The New Calvinist License To Kill: And Did God Really Condemn Christ To Hell?
This isn’t real complicated. Gospel Contemplationism, by virtue of its reductionism must necessarily be embellished or you will simply run out of material. Even for intelligent people like John Piper, the necessity to go “ever deeper and deeper” into the gospel that saved us can be a real challenge. I have predicted in the past that two things must eventually happen in this movement: “truth” will be embellished beyond the confines of being defensible, and because contemplative theologies are by nature antinomian—revelations of decadence will eventually begin to emerge.
Embellished “Truth”
The challenge is to see the gospel in every verse of the Bible. The cradle of New Calvinism, the Australian Forum, a Reformed think tank created by Robert Brinsmead, taught that the Holy Spirit only illumines Scripture in context of the gospel. The Forum also taught that the letter of Scripture itself had to be judged by the “spirit of the gospel.” The gospel is spirit, but using Scripture for instruction was to use the Bible like the Jews used the Torah. “The Spirit gives life, but the letter kills” (Robert Brinsmead, The Danger of Biblicism).
Of course, a lot of awesome things can be written and preached about justification. A now good friend of mine who sang at my wedding introduced herself to me by complaining about my continual calling out of Piper. She mentioned that she had recently read a Piper book and thought it was awesome. I’m sure it was. Justification is an awesome subject. I then challenged her to reread the book and find examples of truth that could be applied to life in the spirit of Matthew 7:24-27. She called two days later, astonished at her findings, and a friendship was born.
However, the human mind has limitations, and soon, the need to implement the imagination will arise. Hence, at the 2009 Resolved conference, John Piper and CJ Mahaney taught that Christ’s cry to the father while on the cross was “the scream of damnation.” Apparently, they got the concept from RC Sproul, who used to be rock solid, but now it would appear that senility has opened his mind to the nonsensical theological acrobatics of our day. Likewise, the same consideration might apply to John MacArthur who spoke at the conference and also sponsored it; he is getting up in years as well. I offer this as a possible excuse for both of them though the vision of my heart longs to see them as the gray-haired stalwarts of the faith that I thought they were. Here is what Sproul said:
“Once the sin of man was imputed to Him, He became the virtual incarnation of evil. The load He carried was repugnant to the Father. God is too holy to even look at iniquity. God the Father turned His back upon the Son, cursing Him to the pit of hell while on the cross. Here was the Son’s ‘descent into hell.’ Here the fury of God raged against Him. His scream was the scream of the damned. For us” (Tabletalk magazine, My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? April 1990, p. 6).
Steve Camp, on his blog, wrote a tame but thoroughly convincing argument against such a notion. But the fact that Camp thought such a significant expenditure of effort was needed is indicative of our day; surely, only ten years ago, such a thesis would have invoked a horrendous outcry among God’s people.
Contrastively, in a sickening display of affirmation by the poster child of mindless Koolaid drinking, Justin Taylor posted an email sent to Piper and Mahaney by a well known New Calvinist, praising them for this supposed new and wonderful take on the gospel. Stay tuned, more will come, including the weekly re-baptizing of Christians if it is not already going on.
Decadence
Jennifer Knapp, the Christian music artist who is a professing lesbian, recently praised Al Mohler (one of the “core four” of the New C. T4G org.) for his comments concerning “homophobia,” a term coined by non-professing liberals. My new friend Peter Lumpkins reports on it extensively on his blog: http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/ Go there and type in “homophobia” in the search engine box and several articles written by Peter on this event will appear. Jennifer Knapp is a good example of how New Covenant Theology, a tenet of New Calvinism, will work itself out in the lives of, well, “God’s people?” Note here: http://wp.me/pmd7S-x5 and here: http://wp.me/pmd7S-kP .
As I state in my upcoming book, “Another Gospel,” this doctrine is indicative of the antinomianism that will be prevalent in the last days. In fact, the antichrist is referred to several times as the “anomia one” or the “man of anomia.” Also prevalent with antinomianism is lovelessness. In speaking of the last days, Christ said that the hearts of many would be cold “because of anomia.” The heartless character of this movement is well documented; for instance, the hostile takeover of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Another example would be the excommunication of 256 members for non-attendance from a SBC church. The pastor of that church is a hero among New Calvinists for that reason, and many other NC churches followed the example. By the way, it is my understanding that the same church has closed mid-week Bible studies which smells cultish to me.
This ministry (GS Infonet) has its share of information in regard to the heartlessness of New Calvinism, especially in the way church discipline is used to control parishioners, including parishioners being brought up on discipline for not tithing. Others are disciplined for questioning doctrine while some in the same churches live together out of wedlock which apparently is a law issue and not a gospel issue. The practice of integrating church discipline with formal and informal “biblical counseling” is also a major concern. When Gospel Contemplationism doesn’t correct the sin, much to the surprise of the counselee, they find themselves under discipline for “unrepentance.” Others are counseled that they are in a mixed marriage (saved/unsaved) because one spouse holds to a synergistic view of sanctification. Truly, no amount of words could adequately describe the carnage being left behind by this movement. Lastly, it is my understanding that Soverien Grace Ministries, overseen by one of the “core four,” CJ Mahaney, has amassed an unbelievable record of pastoral abuse and decadence while being lent creditably by the who’s who of evangelical New Calvinists like Al Mohler and John MacArthur . I have been referred to Survivor’s of SGM.com, but frankly I am already drowning in this kind of information regarding New Calvinism. Apparently, such revelations forced CJ Mahaney into a “sabbatical” to deal with his mistakes while his promoters decline comment.
Bottom line: if you carry the Calvinist/Reformed label, you have a license to kill, and to rape, pillage, and steal—just don’t question doctrine or come up short on your tithe.
I saw a video trailer for the 2009 Resolved event where the damnation of Christ was proclaimed for the supposed purpose of showing mindless followers the gospel in a “deeper” way. I was aghast in regard to the mega rock star motif that dominated. That’s a whole other post—the cult of personality that is New Calvinism. For now, I will not go there, but will rather close with a poem written by the aforementioned friend who used to follow John Piper:
Enamored
Enamored is a youthful state,
Where fledgling citizens confiscate
Old ideas and make them new,
A secular taste for Holy truth.
But I reject this play of light,
And move past men with deeds that blight
And tarnish souls with sinful depth
While we proceed gravely inept
To grasp the ark when dirt is better.
Douse the illusion!
Illumine the Letter!
~Lara Moon
paul
Piper, Carson, Keller: The Only Cure For Pornography is Gospel Contemplation
This video clarifies the fact that there is a line in the sand. The church cannot continue to pretend that both philosophies will help Christians—that’s not true. Also, New Calvinists cannot continue to call the biblical prescription “legalism” unfettered and without contention. How Christians live is at stake.
I was struck by a post written by Jay Adams the other day. The idea that being filled with the Spirit is the Spirit being at work in all areas / categories of our life because one area effects another. This of course requires us to learn what the Bible instructs in regard to those areas and applying it to our lives. This is what builds a life that will withstand the storm (Matthew 7: 24-27). And furthermore, how to think, do, and pray in regard to all areas as well.
His example was a guy who has a problem with alcohol who fell off the wagon. He got into a fight with his wife and then, as a result, went to the local watering hole and got drunk with his buddies. We would not tell him to just stop drinking. His relationship with his wife, how he responds to challenges and choices (in this case: lost friends verses saved friends) all played a part in the transgression. All areas of our life contribute to how we think and what we do. This isn’t just a matter of obedience; I think alignment with God’s word in all areas of life is the way of peace and joy. Moreover, Christ promised the Holy Spirit will help us, counsel us, illuminate us, and empower us to accomplish God’s will. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us, but note who is also doing—we must do our part, and it won’t always be easy. To look at this concept as “living by a list,” “a bunch of do’s and don’ts,” “moralism,” “legalism,” or “Phariseeism” is a lie from the pit of hell and will lead to a life of misery.
In the following video, Piper, Carson, and Keller teach that the key to overcoming pornography is contemplation on the gospel. If we come to grips with how horrible our sin is and what Christ had to do about it, and what He did do about it, we will realize how much Christ loves us on the one hand, and learn to loath the sin on the other. Keller also mentions that realizing how much Christ loves us (because of the cross) will lead to us not hating ourselves which he notes as a major contributor to sin. Of course, the Bible states the opposite: a primarily source of sin comes from loving ourselves more than we love others.
Furthermore, the biblical prescription for learning to hate sin is not contemplation on the gospel, but rather investment. We learn to hate something by not investing in it, but instead investing in something else. People unwittingly learn to hate their spouses in this way. Lack of investment verses other things and a dwelling on their negative aspects only which is not truthful thinking to begin with.
Yes, after Piper advocates spiritual contemplation and Keller adds to the error by adding self esteem psycho-babble, Carson mentions accountability, but be not deceived and listen carefully—he is saying that accountability is only a temporary stopgap until gospel contemplation kicks in. In other words, practical measures as instructed by Scripture are not curative, only gospel contemplation is. In the end, they all agree that accountability lingers close to legalism, and the absolute necessity that those holding one accountable are also gospel centered.
The following video clarifies the fact that there is a line in the sand. The church cannot continue to pretend that both philosophies will help Christians—that’s not true. Also, New Calvinists cannot continue to call the biblical prescription “legalism” unfettered and without contention. How Christians live is at stake.
According to New Calvinists, You’re Not a New Creature—You’re Barabbas
New Calvinists have really good news for you; as a Christian, you are utterly wicked, unable to please God, totally depraved, and well, we are Barabbas because the New Calvinists say so. Apparently, that’s really good news. Because New Calvinists have to see the gospel in every verse of the Bible, the first video embellishes what the Bible conveys about Barabbas as stated in Naves Topical Bible: “A prisoner released by Pilate.” The video attempts to make its point with embellished information about what thoughts were going through Barabbas’ mind, how he was feeling, that he was scared, what the guards said to him, and what he supposedly knew about Christ and his followers, etc.
Question. Since the Holy Spirit was actually there, will He use such information to persuade if it isn’t true? I’m kinda thinkin’ He won’t.
The second video simply reminds us that we are Barabbas. It is said several different times by several different people in order to “speak life” into us.
My Email Response to a Wicked Antinomian Might Help Others
The apostle Paul made it clear in Galatians through His famous rhetorical question that the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is received the same way Christ is received: BY FAITH! No Holy Spirit—no salvation. Christ Himself said, “You must be born again.” We baptize in the name of the Trinity, not Christ alone.
I was emailed this morning by a “missionary” who is busy spreading the evil doctrine of New Calvinism abroad, presumably at the expense of some evangelical church in America. He considers himself a New Covenant theologian and also strongly advocates Gospel Sanctification / New Calvinism (because NCT is the covenant expression of GS). While my thoughts in regard to his email were fresh in my mind, I wanted to put them in writing because I thought it might lend clarification to others who are trying to get this problem figured out.
First his email, then my response—hope it helps.
Paul,
Do you not understand that there is a difference between saying,”the ground [or basis] of our justification is not the work of Christ in us” and saying “Regeneration is not necessary?” There is nothing in Piper’s statement that suggests he believes regeneration is not necessary. You are going to have to try harder if you are going to convince anyone who understands anything about theology at all.
Randy
Randy,
Piper clearly says it’s a false gospel if we (as in CHRISTIANS) emphasize it more than justification. But, that’s exactly what evangelicals do. That’s our contention. We believe that a born again Christian does in fact put a greater emphasis on our task at hand in sanctification than we do in regard to already being declared righteous POSITIONALLY. Therefore, our primary emphasis regarding justification is our duty to proclaim to people everywhere that they must be reconciled to God as one of our many tasks in sanctification. We do not believe that it is necessary to preach justification to ourselves as we are already justified (reconciled).
Now, behold your classic New Calvinist deception: You, and Piper constantly preach the gospel (justification) as the primary means for spiritual growth (which I contend that by this you mean more and more of Christ’s active obedience is being shown through our spiritually dead souls even though you call it “spiritual growth”). Since ALL “spiritual growth” must come by that means (supposedly), anything that is given the same emphasis will circumvent grace. No, you don’t deny the new birth, but here it is: you teach that the new birth is “moving on to something else” other than the gospel and therefore MAKING THE FRUIT THE ROOT which is works salvation by virtue of circumventing the works of Christ or the “historic Christ event” or Christ Himself.
Hence, when you wicked deceivers (Piper included) get cornered with the question, you can affirm the new birth and speak to the questioner in a condescending manner saying: “Where do you get it that we don’t think the new birth is necessary? We are merely saying that the fruit of salvation isn’t the ground of justification.” The victim then thinks to himself: “Well, that’s true, we don’t get saved and then keep ourselves justified by our own works in sanctification. Oh, I see now what they are saying [while a faint voice in the back of the questioner’s mind asked: ‘Why are they talking about that to a Christian audience to begin with? Besides, you can’t believe that and be saved anyway’].” This makes what orthodox Christians don’t believe (and the fact that it goes without saying adds to the deceptive power of it) the issue because everything is interpreted through justification. In other words, anything you do in sanctification must be seen through a justification prism. In fact, one tenet of New Covenant theology states that “all reality is interpreted through Christ and the gospel.” Therefore, there is supposedly no such thing as obedience for other reasons that are not connected to justification, but they of course don’t say that when someone is asking the question—they just let the questioner assume they are speaking of a Christ plus works gospel which doesn’t pertain to orthodox Christians to begin with. To say that New Calvinist are not honest about their interpretive prism would be an extreme understatement.
But this clearly prevents Christians from making the new birth a priority as it should be because we are already justified. But if we do make it a priority and see it as the primary means of growth, we are “eclipsing the Son (or gospel).” Yes, you believe regeneration is “necessary” because it is Christ working through us, but if we make THE FRUIT THE ROOT—you teach it is classic Roman Catholicism and therefore a false gospel (because Catholic doctrine teaches that we have to add to Christ’s works), but working in sanctification does not equal adding to justification. Orthodox evangelicals do not interpret everything through a justification prism.
But again, this is exactly what the Scriptures call Christians to do EXCEPT you (and the rest of the New Calvinist nation) employ a false interpretive criteria to make the judgment; specifically, the much employed either/or hermeneutic. Everything is either gospel, or not gospel. The new birth is true and good, but it’s not “gospel.” Therefore, anything that doesn’t have gospel/justification as its focus is not the objective gospel; it’s subjective—it might be good and “necessary,” but it is still subjective and cannot be given the same priority. To give anything equal significance in regard to the power to transform is supposedly robbing Christ of His glory and eclipsing the gospel. So, the focus of sanctification must be what? Justification/gospel—of course. That’s why I heard a New Calvinist false teacher by the name of Russ Kennedy say, “Any separation of sanctification from justification is an abomination.” That’s because (supposedly) all of sanctification must have justification as its focus.
Also, “the ground of our justification” is nebulous and other than biblical language. Yet this is another evangelical contention. To begin with, Christ alone, I repeat, Christ alone is NOT THE “ground” (basis) of our justification ALONE. Yes, faith in Christ is “the only way to the Father,” but that is not the only “basis” of our justification. The Father planned salvation, elected, and called. The Son purchased it with His own death, and the Holy Spirit effected it. The basis of our justification is Trinitarian. I repeat, the basis of justification is TRINITARIAN. The apostle Paul made it clear in Galatians through His famous rhetorical question that the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is received the same way Christ is received: BY FAITH! No Holy Spirit—no salvation. Christ Himself said, “You must be born again.” We baptize in the name of the Trinity, not Christ alone. Therefore, to say that the new birth is in no way part of our ground for justification is blatantly anti-biblical.
It’s all very confusing and deceptive, but if one carefully examines Piper’s “Gospel in 6 Minutes” video, they will see what I am saying. One way the Australian Forum framed it was, “Emphasizing the new birth is making a good thing the best thing and robs Christ of His glory.” I think my wife Susan had a good observation on that: “It could be argued that ‘glorification is the best thing.’”
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
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