Paul's Passing Thoughts

Don’t get me wrong, I am just as disgusted with Arminians as I am Calvinists. The American church is an institution like Hollywood, and with these kinds of institutions, drama is needed. The lifestyles and life issues of the Hollywood elite brings in the cash as much as the movies themselves. And here is the one that gets me: because they can act, they are looked to for wisdom. During a congressional hearing in which a Hollywood actor was testifying, a lightbulb went on and one congressman asked, “What are your credentials? What makes you an expert on this subject?” The chorus of I could have had a V-8 expressions following was priceless. Likewise, today’s pastors are experts because they pay for an education on how to think the thoughts of others. We call that “orthodoxy.”

For more than 500 years now, Calvinists have picked their own detractors. Protestants still do what they do best; they control the reality and premise of the argument for their own outcomes. I was once told by an insurance executive that a cure for cancer could be found, but there was too much money in not having a complete cure. Perhaps, but let me use the same analogy with the whole disgusting Arminian/Calvinist debate: Arminians don’t want to destroy the cancer of Calvinism—there’s too much money in it.

If Calvinists give your argument press, it’s a pathetic argument—you can take that to the bank. It is at that point just more Justin Bieber controversy. Such is the case with a “new” book titled, “Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed: Black Holes, Love and a Journey in and out of Calvinism.” This isn’t a new argument, it is just another spewing of predestination creates a truckload of metaphysical confusion. This debate sends the subtle message to the world that biblical truth is not definitive, and that is not helpful. Basically, like most books of this pedigree, the equation is, that interpretation doesn’t = my definition of love so it must not = God.

Why am I so frustrated with all of this drama and the herd mentality that refuses to miss an episode? Because there is a cure for Calvinism; the theological math is definitive and irrefutable. Calvinism keeps believers under the law, it’s just that simple. Calvin’s definition of a believer is the biblical equivalent of an unregenerate person: under law versus under grace. Calvinists are delighted that all of the pushback focuses on predestination; this is by design because it keeps Christians away from the simple theological math. Why is election being debated with people who don’t even understand justification? It’s the same old song and dance. A philosophical argument is presented from the viewpoint of God’s love and justice, and Calvinists answer with a long list of Scripture verses that seem to clearly proffer predestination.

Having this argument with Calvinists is stupid. At least argue with people who hold to a saving view of justification.

paul