A Passing Thought: New Calvinist Treachery
I am in the middle of three significant projects regarding PPI and happily overwhelmed accordingly; the truth about New Calvinism is making some inroads. However, not much is written on this blog about one of the things that keeps this cause going; namely, letters of testimony concerning New Calvinist heavy-handed treachery and how that impacts the lives of Christians.
The movement’s overall mentality that it is a “modern reformation,” and that evangelicals have been deceived about the gospel for the past fifty years has had some very unfortunate results. It reminds me of a person I was talking with who now resents family—a psychologist who believes environment is always the blame has informed said person that repressed memories must be the problem since nothing else is apparent. Said person now believes that the “memories” are true even though they are not remembered.
In the same way, New Calvinism has caused unjust resentment in the evangelical community over the lie that we are sanctified by justification. In other words, justification is not only the foundation of spiritual growth, but ALL spiritual growth flows from justification and our primary role is to contemplate “the objective gospel.” Not only that, but sanctification by a dependent colaboring with God is a supposedly false gospel leading people to hell because it rejects sanctification by justification. And the primary culprit is evangelicalism. Why are we heaped in with the likes of Joel Osteen? Because like us, he believes that the Christian has a role in sanctification. Of course, orthodox Christians strongly disagree with Osteen about that role and what the priorities of sanctification entail.
I have seen it on many occasions, and readers constantly send emails about experiencing it themselves: the us against them mentality among New Calvinist resulting in bogus church discipline, hostile ministry takeovers, being ostracized, and overall persecution in many other ways. I personally know two individuals who took their families and fled the state of Ohio to escape persecution by a New Calvinist church. Surprised? Come now— think about it my fellow evangelical; your “false” doctrine was supposedly leading them to hell and is responsible for many of their relatives going there because they attended an evangelical church. Now you dare question their “reformation”? Better gird up your loins my friend; they will have you for lunch.
Secondly, there are also the ill results that come from living out bad theology. As Jay Adams has said: “Quietism will ruin people’s lives.” In fact, remaining under “Christocentric” teaching as opposed to expository preaching in order to remain loyal to my former church did my own life much harm. Some pastors are often amazed at the reaction they get from parishioners who are perplexed by the idea that “we can actually DO something.” This is what’s really going on behind the high-tech spiritual façade of New Calvinism.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Paul,
where are the New Calvinists being thrown out? This blog? Just kidding. Ok, anywhere else?
I haven’t found anything myself but I haven’t been searching the world over as you have. I’d sure like to be aware of some good news and how it’s being done.
I found an official Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) paper on the web: SONSHIP: AN ADEQUATE PSYCHOLOGY OF CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE?
In January, 2001 the Reverends Terry L. Johnson (Non-Sonshipper) and Stephen E. Smallman (Sonshipper) were asked to lead the PCA through an “umpired debate” of the Sonship program. The paper was submitted by Mr. Johnson.
Terry Johnson is pastoring in Savannah, Georgia and I think he did an excellent job pointing out Sonship errors. He has knowledge from years of studying tapes, lessons, and conversations. However, from the debate with Steve Smallman he said,
“First, I am encouraged, I could find very little in Steve Smallman’s article with which to disagree. The response of both Steve and the other Sonshippers to five of my six areas of concern has been denial. They say that they do not recognize in Sonship the teaching that I describe. Some have even suggested that I have constructed a “straw man” or have “misrepresented” the program. They agree that the errors I describe would be bad if they were true. But they are not true they say. This is wonderful.”
So in other words, the Sonshippers in 2001 were still given the right hand of fellowship in the PCA. I think Keller and other big names were all involved. What I’m seeing since then is that Sonship has done nothing but prosper unhindered in the PCA.
Again, where are we having some succuss at getting the New Calvinists out of the church? Thanks!
Arkansas Bill
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Bill,
I am sending my response by email.
paul
> —–Original Message—– >
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