I read an interesting article about what are called “Reformed Baptist” churches. Those are Baptist
churches who embrace Calvinism or “reformed theology”. As they preach and teach Calvinism, they
publicly tout their theology. There church sign, website, and printed material will tell you they are
Reformed Baptists. I looked them up online and discovered that in the Alabama association of
Reformed Baptist churches there are 38 member churches. That’s not a lot.
I do not adhere to the Calvinistic doctrines. I believe them to present an un-Biblical picture of God’s
character and purpose. I won’t go into all five portions of the Calvinistic doctrine as it would take up far
more space that I have. But I will mention two: “unconditional election” and “limited atonement”. That
simply means that Christ only died for people God elected, or chose to be saved. That’s right…God
created some people to be lost. They were born lost, they will stay lost and they will spend eternity in
hell. There is nothing they can do about it. God doesn’t love the entire world, just those of the world
that he chose before creating them.
Calvinism does away with “free will”. Everything that happens, happens because God declares it to
happen. There is no choice on our part and no coincidences. If someone gets cancer, that’s part of God
plan. If someone gets rich, that’s part of God’s plan. If someone robs and beats up a Christian, that’s
God’s plan. All of this preordained before we were born. What that means is that God, Himself, is the
cause of our suffering and pain. I’m sorry, I don’t see that in His word.
But here is a scary thought: The largest Southern Baptist Seminary is teaching Calvinistic doctrine! Many
of the pastors that are trained there do not reveal that they were versed in Reformed Theology,
Calvinism. If asked, I’m sure they would say so, but they don’t exactly promote that fact on their
resume.
When I look someone in the eye I will say “God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. He
wants you to be saved”. If I was Calvinistic, I’d have to say “God may love you and may not. I don’t
know. But give it some thought. And I truly hope you are one of His chosen”.
Say good things about your Savior and about His church on the bluff.
churches who embrace Calvinism or “reformed theology”. As they preach and teach Calvinism, they
publicly tout their theology. There church sign, website, and printed material will tell you they are
Reformed Baptists. I looked them up online and discovered that in the Alabama association of
Reformed Baptist churches there are 38 member churches. That’s not a lot.
I do not adhere to the Calvinistic doctrines. I believe them to present an un-Biblical picture of God’s
character and purpose. I won’t go into all five portions of the Calvinistic doctrine as it would take up far
more space that I have. But I will mention two: “unconditional election” and “limited atonement”. That
simply means that Christ only died for people God elected, or chose to be saved. That’s right…God
created some people to be lost. They were born lost, they will stay lost and they will spend eternity in
hell. There is nothing they can do about it. God doesn’t love the entire world, just those of the world
that he chose before creating them.
Calvinism does away with “free will”. Everything that happens, happens because God declares it to
happen. There is no choice on our part and no coincidences. If someone gets cancer, that’s part of God
plan. If someone gets rich, that’s part of God’s plan. If someone robs and beats up a Christian, that’s
God’s plan. All of this preordained before we were born. What that means is that God, Himself, is the
cause of our suffering and pain. I’m sorry, I don’t see that in His word.
But here is a scary thought: The largest Southern Baptist Seminary is teaching Calvinistic doctrine! Many
of the pastors that are trained there do not reveal that they were versed in Reformed Theology,
Calvinism. If asked, I’m sure they would say so, but they don’t exactly promote that fact on their
resume.
When I look someone in the eye I will say “God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. He
wants you to be saved”. If I was Calvinistic, I’d have to say “God may love you and may not. I don’t
know. But give it some thought. And I truly hope you are one of His chosen”.
Say good things about your Savior and about His church on the bluff.