Comments on: Calvinism Made Me Feel Controversial…

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:17:02 +0000

I’m wondering if this “edginess” is what is contributing to the success of Driscoll’s Mars Hill Church and Acts 29 network. I have attended a service there and listened to his sermons, and he seems to be directing his preaching to an under 30 crowd of hipsters.

By: S. Allen

S. Allen — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:17:26 +0000

Trevin,

Awesome Post man, for someone who has had to deal with this in my own life it’s an excellent point for those of us who tend to desire to be radical, rather than simply do the work of the ministry, which in doing that will cause us to be radical. I like what you said, it’s not the goal, but it’s a byproduct.

By: Buck Booker

Buck Booker — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:05:35 +0000

I had read one of his books (Turner’s) a while back and I can see how he craves the “edgy” label. I do see your point Trevin.

Unfortunately this is the sort of thing that adds fuel to the fire for those that are looking to falsely frame Reformed theology as some sort of step on the path to heresy.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:58:52 +0000

In my experience, those who are in it for the edginess do not maintain any particular set of convictions for long. A path I’ve seen several people go down is Southern Baptist to Reformed Baptist to Presbyterian to Anglican to Catholic. Some I’ve known have even gone a step further to Judaism.

By: Dosh

Dosh — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:20:05 +0000

Bob,
With all gentleness, I think you need to reread Trevin’s words: “It’s not always a matter of Calvinism. Sometimes it comes out in our worship style, our innovative church growth practices, or our dismissal of the Christian Right and embrace of social justice and environmentalism.”

Humbly I submitt that your accusation of an “Attack” is extraordinarily unfounded. This article was about the tendecy for some young evangelicals to be edgy for no other reason than to be edgy. Calvinism was just the jump off point to a discussion about motives.

Bob, an apology is due for the accusation.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:18:27 +0000

Trevin,
Excellent point. There are many of us who are drawn to that which is controversial and “edgy” just for the buzz that it brings. This is a misguided focus and bound to end up generating much more heat than light. As you pointed out, our only real focus should be humble obedience to the Lord. Let all other chips fall where they may.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:13:27 +0000

So being a Calvinist makes you controversial and “edgy”? What a conclusion you come up with, your whole argument is exactly what you claim you want to end. You “attack” a belief you disagree with to try to say don’t attack beliefs, but focus on what unifies us. Very two handed of you. I agree that we need to be unified; however it is not the Calvinist who truly understands Calvinism that is driving a wedge in the faith, but those ignorant of it and those who attack what they do not understand.

By: David Rogers

David Rogers — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:11:51 +0000

Here are some thoughts I wrote a while back along a similar vein:

http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/12/26/church-reform-and-christian-unity/

By: Chris Land

Chris Land — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:24:52 +0000

I think you are on to something here.