Calvinism & Our Generation Part 1: Tension
If we want to be honest a lot of people don’t even know what Calvinism is, much less understand the tension that it brings between believers. None-the-less, if you don’t know what Calvinism is then you probably will soon enough. Calvinism (New Calvinism as people often call it) is a big enough deal that Time Magazine has labeled it “the 3rd largest idea that is changing the world right now.” With the setting of John Calvin’s 500th birthday last July, Calvinism seems to be as popular as ever. Though with this widespread popularity there is never the less much tension… tension between friends, families, church members, pastors, etc. We must ask: why the tension?
Dr. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was quoted in Time Magazine saying, “”The moment someone begins to define God’s [being or actions] biblically, that person is drawn to conclusions that are traditionally classified as Calvinist.” I believe Mohler draws out a crucial point here: When making a defining statement about God’s being or actions, one is definitively making a theological statement. Mohler, and many others like him who fall within the Calvinist camp, claim that definitive statements concerning God’s being or actions lead to conclusions that are “traditionally Calvinist.” The tension here lies within these definitive statements about God’s being and actions. Questions such as, “Is God sovereign? Does God elect and predestine people to go to Heaven? Is Christ’s atonement limited in application and accomplishment only to the elect? Are all men born guilty of sin or not? Does the Holy Spirit draw people to himself?” are all questions that cause tension and uneasiness between Evangelical Christians across the spectrum.
In my own denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), there is much tension. There is tension between Seminaries, between churches, and between pastors on the defining conclusions of God’s being and actions. With in my own family there is tension on this subject. I have friends all over the world where our relationship receives tension because of Calvinism. I have had numberless conversations with people that have built up tension because of this subject. By all means, this is a heavy subject! There are many people who think Calvinism is the spawn of Satan himself and characterize Calvinists with such adjectives as arrogant and prideful and divisive.
Yes, I am very thankful for great theologians such as John Calvin. In fact, I would probably label him as one of the greatest Bible teachers outside of Scripture.
Though I must be clear… a great characteristic that defines our generation concerning believers in King Jesus is tension. There will always be tension concerning Calvinism amongst Christians. Who is right? Who is wrong? How could they say that? How could they not say that?
Should there be tension? Probably not. Can Calvinists and Armenians worship King Jesus together, hand in hand, and in the same pew? Absolutely! Should they? I will answer with a short and concise statement… they will one day!
Greg, this issue is raging not only in the SBC but in other denominations as well.
I’m the worship leader at an AoG church that had a reformed pastor up until 6 months ago. We just elected a new pastor about 2 weeks ago who is decidedly “un”-reformed, quite possibly anti-Calvinist…which is going to make for interesting conversations.
(I’ve always preferred Reformed to “Calvinism”…either way, Spurgeon says it’s just a nickname for “truth”)
Doug, thank you for the comment!
You are absolutely right. The issue seems to be raging across evangelicalism. I understand that it’s not enough to simply say, “Can’t we all just love Jesus and get along.” Much of ‘loving Jesus’ is knowing him through his Word and loving his actions as it applies to the church and the world.
There will always be disagreements until King Jesus thunderously returns… I only pray these many conversations can be done humbly and without much tension.