Leaving Calvinism's Parking Lot
Reformed Theology Clarified and Defended
My Introduction
A friend recently shared a letter entitled, "Why I Left Reformed Theology.” Rather than just a critique, I wanted to use the opportunity to challenge common misconceptions about Reformed Theology and Calvinism. The brother who wrote it, who will remain anonymous, doesn’t seem to understand either, let alone the differences between the two. One can’t leave that which one hasn’t arrived to. Regardless of your doctrinal commitments, my hope is that you’ll find this to be both a respectful critique, and, be led to a more appreciative understanding of biblical Calvinism.
I’m focusing exclusively on his introduction, which I feel represents his overall position accurately, however, I suggest reading the entirety on my friend Jennifer’s Facebook. I also recommend subscribing to Jennifer’s Substack — she writes amazing articles on early church history, among other topics.
The Full text of His Introduction
It's no secret that at one time in my ministry, I started leaning towards Reformed Theology. I never followed John Calvin or desired to be called a Calvinist. I honestly always struggled with some of the doctrine of the reformers but I was drawn to Calvinistic teaching because it made much of God's Sovereignty. Great heroes like Spurgeon, Whitfield and Owen leaned that way. Some of my close friends leaned that way as well. Here's the thing, Calvinist are great recruiters. One pastor even had me convinced that I had believed their doctrine all a long. Calvinism is contagious and appeals to the intellect. It will catch you if you're not careful.
Defining Terms
To avoid confusion, let’s define some terms.
Calvinism: Often refers to Reformed Soteriology, the theological study of salvation.
Doctrines of Grace: Core doctrines represented by the acrostic TULIP which are central to Calvinism, an often synonymous with it.
Reformed Theology: A broader term encompassing more than soteriology.
It’s not uncommon to refer to all Reformed Christians as “Calvinists,” but it is inaccurate to refer to all Calvinists as Reformed. All Reformed Christians are Calvinists, but not all Calvinists are Reformed. Our Brother confuses this distinction from the start.
His “Departure” Letter
Why I left Reformed Theology
Anytime someone begins a letter with “Why I Left (Belief.)”, I’m immediately skeptical. Yes, beliefs change, but legitimate transitions to new beliefs are usually framed in reference to the positives of the new belief and not the gripes of the old belief. For example, I didn’t leave Arminianism for Calvinism, I became a Calvinist. My focus is on the truth I now hold, not my past confusion. I don’t resent the first 23 years of my Christian walk. It is written, “The footsteps of a man are established by Yahweh, and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)
Titling the letter “Why I Left Reformed Theology,” feels like an attempt to lend credibility by establishing himself as former insider, now whistleblower. As he will demonstrate, a dalliance with the allure of new beliefs doesn’t make one an authoritative critic of those beliefs.
More of a Head Tilt Towards
I started leaning towards Reformed Theology…never…desired to be called a Calvinist….I honestly always struggled with some of the doctrine of the reformers but I was drawn to Calvinistic teaching
To a point, I understand. I prefer “Reformed” over “Calvinist,” the former a closer reflection of my broader theological convictions. Likewise, I don’t expect someone to adopt all of the theological positions of the Reformers. As a point of reference, I know John Calvin would likely dismiss me as a heretic—put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Yet, this leaves us with a quandary. What in Reformed Theology was he attracted to? He notes he likes “Reformed Theology making much of God’s sovereignty” Yet, belief of God’s sovereignty is not exclusively Reformed, and is only Reformed when defined by Reformed doctrines. Later in the letter, he objects about the idea of God hating sinners and predestining them to hell—so much for “making much of God’s sovereignty.”—which is also not what Reformed Christians believe (the hell thing, we totally believe God is sovereign.)
Reformed theology is systematic, reflecting the Scriptural revelation God’s actions are logically connected. It’s difficult to grasp what he left other than a fleeting head tilt towards Reformed Theology. Again, as a pastor, active in ministry during this time, why the confusion?
Nobody Follows John Calvin — Stop It!
I never followed John Calvin
As no Lutheran follows Martin Luther; Wesleyans, John Wesley; or Mennonite, Menno Simmons—Neither do Calvinists follow John Calvin! This is a straw man repeated ad nauseum by anti-Calvinists, and really makes me question his intentions! Perpetuating this slander demonstrates either ignorance of the beliefs he’s “leaving behind,” wanton disregard for the truth—or both. Most unbelievable, from a pastor claiming to have attended a Reformed Baptist church!
Historical Context of Calvinism
If my insistence wasn’t enough to dissuade you, nobody actually follows Calvin, let’s take a look at some of the history behind Calvinism, its name, and how it developed.
"Calvinism" was initially a pejorative coined by Lutherans, Calvin hated the term, it’s not how he wanted his life’s work to be remembered.
John Calvin's seminal work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, was foundational in spreading Reformed Protestantism across Europe.
As Calvinism spread it adapted to new contexts, echoing earlier teachings known as “Augustinianism” after St. Augustine of Hippo, and other early church writers.
Calvinism isn't a novelty but an expression of Scripture, so much so that Charles Spurgeon proclaimed, “Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.”
The core of Calvinism and the Reformation was the principle of sola scriptura, ensuring church doctrine remained aligned with God’s word as the sole infallible rule of faith, especially in the face of Roman Catholicism’s adherence to extra-biblical traditions. The Reformers aimed to rectify deviations from Scriptural truth, with the Bible as their primary authority amidst persecution from Rome.
Our Brother's limited grasp of Calvinism, confined to a superficial understanding of God’s sovereignty and predestination, misses the theological and historical depth of Reformed Theology. Understanding Calvinism in its historical and theological context is crucial to engage in informed critique and discussion. Our Brother doesn’t seem to have either.
Great Because of Reformed Theology
Great heroes like Spurgeon, Whitfield and Owen leaned that way.
Charles Spurgeon, George Whitfield, and John Owen would be aghast at their portrayal as anything less than dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist — an identification for which they faced criticism and persecution. Their theological richness came from their Reformed commitments, not in spite of them.
You Keep Using This Phrase, “Leaned”
Some of my close friends leaned that way as well.
Again, what does this even mean?
Here's the thing, Calvinists are great recruiters.
We are? That’s new!
Open To Interpretation
One pastor even had me convinced that I had believed their doctrine all along.
As we’re not privileged to all the details, it’s hard to make any clear judgments. While I’d like to be as charitable as possible to both parties, our Brother doesn’t seem to know what he believed.
Anti-Intellectualism is Anti-Christian
My Analysis
Calvinism is contagious and appeals to the intellect. It will catch you if you're not careful.
I believe our Brother was initially lured by the intellectual nature of Calvinism (more on this shortly.) He thought Calvinism could feed the intellectual thirst the experience-driven, anti-intellectual nature “Big Eva” leaves Christians thirsting for. Abandoning all reason and intellectual integrity in pursuit of “spiritual” experiences is contradictory to a pursuit of Christ, of “whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3)
Reading a little further beyond the introduction into his letter, he writes:
There was no liberty to truly worship. No testimonials. No "amen's". No hands raised to praise the King. The hymns were dry and the preaching was monotone. It was dead. No invitation was given. No tears were shed. I didn't even feel like I had been in church.
The Church’s pursuit of “experiences” and “feelings” in place of sound doctrine has reaped moral and spiritual decay. Feelings are poor, fickle substitutes for God’s word. Man cannot live on bread alone (Matthew 4:4)—even less tears and altar calls. Experiences may give the illusion of holiness—ironically Evangelicalism shares this commonality with Rome and the East—but are counterfeit to faithful worship as God has prescribed (see Regulative Principle of Worship.)
Systematic vs. Compartmentalized
Calvinism’s systematic theology, anchored in the Western tradition of reasoned thought, naturally appeals to the intellect. The Reformed Tradition thrives on a unified consistency between doctrines—embracing Tota Scriptura (or the Totality of Scripture.) That is, all of Scripture is interconnected and relevant, as the Psalmist writes, “The sum of your Word is truth.” (Psalm 119:160) This contrasts with Evangelicalism which tends to compartmentalize each doctrine, each existing within a vacuum.
Did you know the Doctrine of the Trinity is intimately connected to God’s plan of salvation? Or that God’s act of creation is fundamentally tied to the Great Commission? The Bible is vast, and its doctrinal richness expansive! Yet, many churches rarely scratch the surface! Shallow pastors with shallow teaching produces shallow Christians.
“Always Be Nice:” The 11th Commandment
Subsequently, Christians who have been a part of “feel-good” Christianity have made an ad hoc 11th Commandment of “Always Be Nice.” They avoid confrontation over doctrinal truths in favor of “unity and peace.” While, unity is important (see Ephesians 4:11-13 LSB), unity mustn’t come at the expense of the truth.
Dangers of Being Too Fierce
While there is significant support to the argument a passionate defense of the faith should come over pacifistic appeasement, a Calvinist can take this too far and just be mean. We are imperfect humans, and can forget the fact our knowledge of the truth has come by way of God’s grace, not intellectual superiority. (1 Corinthians 1-2)
Summary
Lack of Confidence
With what we’ve examined so far, it seems to me Our Brother was seeking an experience and didn’t find it. Nothing in his letter about “Why I Left Reformed Theology” lends confidence to an understanding of what he was drawn to or departed from. It’s as if he arrived in the parking lot, didn’t read the pamphlet, came in attracted by the lights, and left disappointed after his vision didn’t comport with the rich doctrinal and historical context of Reformed Theology.
Serious Doctrine, Serious Consideration
Delving into the profound truths of God isn’t the proper realm of whimsical exploration. Changes to doctrinal stances should always be met with sober examination of the truth. Paul cautions against being “children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14 LSB) Paul follows this with an exhortation on the importance of grounding our growth in Christ—Truth incarnate.
Semper Reformanda: A Balanced Pursuit
Historical Reflection:
The historical Reformation was a profound movement that sought not the overthrow of Christ’s church, but its restoration to biblical fidelity and obedience to true worship of God. This era marked a significant return to Scriptural truths, laying down a robust theological framework that continues to guide Reformed Theology. It's a vivid demonstration of the church's ability to self-correct and continue growing in understanding, embodying the phrase Semper Reformanda, or "always reforming."
My Personal Journey:
In my own transition from Arminianism to Calvinism, it wasn’t a departure from my old beliefs, but a clarification of what I believed. Confusion was clarified. Truth was better understood. Recently, I reached out to a pastor of the church I was saved at when I was seven. Despite now being across certain theological divides, he was pleased to hear from me, and I him. He is a dear brother, nay, father, and I was pleased he responded. I look back with fondness, even if I would never return.
Core Principles of Biblical Calvinism:
Biblical Calvinism invites believers into a rich tapestry of theological understanding. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the total depravity of man, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints, often encapsulated in the acronym TULIP. These principles, rooted in Scripture, offer a coherent and systematic understanding of God's redemptive plan, providing a solid ground for faith and practice.
Analyzing Our Brother’s Journey:
Our Brother’s ease in departing from Reformed Theology suggests great confusion. It was a consideration and not a commitment—one can’t leave what one has never truly embraced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christians across diverse doctrinal stances have glorified God and led others to Him. Our primary aim should be to honor God through faithful worship and a truthful understanding of Him.
If you’ve found yourself in the parking lot of Reformed Theology, I hope this article encourages you to come inside. There's a richness in biblical Calvinism worth examining.
Engaging deeply with the principles of biblical Calvinism allows believers to continue the tradition of Semper Reformanda—always reforming and growing in understanding of God's truth.
P.S. to My Brother
Dear Brother, if you run across this article, understand: I love you, pray for you, and mean this article out of good intentions and no disrespect towards you. Thank you the opportunity to share what I believe, and pardon me if I misrepresented you.
“Calvinism is contagious and appeals to the intellect. It will catch you if you're not careful.” @Matthew Edmund 😂 that’s good! I wish more people understood the regulative principles of worship, as Protestants, we have done a terrible job teaching this over the centuries since the reformation. Glad you mentioned it, most people have never studied it. Also, what you are saying about moving from Arminianism to Calvinism resonates with me. It wasn’t a “departure” from old to new, but a clarification of what I already believed. I felt like I had never heard the word “doctrine” until I came to a reformed church. I knew all these truths, but had never gathered these truths into neat folders called “doctrines” and then bound them all together in my mind. Calvinism is what took me from immaturity to maturity.