Comments on: Reformed Resurgence 4: New Calvinists

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:32:36 +0000

I know this is an older post, but…

“Calvinism is the gospel.”

I do hold to the 5-points, but I saw someone make this statment in a blog post and it floored me. In absolutely no respect is calvinism (or any other particular system of theology) the gospel. Rather, the gospel is what defines our theology. Certainly I think the 5 points agree w/ and flow from the gospel, but the 5 points are not the saving grace of God in Jesus on the cross. For my fellow reformed friends to utter statments like: Calvinism is the gospel…that needs a good rebuke…

By: Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:41:41 +0000

i agree in part, and disagree in part. i agree that baptism and other ecclesiological matters have been skimmed over by new reformed movement to a degree, and that we can’t judge the reformed based on the fruits they bear even if the emergent Church is bearing the same ones; however, i disagree that we can be united on the gospel and not united on calvinism, as bad as that sounds. the reason i say this is because in a sense arminians and calvinists are preaching a different gospel, the gospel is not the gospel without sola gratia. i am not saying this to be divisive, but i am simply stating a truth, calvinists and arminians if working together must be silent around each other in order to work together, and that cannot be. as a member of the reformed movement i am concerned about the lack of attention towards issues like baptism, but am sure that the doctrines of grace are essential to any line of communication. it is my prayer that the reformed movement will press on, but also that they will unify on all other doctrines, as a former dispensational baptist i know different the reformed mindset is, and i also know that one is not really reformed unless they are completely reformed, that means covenant theology, infant baptism, complimentary gender roles, and even a-millennialism. if i have any effect on this movement i vow to influence it to be so unified on all those issues, and not just “watered-down.”

By: Adam Winters

Adam Winters — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:55:37 +0000

These are excellent concerns for the 21st century generation of Southern Baptists.
Good job, Trevin, you are now on my linked blog roll.

By: Edward Sim

Edward Sim — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:21:38 +0000

Thought-provoking points.

Point 4, if true, is surely on the dot. However, it ought to be pointed out that the concern with such fruitfulness is probably a reaction against accusations of Calvinism being discouraging to evangelism and outreach efforts. Thus, perhaps the point is to highlight that believing in Calvinism needs not necessary lead to a dead-orthodoxy.

As for Point 1, I think that it depends on what is being preached by the speakers. Do you think that the speakers of T4G are guilty of preaching Calvinism instead of the gospel? Or rather, preaching Calvinism as the gospel as opposed to Arminianism? Furthermore, it seems to me that just as there is no un-contextualized presentation of the gospel, there is no un-theologized presentation of the gospel (if you could pardon me for the bad English). Therefore, the criticism seems to be simply about the selection of the speakers rather doubting the “togetherness” for the gospel. Apart from particularly excluding egalitarians, the “t4g” statement does not seem to be too partial to a reformed soteriology. In anyway, a critical analysis of the degree of the “togetherness” for the gospel seems to require interaction with the t4g statement and the actual content of the talks.

Amen to the attitude of humility and grace. To be imitated by all Christians, no doubt.

By: Eric Peterson

Eric Peterson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:17:15 +0000

I appreciate your post. Calvinism is fine and good, but when found preaching a theology instead of The Gospel we should take a look at ourselves in the mirror for a moment. Do we see a modern Pharisee? Our theologies should be held with much humility and gentleness. “I’m probably right but I may be wrong” is a phrase we all should use more. Openness to one another and willingness to be changed by God would lead to more love and unity that our Lord prayed that we would have.

By: Stephen Stanford

Stephen Stanford — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:41:07 +0000

Interesting post. Your points 3 and 4 are right on. With respect to 4, Colin needs to rethink that point. As regards 2 I am less worried about (Horton wants us all to become URC members and Piper isn’t perfect, but he is still cool). I disagree with you 1 point. I see the truth of election as the highest expression. I dont think that Calvinism is the Gospel in the sense that if you are not a calvinist your not a gospel believer. However, In ephesians 1 election is a cause for praising God becuase it is apart of the Good News.