A Perverted Reform

A Perverted Reform

Calvinism has a very long and illustrious history.  John Calvin was a major proponent, champion, and pioneer in the Reformation, even though aspects of his theology split from Luther and Zwingli.  Calvinism, masquerading as “reformed theology,” is fundamentally the same today, barring one major caveat: malignant proselytization.   Oh, its not directed at non-believers, no; it is directed at congregations outside the reformed theology paradigm.  Men like John McArthur, Voddie Baucham, John Piper, Tim Keller, Paul David Tripp, and everyone associated with The Gospel Coalition (TGC), are not satisfied with their isolation of homogeneity, rather, they supplement their practices with the rejection of Protestantism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, and the like.

Self-appointed Apotheoses

It is this pretentious piety of ostracizing the alternative Christian world and condemning the proverbial foreigners of evangelicalism, that is both absurd and detrimental.  Columnist Jonathon Merritt (2014) of Religion News Service writes, “To be sure, neo-Calvinists don’t shy away from controversy and aren’t reticent to critique those outside of the movement.” I recently watched a video with Pastor Voddie Baucham responding to a question regarding race, Pentacostalism, and Reformed Theology (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dEYNYzolss).  The question addressed how a black man could help his fellow black brothers and sisters move from the emotionalism of the Pentecostal denomination to Reformed theology (Calvinism).  Baucham, in response, stated that he “wanted to move everyone from Pentecostalism to reformed theology.” There was no attempt to appeal to anything positive about the Pentecostal denomination; there was no grace.  It was stated as a blunt fact, as if to say, those on the fringe of Calvinism are lost and need to be rescued by Calvinism.  This is the narcissistic self-promotion of Calvinism that needlessly creates division and alienates struggling Christians.

In October 2014 Mark Driscoll was removed from his pastoral position for a flurry of accusations, yet, while Driscoll’s life was scrutinized the association of churches under the Reformed conglomerate (his association) remained largely quiet— seemingly in passive support.[1] Whether Driscoll’s past sins are egregious or benign is irrelevant because what is important to see, is that, the allegiance of Reformed pastors remained silent in its criticisms.  It appeared to be tacit loyalty. Merritt exposing this brand of tribalism states, “Even those who were brave enough to critique Driscoll were mostly moderate. And several Calvinists told me off-the-record that many who offered full-throated criticisms of Driscoll—like Carl Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary—have been relegated to the margins as a result” (Merritt, 2014). Is it

 A Tweeter’s Cove

I do not want to turn this blog into a combative rebut of anything I dislike or disapprove of, nor turn it into a verbal and opinionated assault on…anything for that matter—this is not twitter.  There are so any things about Christianity in general, from far right to far left, that seems inherently destructive.  Liberal and progressive Christians make equal mistakes with equal ferocity of impugnment; and, since I spent more than 20 years in the fundamental evangelical church, I am familiar with the rhetoric.  My friend and I were discussing an article regarding the improprieties of TGC and he said something interesting, “Sometimes these entities are self-contained and seek to self-exist in their self-promotion” –like living in a bubble.  The strident conceit of the neo-Calvinism is wrong, icky, and irritating, primarily the shame-basing of charismatic or non-Calvinist denominations.  TGC, Reformed Theology, and neo-Calvinism publicize their traditions and doctrines with a wink and a nod; a tongue-in-cheek sophistry that espouses an inclusive reasoning but ultimately asserts dogma.

 

Apprehensive Diplomacy

This is not to say that the reformed theology of Calvinism has offered nothing constructive or benefited many people, because it has.  Clearly many people have been converted to new life, through the power of the cross, by way of lucid and strong Biblical truth found in the new Reformed theology.  That’s awesome, but their penchant for distorting and assailing Christian denominations undermines aspects of the good they have done.  No church, organization, or religious entity is perfect, nor do they claim to be, but there needs to be more unity and internal camaraderie.  We should use our platform for good, to fight evil, and promote truth rather than causing division on, what I perceive to be, tenets of open-handed peripherals.  Is the height of our Christian liberty making delineations over who thinks the gifts of the spirit exist today or not, whether women should teach men, or the proper exegesis of Romans 9?  Are any of these issues worth creating division over?

 

 

[1] There is no monolithic corporation, nor association, that is a collective of Reformed Calvinist churches.  However, TGC is as close as is gets.  They self-identify as Reformed Evangelical but promote Calvinistic doctrine; Evangelical is used as a ubiquitous term.  Driscoll was featured on many TGC videos, but since he was fired and has moved on, he no longer is featured.

Resources

Merrit, J. (2016). On Faith and Culture, Religion News Service. The gospel coalition and how (not) to engage the culture. https://religionnews.com/2016/06/06/the-gospel-coalition-and-how-not-to-engage-culture/ (Accessed 29 January, 2018).

Merrit, J. (2016). On Faith and Culture, Religion News Service. The troubling trends in americas ‘calvinist revival.’ https://religionnews.com/2014/05/20/troubling-trends-americas-calvinist-revival/ (Accessed 29 Janaury, 2018).