.

• A Calvinist is not a worshipper of Calvin, any more than an Arminian is a worshipper of Arminius. Calling someone a Calvinist is simply a way of saying they are a Reformed, Orthodox, Augustinian Christian. I have no allegiance to a term, but please stop saying you are neither Arminian nor Calvinist, but simply Christian. You have a view of soteriology. You can call it what you like, but I guarantee you: it's not new.

Ok, I feel better. In a later post, I'll talk more about what a Calvinist is. 

Comments

[Linda Bedsole]

I love the way you handled the many comprehensive,much debated issues of Calvinism. It was not done in a comprehensive way (which is what, I am sure you intended ), but the important points were clearly stated and well stated. Someone who is not theology based can still read and understand this. You grand dad would smile at the phrase "...God's hidden will is none of our business...."
I am glad, as your mom, that you feel better with this post. It is a good one. Thanks for sharing !

[Sleigh Monk]

also,

A Vacant Within Lists
A Naval Chits Nitwits
A Scant Lavish Nitwit
A Swath Instant Civil
A Visitant Law Snitch
Chainsaw Vast Tilt In
Satanic Van Wish Tilt

[DB]

Brilliant, Holmes.