I was a “church kid” during the 50s and 60s because my parents made me go. Kiestwood Baptist sat right around the corner. I don’t remember hearing “Arminianism” or “Calvinism” ever being brought up there but, in hindsight, I do know the former viewpoint dominated. Those terms may yet be foreign to many so, in brief, Arminians believe we choose God while Calvinists believe God chose us.
I must clarify that belonging to one camp or the other won’t keep a Christian from entering the Pearly Gates. All that matters is belonging to Christ. But Jesus did say, “Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I’ll never send away. …Now this is the will of the one who sent me – that I should not lose one person of every one He has given me, but raise them all up at the last day” (John 6:37,39).
When I started hearing about Calvinism in college it usually got a bad rap. Arminianism ruled the day. The great Billy Graham always emphasized in his sermons that now was “the hour of decision” and that everybody must voluntarily choose to accept Jesus into their heart or wind up in hell. Mom made sure I watched his televised crusades from beginning to end, even though I heard the same message in church every Sunday.
Until about a decade ago (a few years after this rebellious prodigal finally crawled back home) I wasn’t aware “Reformed Theology” existed. Then I read a book called “Perspectives – On Election”. It marked the first time I was exposed to a Calvinistic position and, while I initially rejected it out of hand, something about it intrigued me. Later on, I came across R.C. Sproul and his Ligonier Ministries associates’ videos online, and what they taught made sense.
Ever since then it seems to me Calvinism is making a significant rebound because, instead of being characterized as stodgy, hard, or clinical, it’s now more accurately recognized as nothing of the sort. Ian Hamilton opined it’s a “warm, evangelical, deeply affectional, and others-centered religion” and that “cold Calvinism is a theological oxymoron!”
Don’t worry. I’m not going to expound on Reformed doctrines. I penned a whole series of blogs about them in 2019 and they’re available on this site. Plus, you can look up YouTube videos featuring Sproul, Voddie Baucham, Alistair Begg, John MacArthur, Paul Washer, and other Protestants who boldly “tell it like it is.” They don’t withhold Biblically-sound truths. Rather, I’ll outline what Calvinists believe a Scripture-led life is supposed to look like.
It’s the kind of life that’s centered exclusively on Christ. Authentic born-again people try their best to imitate His godly countenance in every situation, conducting themselves meekly, humbly, and gently. Dane Ortlund wrote, “Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He’s the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to Him is not a pointed finger but open arms.”
It’s a lifestyle saturated with a profound concern for the eternal souls of all men and women. We can’t know whether somebody is or isn’t one of God’s chosen. We’re to display compassion for everybody, telling them about the miraculous difference our Savior can make in their life. Sadly, some “can’t handle the truth.” Jesus wept over the citizens of Jerusalem who’d rejected Him. Paul grieved over folks not believing what he preached: “I’m telling the truth in Christ (I’m not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit – I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart” (Romans 9:1-2).
The Calvinistic mindset is also acutely aware of our inherent sinful nature. However, we don’t let that fact discourage us from freely “participating in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Paul commented, “But this is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate His utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16).
A God-pleasing attitude towards fellow Christians consists of praying for, supporting, encouraging, and comforting them. Especially when they’re struggling through difficult circumstances. We’re to remind them – and ourselves – of what Peter taught: “Dear friends, don’t be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in the degree that you’ve shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when His glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
It’s also a life filled with a longing for heaven. Paul wrote, “Now if I’m to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: I feel torn between the two, because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it’s more vital for your sake that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:22-24).
John Calvin himself stated, “Wherefore, if it becomes us to live and die to the Lord, let us leave the period of our life and death at His disposal. Still, let us ardently long for death, and constantly meditate upon it, and in comparison with future immortality, let us despise life, and, on account of the bondage of sin, long to renounce it whenever it shall so please the Lord.”
I think the resurgence of Calvin’s influence in modern-day evangelical churches indicates there’s a widespread yearning among Christians to hear the honest-to-God truth being openly preached in this fallen world that’s so infested with lies. Everything Reformed ministers espouse is verified in the Bible. When folks talk about witnessing something extraordinary they claim they “can never unsee it.” That’s how I feel about mankind’s radical corruption, God’s sovereign election, Christ’s limited atonement, the Holy Spirit’s effectual grace, and the preservation of the saints. I “see” one or more of those tenets on every page of the Scriptures.
And, indeed, the truth has set me free.
Even Christians Get the Blues 