Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul.
These are some of the notable
names throughout history that have contributed to and/or have embraced Reformed
Theology – or a “Calvinistic” view, as what it had been identified by many. These faithful men of God have come to their
doctrinal convictions, not because they have invented them out of thin air, but
because they have turned to the Scriptures, thoroughly studied them, and made
conclusions that they believed are firmly based on the Word of God and would
glorify God the most. As Charles
Spurgeon once stated, “I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are
called by nickname Calvinism, but which are surely and verily the revealed
truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus.”
Therefore, for them, “Calvinism” is just a labeling that got stuck, but
essentially, it’s simply traditional Christianity. They believe that Calvinistic doctrines are what
the Bible has been saying all along.
To imply otherwise is a seriously
unfair insult to them.
Likewise, to conclude that those
who agree with Calvinistic doctrines, like me, deem Calvinist authors and their
books to be above Christ and the Scripture is seriously unfair. Isn’t it possible that we’ve come to agree
with Calvinism, not because we think of it as superior to the Scriptures, but
because – after personally reading and meditating on the Scriptures, not
relying on our own intellect, but praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit –
we found out that it vibrates with the truth of the Gospel? Because, personally, that’s how I had come to agree with Five Points Calvinism.
The Bible is the Word of God. Thus, everything in it is the absolute truth. So as Christians, we submit to its authority. I actually don’t accept doctrines or beliefs
that won’t Scripturally hold.
So whenever I argue for Calvinism, I
do not rely on passages from John Calvin’s books. I site Scripture texts. As what Spurgeon once stated, “Defend the
Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself.” And the Bible affirms Calvinistic points easily.
My call is not for division, but
for my fellow Christians – especially my peers, the younger ones – to pursue a
more in-depth, intellectual study of the Scriptures. The Greatest Commandment goes, “Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” With
all your mind! We can show love to
God by making use of our mind at its most utmost ability. And we can do this by thinking with all our
might on what God means or intends with a certain Bible passage, corroborating
it with other Bible passages, considering the context, and not by how we subjectively
interpret it at face value.
Christians love Truth, thus, if
we profess to be Christians, we should always pursue the truth with the best we
can, that we may glorify God properly. As
Christians, there’s the need to thoroughly study the Bible (Acts 17:11,
Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:14-17) individually, and apply and celebrate its truths
in our lives. Furthermore, we are personally responsible for verifying doctrines and beliefs if they are indeed in accordance with the Scriptures. If there’s the need for discussions among us
in order to attain the truth (1 Peter 3:15-16), then let us do so – but in a
gentle, humble, well-reasoned, Christ-exalting, and Bible-centered
manner. Most importantly, we should not obnoxiously
rely on our own strength and mind during this process; on the contrary, we
should humbly turn to the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom and understanding. And whatever He reveals to us – especially if
we are proven wrong – we should submissively “Amen” on it.
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