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AN ERROR AMONG CALVINISTS

by Jeffrey Hagan
2/19/2020 / Christian Living

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Introduction:

Those of you who took the time to start this article after reading the title are probably either feeling defensive on one end of the spectrum or a bit confused on the other. To be clear, the “error” I'm going to address is not an error in the Doctrines of Grace. The error, or mistake, I'm referring to has to deal with something that takes place among many Calvinists.

We are all aware that while living as a Christian, as with most things in life, if your foundation is off balance nothing else is going to have a proper chance to develop or grow. And one of the mistakes Calvinists often make is loving, pursuing, and defending Calvinism as an end in itself. When this happens a kind of subconscious redefining of one of the main responsibilities of Christianity can occur. And the responsibility I'm referring to is living out our faith as a true disciple.

Disciple Danger:

At this point a working definition of disciple seems appropriate. A disciple is a follower and student of Jesus Christ – someone who seeks him out in order to know and understand him better and reflect him more authentically to others. However, many Christians believe that learning more and more detail about the Bible, doctrine and theology is the same thing as discipleship maturity or growth. It's not. Having a rich and solid theological position is excellent and can be an effective aid or basis for the process, but like almost everything in our lives it can be turned into an idol itself. Greg Dutcher writes:

“The danger is that, while we may begin with Reformed theology [he uses Calvinism as a synonym throughout] as the framework by which we more coherently understand and appreciate our faith, over time it can become the substance of our faith. At that point, daily living is more about mastering Reformed doctrine than being mastered by Jesus and his total claim over every area of life.”(1)

You see, the line gets crossed when our concentration and passion is “more focused on mastering theology than on being mastered by Christ.”(2)

Knowledge vs Action:

There are certainly many positive things that can be said about learning and gaining knowledge. Scripture endorses knowledge and wisdom frequently. Proverbs 18:15 says, “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (ESV). In the same book (2:10) we read, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (ESV). Again in chapter 2 verse 5, “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might” (ESV). In the New Testament we find these words in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given” (ESV). 2 Peter 1:5, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge” (ESV).

However, there are also warnings in regards to knowledge as well. 1 Corinthians 8:1, “...we know that all 'all of us possess knowledge. This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up” (ESV). Ecclesiastes 1:18, “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (ESV). An in 1 Corinthians 3:18, “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (ESV).

This might bring up the question for some, “So is the Bible contradicting itself?” Well, of course the answer to that is no. However, clearly there is a balance that needs to be our goal. Our behavior and attitude are at least as important as the knowledge we obtain about God, Scripture, Christ and Theology. As Greg Dutcher puts it in one of the subheadings of a book he has authored, “Theology Should Serve Discipleship.”(3)

There is a sense in which all true disciples study and practice theology, but not all theologians are actually disciples. If knowing God's Word and having a solid grasp on theology were accurate ways of determining discipleship, then Satan himself would be the top dog of discipleship. Think about it, he knows Scripture inside and out and he's been learning theology since before humans existed. To the level that thinking theologically is disconnected from love and passion for Jesus Christ, it falls terribly short of the goal and purpose of living a Christian life (see 1 Corinthians 8:1 and 13:2).

The clearest example of discipleship we find in God's Word is the twelve who Jesus chose to follow him for three years. Mark 3:14, “he appointed twelve...so that they might be with him and he might send them out” (ESV, emphasis added). I think it's important to point out that Mark didn't focus on Jesus first training them so that they could then be sent out. Instead, he seems to emphasize the point that they were with him. “Discipleship is first and foremost about being with Christ, learning his teaching, following his footsteps, and participating in his mission are all vital elements of discipleship, but they flow from being in his presence.”(4)

I know some of you might be thinking, “Hold on a minute. The very word disciple means 'learner,'” and that's true. But it doesn't mean the type of learning done primarily in a sterile classroom or with your head buried in a theology tome. It's clear the training method implied by Christ had little to no resemblance to bible college or seminary: lectures, an incredible amount of note taking, written and oral exams, etc. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying these things are bad. I have much training from these very methods and have benefited greatly from them. What I'm trying to communicate is the goal of Jesus in training his chosen twelve was actual transformation. In Luke 6:40 we read these words from Jesus, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (ESV).

Correct training brings about a change in character because discipleship is primarily about becoming Christ-like. The biblical example of a disciple is a person who becomes less of who they are and more of who Jesus is. Jesus understanding of theology was better than anyone who has ever lived, but what truly stands out about him is the way he lived and the things he did.

Let's think about ourselves for a moment. Do you see yourself maturing in characteristics that we share with Jesus such as justice, goodness, mercy, tenderness, love? These are the things he will reproduce in those who truly come under his authority. Now the outcome is going to look different from one person to the next, but true discipleship will always bring about a more Christ-like disposition. Although important, “Jesus did not say, 'You will know them by their mastery of doctrine.'”(5)

We must ask ourselves if there might be a pattern among many Calvinists of lauding the virtues of knowledge, truth, and wisdom above every other characteristic of Jesus Christ. Right now you might be feeling a surge of defensiveness flowing through you. If that's the case pause for a moment and ask yourself why. Or if you are on the other end of the spectrum and your feeling a rush of satisfaction and smugness because of what I just said, perhaps you should pause too and ask yourself why.

CONCLUSION: OUR GOAL

A real danger within bad Calvinism, elitist Calvinism, and even how “outsiders” often perceive Calvinism, is that it can reduce a profound theological system of truth to “a set of postulates and prepositions with little or no impact on how a person lives. Jesus is not impressed with our Calvin, Edwards, or Machen when we cannot grow into people of kindness and self-control. It is simply time to grow up. We need to stop killing our Calvinism.”(6)

Not only is our election to salvation extremely good news, an added guarantee comes with it which brings about a final result: “For those who he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29, ESV, emphasis added). While encouraging the believers in Rome, Paul makes a point to connect predestination not only with salvation but with sanctification as well. John Piper makes a noteworthy statement regarding this:

“Our destiny to be like Christ is all about being prepared to see and savor

his superiority. We must have his character and likeness to know him and

see him and love him and admire him and make much of him.”(7)

As Calvinists we find ourselves very fortunate here. We know that God has elected a chosen people to himself who are promised ultimate conformity to the image of Christ, and that Jesus Christ is the only required qualification. With respect to our non-Calvinist brothers and sisters, I don't believe their doctrine allows them the same freedom, assurance and comfort in this regard.

We Calvinists know that the ultimate goal for the elect is to be made like Christ in his character. That is an incredibly profound thing to think about. Jesus, the “first-born” of many, will have brothers and sisters who will all be conformed to his image and character. Knowing we have such a powerful promise given to us, how can we keep spending so much time and energy acting as though the focus of the experience of the believer needs to be on theological and doctrinal academia? Christ expects us to be actively involved in being “with him” so that he can make us less of who we are and more of who he is. Our Calvinism should bring us to an overwhelming sense that our lives do not belong to us.

Let me conclude with one more quote from Dutcher, “We were chosen not to pursue our own agenda but his! We should be actively committed to 'work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure'”(8) (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV).

(Adapted from Dutcher, Greg. “Killing Calvinism: How To Destroy A Perfectly Good Theology,” (Adelphi, Maryland: Cruciform Press, 2012, pp.23-32)

Dutcher, Greg. Above resource, p.24
Ibid., p.24

Ibid.

Ibid., p.25

Ibid., p.26

Ibid., p.28

Ibid., p.30
Piper, John. Online sermon:, “Glorification: Conformed to Christ for the Supremacy of Christ,” Aug 11, 2002, Desiring God Ministries, www.desiringgod.org
Dutcher, p.32

Jeff Hagan is the President of True Grace Ministries and Theological Institute. Interested? www.preacherjeff45.wlxsite.com/truegracetheolgical

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