JP’s Mind

In an earlier post I talked about the idea of ‘calvinism vs. evangelism’.  Basically I wanted to explore the idea if Calvinism nullifies, or rejects, evangelism.  Let us start by looking at some quotes from Chad Woodburn of Master’s Flock:

Calvinism doesn’t necessarily reduce zeal for evangelism. But it is easy to see how the abuse of the Calvinistic teaching could easily drain people of any urgency and zeal for witnessing…

But, Calvinism is easily used to reduce evangelistic fervor...  There have been many young theology students who started out with a deep passion for evangelism who, when they bought into the Calvinistic beliefs (or began to misuse those teachings), lost their zeal for witnessing. They have echoed the discouraging words that were spoken to William Carey, the great pioneer missionary to India. He was told something very discouraging by a Calvinistic church leader who did not want him to go to the mission field. That leader said something like this: “Young man, when God wants to save the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine.”

One’s general theology can also produce small changes in one’s gospel message. Not only does Calvinism (or its misuse) make a difference in the level of zeal for evangelism that some people will have, but it can also make a significant difference in the message itself. For example, it is questionable whether a true Calvinist cannot honestly say to a lost person, “God loves you and wants to give you heaven as a free gift.” Instead, he has to add a footnote to that saying, “that is, if you are one of those God has already chosen to save.” Why? Because, they do not believe that God wants to give heaven as a free gift to all lost people (including the non-elect lost), just to the “elect” lost.

This snippet goes a long way to explain why there is a belief that Calvinism discourages evangelism (being a self-studied ‘calvinist’, I’ve never understood exactly why people would assert such… until now.)

Here’s the thing; apparently strict Calvinists, or Calvinist doctrine teach predestination and irresistible grace to such and extreme that the idea of spreading His Gospel seems pointless.  While I now understand that point and why those assertions are made, I cannot understand how anyone would come to this conclusion particularly since it is so contrary to everything the bible teaches us about obedience and witnessing.

We are instructed to spread the Gospel. That is simply not a suggestion, or a request, it is a command.  We are to spread the good news of Christ crucified and risen.  Regardless of what we know, or think we know about God’s soveriegnty and the idea of ‘election’.

I’ve had a conversation with myself a time or two about this; “If God has elected people to salvation, then do I need to or not need to witness?  Well of course I do!  God did not hang signs around their necks saying ‘elect’, so I have no idea who is or is not ‘elect’.  Nor do I know if it was God’s purpose for me to point the way for this individual or that individual, or not.”

There was more to that conversation, but I think you get the idea.  Ultimately, I am reminded of operations at my work.  When my company tells me that we will be doing something a certain way, or I am instructed to perform a duty, then my obligation is to do that duty, the way I am instructed, with just as much energy and enthusiasm as I should perform all of my duties.  Until my name is on the sign in the front of the building, or until my company asks me for my opinion, then my job is to embrace the direction given to me and put my whole heart into doing that job, whether I understand all the whys and wherefore’s.

In looking around for some information for this post I came across some interesting commentary regarding Calvinism and Arminiansim.  Some of the commentary I’ve seen touches on some difficulties I’ve had with calvinist doctrine, and the other as well. I’m going to do some research and try to hash out a few things regarding both doctrines and hopefully will gain some interpretive assistance from the Holy Spirit and report back to you regarding what I believe will be a biblically indestructible combination of two paradigmatically opposing doctrines.