...not Calvinism.
Sometimes, I think that I’m going insane. In the literal sense.
I am taking some time out to address a question which has been bothering me for quite some time.
Why do Reformed people always seem so vehemently opposed to other soteriologcial (salvation theology) systems? Why is it that a man of standing in the Reformed tradition feels it necessary to associate people of a different theological position with heresy?
A good friend of mine is a theologically sound Arminian. While I do not agree with his theological system, we have been able to remain friends for almost two years. We enjoy debating the various implications of each other’s theology, and often challenge each other to better understand what we believe. In recent days, he has been working through the particular way in which God seems to call his people. Having reconciled the “problem” texts to his Arminian position, he has since returned to actively pursuing his Arminian doctrine. This week, a certain prominent figure made accusations that Arminianism is heretical and just a well-disguised form of the Pelagian heresy. While I agree with the worldview from which the man is speaking, I am struck by the lack of Christian love and gentleness that he exhibits. His remarks, at a prominent conference, were harmful to the whole Christian faith. Now to the actual post.
What does someone mean when they say that “Calvinism is the Gospel”? I mean really, what are they saying?
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”
(I Corinthians 15:1-4)
While I spiritedly disagree with my friend, I am perfectly comfortable knowing that he and I believe the same Gospel. To demonstrate, I thought I should present what we agree on. This is my attempt to represent the larger points of redemptive history.
Creation:
God created this world for the purpose of Glorifying himself.
God created man, in His image, to Glorify himself.
Man was given the task to rule over the earth.
Fall:
Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
God punished their disobedience by breaking off the relationship they had to Him.
Adam and Eve are cursed by their own evil, bringing about all kinds of evil into the natural world.
Even as God is sending them out to live in the world, he promises that he will send a redeemer.
Redemption:
God made a promise to Abraham that his people would fill the earth.
God made a promise with his people to redeem them, and gave them the Ten Commandments.
God brought them into the land he had promised them.
God brought up leaders to guide his people, even as they rebelled against him.
God brought forth David as the forefather of the promised redeemer.
God used his people to demonstrate his power, authority and love.
God sent down his only son Jesus Christ to earth.
Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, a descendent of David, and inaugurated the Kingdom of God
Christ lived an exemplary life, demonstrating what it means to perfectly love others and love God.
Christ was crucified on a roman cross, paying the penalty of death for all those who believe in him.
Christ was buried in a cave outside Jerusalem.
Christ rose from the dead, declaring victory over death and sin.
Christ ascended to Heaven, and reigns over all.
God left his Holy Spirit here, to convict and guide us as we seek to work for the redemption of the world.
Christ commissioned his people, through the Apostles, to be ministers of reconciliation of Christ to the world.
Re-Creation:
Christ will return at a time of his choosing.
God will judge all those who have rebelled against him.
He will cleanse the earth
God will remake the earth into its glorious pre-fall state.
He will fulfill the Kingdom of God in the new city of Jerusalem.
This is the Gospel, that God created us to glorify him through our relationship with him. We rebelled against him and were damned. Evil entered the world and we were left with the promise of a redeemer.
God began redemption with Adam and Eve, continued it through all the history of Israel, and fulfilled his promise with the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Christ redeemed sinners at the cross, the Holy Spirit sustains us, and Christ will return to bring about the recreation of the perfect Natural order.
More thoughts later.
