If you don’t happen to have DeYoung, Restless and Reformed on your blogroll, this is a very good post. I was trying to pick out a quote for people who want to see what the post is about or for people who don’t have time to read the whole thing, but it’s all one quotable quote and it isn’t that long of a post.
I identify with everything he says and think it’s good for those who are non-Reformed to know where some of us are really coming from. (This isn’t to say that many non-Reformed don’t hold to the same tenets.)
Why I Am a Calvinist (And a Lot of Other Christians Are, Too)
Jeff, thanks for pointing it out. I have mixed feelings about the article, positive and negative.
I wouldn’t mind hearing about it if you want to spend the time but that’s fine if you’d rather not.
Jeff
Jeff, it just came across to me as a bit of gloating and some sort of pride in being a Calvinist. Not being a Calvinist it leaves me feeling like you are less of a Christian if you don’t embrace this particular view of Christianity. I don’t think he was mean spirited or rude. Jeff you know that I respect you very much, and consider you a friend and a dear brother in Christ. I don’t have an axe to grind against any Calvinist, especially ones like you, and my buddy Michael Patton. I wish there more like you guys
I just did not buy this big resurgence in the New Calvinism as he stated, I would love to see some supporting data to validate his conclusions. According to a study done by the Barna Group, it is American Charismatic Christianity that is growing, and the majority of Charismatics are not Calvinist.
Thanks Robert. I’m going to read it again with your perspective in mind.
I did think that some people who aren’t Reformed may get the impression that he was saying that the Reformed have “cornered the market” on some of those aspects of theology that he mentioned which is why I said (This isn’t to say that many non-Reformed don’t hold to the same tenets.)
Sometimes I don’t like it when Reformed say they believe in the doctrines of grace as if others don’t. It’s not like Arminians believe in the doctrine of works without grace. What they really mean is the specific Reformed doctrines of grace.
Jeff
Jeff, I totally understand and agree with you. But you have a pretty good interaction with non-Calvinist, and you seem to really respect and appreciate the differences. Big reason why I love your blog and keep up with it. Plus you are a nice guy
The main reason I read that article was because you recommended it, otherwise I would have not even bothered.
Thanks for the heads up on the blog. It is a good blog, and I may blogroll it. I read the article you linked to, but I must say, I’m not sure I quite understand how this guy distinguishes New Calvinism from Christianity on the whole. It would seem that, based on what he is saying, every Christian is a Calvinist.
It would seem that, based on what he is saying, every Christian is a Calvinist.
Yeah I wouldn’t want people to think that those things are owned by Calvinists.
Jef
Peter, I agree some of the characteristics that he mentions seem that all Christians should have, and are not exclusive to those that hold to a Calvinist position. Good catch.
I am with Robert on this issue. Keep up the good work Jeff.
Thanks.
I think part of what he’s trying to say is that Calvinism isn’t all about TULIP or what a lot of hyper-Calvinists or caricatures represent.
Jeff