Misconceptions about Calvinism

Predestination...that word evokes such emotion and it is almost entirely viewed as a word owned by those who call themselves Calvinists even though it is a biblical word. The funny thing about this word is the assumptions immediately made upon its utterance. The other funny thing is that many Calvinists would not consider this the primary doctrine on which everything else rests.

I am somewhat of an odd duck, I have attended one college where one of the proponents of open theism taught the theology classes (I had John Sanders for a few classes), later I attended Northwestern Bible in St. Paul and then I ended up in a denomination where reformed theology is pretty rare. Ironically I still ended up in the Reformed, Calvinist camp. Before you try to figure all of that out, let me say that Calvinism and Reformed theology has been given a bad rap!!

With the exception of the hyper, over the edge, lunatic fringe Calvinism does not diminish thing like evangelism and missions. Actually if you look at the history of Calvinist pastors you will find people who are passionate about evangelism and mission. Calvin and his ministry in Geneva was responsible for planting over 2,000 churches in a seven year period. Spurgeon was passionate about winning souls for Christ and wrote a book about that passion, Edwards preached the gospel and propitiation with fire, George Whitefield (his name should be enough), and currently John Piper. What is the thrust of this evangelistic passion? If God predestined why don't we sit back and share an O'douls (non-alcoholic beer)? The answer is rather simply; the glory of God.

Evangelism should never be motivated by our need to fill the pews, put down great statistics in the annual report, to show God how good we are doing, or (dare I say it) even save someones soul. Instead we should be motivate by the opportunity we have to bring Glory to God by being about God's mission. We must love God, love others, and make disciples out of reverence for the God who created us, loved use, died for us, rose from the dead for us, and now wants to work through us. Those who say Calvinists are not passionate about evangelism simply do not understand what motivates Calvinists, not do they understand what drives the theology of Calvinism. It may be simplistic to say it is God's Glory that drives Calvinism, but if you had to chose one thing, that would be it.

Calvinism is not about election, although that plays a role, it is about seeing the sovereignty of God and worshiping Him. It is about seeing the love of God and being amazed by it. It is about essentially God. It is about seeing the depravity of man against the Mercy given us by God. It is in essence about passionate love for the God that saw fit to go to the cross and satisfy the penalty of sin on behalf of those who believe.

Calvinism is more than TULIP, it is about passionate love of the God who saves!