I wish we didn’t need that term!But sad, though understandable, we do.
In recent years, with the resurgence of reformed theology, especially among young adults, the term has arisen for good reasons. Sometimes it may seem that the safest thing to do with a new Calvinist is to lock him in a cage for a few months (perhaps even a few years), until his spiritual maturity reaches his new theology.
- The doctrines of grace are explosive first.
- They envelop the mind.
- And then.
- If they really take root.
- They inevitably transform life; when they reach a young and restless person.
- They can trigger some kind of trend for a season (although several Mental approval of Bible teachings about our depravity and choice of God.
- Atonement and grace is faster and easier than learning to live the kind of virtues God unies with these precious truths.
- Knock down a tree and plant a new one in a few hours.
- But you can’t grow the fruit overnight.
Those of us who take very seriously what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty, prescience, and predestination will take very seriously the kind of spiritual life and fruit that will accompany that knowledge. As beloved pastor and composer John Newton observed (1725–1807): “Calvinists must be the sweetest and most patient of all men. “
In addition to the great truth of 2 Timothy 2:24-26, which declares that God is the one who grants repentance, there is the call to his servants to be good, patient, and good. Similarly, in Colosss us 3:12, did you learn? – as God’s chosen one – that he chose you before you chose him?Amen, wonderful. Also learn “You will have affections of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long life”.
Perhaps we could use a second TULIP with the first, could this encourage young Calvinists?And all of us? The kind of spiritual virtues that should accompany the biblical theology of total depravity, unconditional choice, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of Saints?
“Does God resist the proud, but give grace to the humble?(James 4. 6; 1 Peter 5. 5).
Both James and Peter quote the words of Proverbs 3. 34. One of the great themes of the Bible is that God, in His Majesty, not only visits, but exalts the humble (Luke 1. 48, 52; 14. 11; 18, 14; James 4. 10; 1 Peter 5. 6). Such is his particular glory, which in a sense humbles himself to help the humble; is the heart and essence of Calvinism. One of the great ironies of inner sin is that learning the absolute sovereignty of God can somehow become arrogant.
Who is great in the kingdom of God? Those who humbled themselves as children (Matthew 18. 4). God Himself, in human flesh, entered Jerusalem not as a mighty horse, but as a humble king, in an ass (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5). Philippians 2. 8-9 said: He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death and death on the cross. Why did God overeat him? If we take the Bible seriously, what makes us Calvinists, how can we not consider ourselves superior to it?”(Philippians 2. 3 )?
“The humiliating theology of Calvinism,” Newton writes, “is undermined by bitter, angry, and derogatory words. “Then he asks strongly, “Did his Calvinism humiliate him?”
“On the contrary, be kind to one another, good, compassionate, forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32).
Goodness may seem small in modern eyes, but it is by no means small in God’s economy. The text characterizes Christian behavior as manifestly kind (2 Corinthians 6. 6; Colossses 3. 12; Titus 2. 5). Recognized leaders in the church should be “soft on everyone?”(Timothy 2:24), as all Christians should be (Ephesians 4. 32). Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Love is good (1 Corinthians 13:4).
And when God, who rules every square inch of the universe, instructs us to cultivate goodness, it leads us to become his greatest reflectors. Is Heavenly Father, Jesus said, good even for the ungrateful and the wicked?(Luke 6. 35). In his goodness, “do you raise your sun upon bad and good and rain upon righteous and unjust?”(Matthew 5. 45). Such goodness even grafts, by faith, strangers into his old tree of blessing (Romans 11:22).
Since we are saved by the goodness of God (Titus 3. 4), and without an eternity do we enjoy the supreme richness of His grace, in goodness to us?(Ephesians 2. 7), we are free to extend His goodness to the lives of others. Not Calvinist? It’s a contradiction in terms. Calvinists must be the kindest of them all.
“Now the Lord’s servant must not live to fight, but must be kind to all, gently discipline those who oppose?”(2 Timothy 2: 24-25).
Don’t fall for the “four dots” error. Yes, Calvinists can be critical, it’s good to be insightful and pay attention to detail, but a critical eye doesn’t require a pendens mind. The Apostle Paul said of Church leaders, “Now the Lord’s servant must not live to fight, but be kind to all, able to teach, patiently, discipline those who oppose gently” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Of course, there is an important place for the Christian to rebuke (Luke 17. 3; 1 Timothy 5. 20; Titus 1. 9. 13; 2. 15) and?Correct? Gently? Especially for shepherds:?Preach the word, exhort, whether it is appropriate or not, right, to rebuke, to exhort with all patience and doctrine?(2 Timothy 4. 2). Paul exhorts his converts not as slaves but as beloved sons (1 Corinthians 4:14), even with tears (Acts 20:31), and expects the elders of the local church to do the same (1 Thessaloniki 5:12, 14). And there is a place for every Christian, in love, to correct himself gracefully, to educate himself, and to rebuke himself wisely (Colossians 3:16). “Is all Scripture inspired by God and useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and educating justice?(2 Timothy 3. 16).
But our critic has a limited place. And the goal is always to build, not destroy (2 Corinthians 13:10). Please keep a critical and attentive eye. And have the courage and goodness to offer with humility and love a corrective word, but its correctness is limited.
? Is your word always nice? (Colosssenses 4. 6)
This is perhaps the most important word for a young Calvinist: “Your word is always pleasant. “It’s remarkable. Even when correcting mistakes, even when officially approved leaders fight serious deception, there is a way to keep our words alive.
Humbly informing people of your mistake and protecting others is not only elegant. As we speak, it can be elegant or inelegant. And what a tragedy when a new Calvinist, in the name of our glorious “doctrines of grace,” speaks with disdain to. Shouldn’t those with the highest view of God’s grace be very careful to make our speech palatable?
Did people marvel at the words of grace that came out of their lips?(Luke 4. 22). Let us pray that others may see in us, as you have seen, the fulfillment of Psalm 45,2: “grace has been poured upon your lips. “
How different would our debates be about the five points of Calvinism if we decided to speak gracefully?After all, Paul’s goal of an elegant speech is: “Do you know how to respond to each one?”(Colosssenses 4. 6).
? Be patient with everyone? (1 Thessalonica 5. 14)
What did Paul hold first about love in 1 Corinthians 13?(1 Corinthians 13,4). He regarded patience as one of the characteristics of his ministry (2 Corinthians 6. 6; 12. 12; 2 Timothy 3. 10). Be patient?This is one of your repeated exhortations to church leaders (1 Thessalonians 5. 14; 2 Timothy 2. 24; 4. 2). And not only patiently, but as recommended by Timothy 4. 2 “With all patience”.
As our theology becomes increasingly God-centered, our lives must become more and more patient. God Himself is the great model of patience (Romans 2. 4; 9. 22; 1 Peter 3. 20; 2 Peter 3. 15), and His Son, the Man-God?Look? What is our example of “long total suffering”?(1 Timothy 1. 16).
It is a great shame when good theology acquires a bad reputation for misconduct; However, to the extent that we have failed, we can believe that the sovereign God we trust is working on us (Philippians 1. 6; 2. 13) by the power of His sovereign Spirit. With him in sight, Paul prays that we may be strengthened from all power, according to the strength of his glory, in all perseverance and longevity; joyfully?(Colosssenses 1. 11). That’s the kind of patience we need, we can grit our teeth and hold on without joy and not beat anyone, or we can take it with contagious joy and rejoice with those who still don’t see things the way we think.
We will both believe in divine sovereignty and human sweetness, as well as believing that our sovereign God, in his good and perfect time, will be shown to those who disagree (Philippians 3:15). Maybe we can even have a role to play. , thanks to our kindness.