My Beef with Calvinists
I have a beef with Calvinists.
First of all before you get ready to send my an email with your fists flying, let me remind you that I am one (cf. the url). This means that I have theological license to throw elbows and pound the speed bag.
My beef centers on the fundamental contradiction that is unveiled in many of the arguments and attitudes communicated by those ‘in the camp’. I have seen and heard some of the most condescending, unkind, and ungracious tones in communicating with or about those who do not agree with us. And sometimes if you get a few of us together, talking theology, the sniper rifles come out and we are soon enjoying open season on liberals, Arminians, Emergents and various and sundry freaks in the American Christian movement.
Now, as a good Calvinist let me first qualify this. I don’t think it is wrong to point out error, especially within the umbrella of Christianity. In fact it is biblical (1 Tim. 4.1-8). However, it is the aura of self-righteousness that accompanies these jabs that is troublesome. We think, talk and act like they are so stupid. We filet folks who do not believe in the universal depravity of mankind.
We say things like, “Humanity is spiritually dead. We can do nothing to arouse our affections for God. God must impart truth to the mind of the dead man. God must illumine the soul of the one whom he has regenerated.”
And we say these things (which are true) with a condescension that undermines it.
Friends, just think about what you have just said. You have admitted that there is not one drop of true spiritual knowledge that you have that has come as a result of your own flesh or the flesh of another, but rather as a supernatural invasion of grace and mercy. God has kindly taught you things that you would not otherwise know.
And you say “Amen.” But you punch the guy with jacked up theology in the eye because he is…“stupid”?
Does anyone see this to be a problem?
Paul’s words could be cited here: “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor. 4.7)
It must be the product of our flesh that the most God-exalting, pride-smashing theology in all of the world has become a means of self-promotion, ego-stroking, pride.
Pastors, do you not realize that if God were not kind to you, that you would probably not even be in the ministry? And if you were you would probably be performing civil unions for homosexuals?
The only reason why we give a flip about biblical truth is because God has sparked a love for truth in our souls. Forbid it that we then hijack truth and use it for ourselves and our glory rather than God and his.
It is good to point out error. But it is to be done with gospel-centered humility not self-centered pride. As Calvinists we must never separate theological truth as if it is something that we have come up with, discovered, or codified. God has revealed it. It is his compassion that has showed it to you, that continues to show it to you as you grow, and will continue to show it to you as you continue to grow.
During his earthly ministry Jesus lived with compassion that was informed by human depravity and motivated by grace. It is about time that we start looking through the eyes of the one to whom we cling for righteousness to view how he looked at people, grace and truth. If there was ever a one who had the right to just throw up his hands and call people idiots, it was him. But he never did. He did stuff like this:
“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34
</rant>
Possibly Related posts:
- Smiling Upon Sovereign Grace
- Jesus Wept Over the City [Passion Week Devotions]
- memo to self: God loves you in Christ
- When Should People Leave their Church?
- How to live a miserable Christian life (part iii)
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John Newton once wrote, “I readily believe that the leading points of Arminianism spring from and are nourished by the pride of the human heart; but I should be glad if the reverse were always true; and that to embrace what are called the Calvinistic doctrines was an infallible token of a humble mind.” Indeed, I think it is as easy to err on the side of legalism and spiritual pride as it is self-indulgence and paganism, just as we are warned not to turn aside from the law of the Lord either to the right or to the left (Deut. 5:32, etc.). I need to be reminded of this frequently, in which I am greatly served by a letter from John Newton from which the above quote is taken. It’s popularly called A Guide to Godly Disputation (PDF), written to a friend intending to write an article criticizing another minister’s lack of orthodoxy. One would be hard-pressed to find a warmer example of Calvinism applied–an example of that balance of grace and truth of which our Savior was so full (John 1:14). He presents several considerations “to preserve you from such wounds as might give you cause of weeping over your conquests”, for we aim not to win arguments alone, but “speaking the truth in love… to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:15). I wish every Calvinist would read it.
Amen bro.
I think a good remedy is more focus on Jesus Himself revealed in the Gospels, than a strictly didactic regiment of doctrinal preaching. Calvinists love preaching through Romans, but how about tackling some of Jesus parables or his interactions with the first century world?
Wow. Its amazing at how blind we (I) often are to our hypocrisy.
“The only reason why we give a flip about biblical truth is because God has sparked a love for truth in our souls. Forbid it that we then hijack truth and use it for ourselves and our glory rather than God and his. ”
How easy it is to take the beautiful doctrine that was used to begin the process of smashing my spiritual pride and then turn around and use it to reinforce my spiritual pride so it is as strong as before.
“I have seen and heard some of the most condescending, unkind, and ungracious tones in communicating with or about those who do not agree with us. And sometimes if you get a few of us together, talking theology, the sniper rifles come out and we are soon enjoying open season”
There will always be some people in every denomination or under any doctrinal influence that will make the rest of the people in that group look bad. It’s not a problem unique to Calvinism.
I think the proverb goes something like this:
“Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll end up thinking he was born with money in his pockets.”
It’s ironic that Calvinism, which stresses the need for the alien righteousness of Christ, sees so many of its adherents act as though their righteousness were their own. I for one always have to remind myself that I have nothing that has not been given to me, and that unless a man possesses the whole counsel of God, he holds beliefs which are rationally incompatible with the Truth.
I also have to continually remind myself to respond to others as though it was myself that was in need of correction. Sometimes this means that I just keep my mouth shut and let things go.
It is said of Jesus that He never quenched a smocking wick, nor crushed a broken reed. We ought to handle others the same way, especially when the Truth is on the line.
I have been guilty of this. Thank you for your encouragement. Several things help me to remind myself of the perspective you encourage. It helps to remember where I once was theologically on an issue when the shoe fits and how I was brought into line in love. It also helps to consider an author/leader/preacher that differs from me on a subject but that I still respect as a Christian and consider how I might respond to them. Last, it helps to remember that what someone understands something like “Calvinism” to be may be very different than what I expect. In discussions, it seems much better to walk through the scriptures that form your convictions rather than pounding away using labels and one liners.
It boggles my mind that the Calvinists I have known are among the most doctrinally pure and upright I have known, and yet struggle the most with attitude problems and relationships with other Christians. It is the error of Satan that provokes in our hearts a separation between doctrine and life. James makes it very clear that what we say we believe and how we live life both matter. I am still a Reformed Baptist in nearly every way, but we left because we want to be right but we have no desire to be arrogant. Humble Calvinism anyone? And that leads me to ask, how can you be a Calvinist and not be the most humbled Christian alive?
I’ve long thought the main problem with Calvinism is Calvinists. The circle I run with, including myself, think that we are above the Arminians in some way or another and if they would just use their brains for once, they would see the light. Thank you for the reminder. But just like Whitfield always said… “We are all born Arminians, it is grace that turns us into Calvinists”. So we should actually show that grace every now and then.
This is one of the best blog posts I’ve ever read. Amen.
So this is like the millionth blog post about the arrogance of Calvinists. One wouldn’t think that other Christian circles have a problem with it.
Actually, I think it’s hyperbole. I’ve seen good debates between Calvinists and Arminians and usually when the Calvinist gives better arguments than the Arminian, the Arminian resorts to personal attacks, like calling them arrogant and not being humble enough. It’s classic ad-hominem abusive.
Whatever happened to the good ol’ days when Christians weren’t looked down upon for speaking the truth with authority? In today’s world, a Christian’s convictions are discredited as soon as he even starts to speak the truth with some authority, conviction, or compassion.
Charles Spurgeon once said that there is no gospel apart from Calvinism. So we better be bold about it. If others misinterpret that boldness for arrogance that is their sin for judging me, not mine.
Arrogance is a human problem, not just a Calvinist problem. However, there is a reality here as attested by so much notice. The real issue isn’t Calvinism at all, it is people who take doctrine and theology seriously. The reason many professing Christians are not theologically arrogant is because they are theologically apathetic or ignorant.
In question is not certitude, but arrogance. I can’t speak for anyone else’s personal experience, but I am a Calvinist and I can say my experience has been that too many Calvinists think their church is the only godly one in town. There is always the off chance they are right, but I have led my family away from a stance of arrogance toward other Christians. The primary question is if you think Christians are not Calvinists because they are against the truth, or because they lack solid biblical teaching. I assume the latter, and sometimes the former becomes obvious.
“I am still a Reformed Baptist in nearly every way, but we left because we want to be right but we have no desire to be arrogant.”
Wymer, I’m sure the new church you attend is perfect.
Great post Erik. I appreciate your willingness to center the discussion on orthodoxy and orthopraxy in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I think the point of your blog entry was missed.
Blogs can be like church business meetings…
It can create the atmosphere for people to let loose of their tongue, when they wouldn’t think about speaking in the same manner in a conversation with another.
(or should I say blog comments are like business meetings)
Look forward to seeing you at OBC conference (bringing family).
Erik, I hope you don’t get me wrong. I like this blog. This just wasn’t one of your better posts. I must be one of the few who believe it’s possible to not miss the point of this post and still not like it. Consider that constructive criticism instead of an insult or me letting loose of my tongue.
And contrary to what some people who don’t even know me might think, I would totally tell you this in person.
Look forward to seeing you in Heaven (bringing family).
Piper has got a short, relevant comment here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTitle/2765_Why_are_Calvinists_so_negative/
D.A.,
I’m not sure what I said that made that impression on you. One of the things I like about my church is that it is not perfect.
Thank you for the post, Eric. Sadly, what you say is true. While reading it, I was reminded of Eph. 4:15. Very convicting! We have the truth, but we are clearly admonished to speak the truth in love. How sad that others can be driven from the truth because of our spiritual pride.
Andrew, I agree with your Whitfield quote. “But just like Whitfield always said… “We are all born Arminians, it is grace that turns us into Calvinists”.” There was a time I thought my salvation was a result of what I had done, but as God grew me in grace, He grew me in understanding. I have to remind myself that it is by His grace that I stand.
I appreciate this post. I am in a Baptist church and have been my whole life. I see this thinking among those in my church, too. I do think it is a human problem.
My father, who has studied the Bible extensively and lives what he says, has yet to see all that Calvinism teaches. My father lives grace and his relationship with God is so evident. Nothing bothers me more than to see men like him who have spent years studying the Bible but yet still take issue with some doctrine of Calvinism treated as if they just haven’t grown up yet spiritually. Nothing can be farther from the truth. I have been in more than one Calvinism/ Arminiasm conversation and they never resolve- it just almost becomes a shouting match. We all believe we are saved by grace alone and that nothing in ourselves merited that grace. Why can’t we concentrate on that.
I do think as humans we tend to want to prove our point rather than bring glory to God.
It seems to me as a Calvinist that a Calvinist wouldn’t need to “win” every theological disagreement, or even turn every theological difference into a battle, because a) God is going to win in the Day of the Lord, b) those predestined to understand inexorably will, and c) Scripture should be fought for and explained, but ultimately it is the unleashed Word made powerful by the Holy Spirit that changes minds.
As one who for many years wandered in Arminian circles, born again though hungering for holiness and sanctification that made a difference in my life, and more and more wondering what was missing and why (like the truth!), God led me to a reformed church and the truth in the Word of God that is defined in TULIP…my husband and I too marveling at what was there all the time…often they were the “troubling” passages from my former days…
However, I have noticed what I see as a pattern of not only arrogance and pride (to the point of excusing backbiting and unkind remarks) and partiality toward those who have been “reformed” for many, many years and a condescending attitude toward those of us who have only recently come to this particular truth…it is as though we couldn’t possibly know anything, really, since we weren’t in the reformed fold, even though Christians for many years.
I appreciate the confirmation that this is likely not just some figment of my imagination but God’s grace in helping me see this so that I can, first of all, make it a matter of some urgency for God to reinforce in my heart and mind how ugly this is and to guard against this in my own dealings with people, and to also pray for the opportunity to humbly bring it to the attention of the leaders. I hear it over and over that, “The churches never get very big.” Could be there are some identifiable reasons why that is, but instead of looking for those reasons there seems to be a tinge of pride associated with this pronouncement…as though we are somehow “elite” and “special,” a cut above the average Christian. Seems to me that it is something we should be repenting of not boasting about.
God forgive me and us!
Thank you for your post. I am a pastor who is “Calvinistic” yet, struggling with Calvinism. In over 35 years of ministry, along with the pursuit of a theological education (Bible College/Seminary – into the Doctoral level), I still wrestle with the issue. The more I study, the more I find myself struggling to get my head around Calvinism. I also find that I was far more dogmatically Calvinistic before I spent years trying to understand what all that entailed. Unfortunately, I have seen and experienced personally the anger, arrogance, and negative results of the ongoing debate to defend Calvinism as the only reasonable approach to understanding theology in all its expressions. It seems that most of the “Big Guns,” as it were, among the evangelical headliners these days are strong Calvinists. I admire many of them and appreciate their exegetical work. I have an extensive library of such writers. They are the heroes of many seminarians today who aspire to emulate them.
I am saddened to say, however, that I am a Calvinist who doesn’t like Calvinism! I’m sure my Sovereign Grace brethren would quickly say that I cannot, therefore, be a true Calvinist. Perhaps. I just wish those of my fellow believers in Christ who hold to the rigid doctrines of Calvinism would be consistent to follow its points to their logical ends. For instance, it is too convenient to say that God is absolutely sovereign (sovereign over all things in every detail, down to the very thoughts and intents of the heart) yet, somehow not responsible. It’s the same argument that says all are sinners, some sinners are chosen (elect), all sinners are responsible. That is, those to whom God does not grant the gift of faith are yet responsible for not believing. No one can believe apart from God’s imparting of faith to believe. Naturally, the Romans 9 defense is often held up at this point. I’ll be branded as a heretic for saying it, but, I’ve often felt like Paul is saying, in so many words, “God does what He wants, like it or lump it!” I suppose to some extent, albeit crass, that is what he is saying. I can’t argue with the fact that God does, indeed, save (and only save) whom He will. I just find it rather disheartening. Here again, my sovereign grace brothers take issue with me. I recall a rather “energetic” discussion years ago in a seminary class. I was quite the Sovereign Grace advocate at the time. During the discussion, my professor (an evangelistic missionary)was asked whether he could tell someone, anyone he encountered on the street, that God loved them and that Jesus died for them. After several unsuccessful attempts to get a simple “yes” or “no” response, one of my classmates, an “enthusiastic Calvinist,” asserted that should God chose not to save his children, “Praise God anyway!” I remember how that ran over me like an ice shower. That was one of several points in time when I began to reconsider what I had for so long believed without questioning. Recently I listened to a John Piper sermon in which he said the same thing in so many words. I can at least respect Piper for being consistent with the ramifications of Calvinism’s Unconditional Election and Limited Atonement. So far, (besides my classmate!) he is the only Calvinist I’ve ever heard who is willing to go this far adn admit that yes, God does send people to hell…
As I said, I rather reluctantly hold to the doctrinal points of Calvinism. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life trying to find a way around them, or, just come to terms with it all and say, “Praise God anyway!”