If you have ever read my About page, you’d know that I am a Calvinist (not a closet Calvinist 
).
But on the eve of the 500th anniversary celebration of the birth of John Calvin, I think I’m the worst Calvinist alive:
Courtesy: jwest.wordpress.com
- I don’t discuss Calvinism on my blog.
- My blog roll is not loaded with Calvinists bloggers.
- I’m still not a fan of the ESV nor its related Study Bible, which are “unofficially” for Calvinists (I still think I’m right).
- I don’t care whether a person is a Calvinist or not (my Calvinism is a personal conviction).
- And July 10th, 2009—is just another day for me.
Still, happy 500th! 
(Related posts: 1. Is this a Sign of Hero Worship? 2. Is the ESV the Calvinist Bible? 3. My Take on the ESV Study Bible) 4. Calvin’s 500th Birthday
Worry not…you’ve got Monergism Books up there. All is well
Douglas, Are Monergism Books Calvinist?
just another day??? i’m speechless.
Jim, that line was especially for you.
On a serious note, much is to be admired about Calvin.
You should feel good about it, TC. Somehow you’ve managed to accept Calvinist theology without giving up your humility. A fairly rare thing, in my experience.
Why would you care to be a Calvinist? Who’s disciple you want to be, Calvin’s or Jesus’? Are we to follow men or Christ? Did Calvin die for your sins? Was he crucified for you? Was he raised from the dead? Follow personalities other than Christ is what keeps denominationalism alive and Satan happy.
I am still wondering what time the Calvin 500 race starts. Is it Nascar or Formula 1?
Is John a driver this year or what?
TC:
You’ve got some work to do if you want to dethrone this guy.
TC:
You’ve got some work to do if you want to dethrone this guy..
Pedro, you’re spoiling the fun for me, man.
Polycarp, nice one.
Justin, How so? I like NT.
TC:
You like him, eh? I guess now you have reason #6!
Seriously, I have greatly benefited from Bishop Wright’s work, and even more so from his audio lectures and sermons. Truth be told, he’s probably influenced me more than any other writer. I can’t say enough good things about his him. He just seems to be the whipping boy for a lot of those of a Calvinist bent, especially on Paul.
Ah, #6!
Justin, he’s influenced me a great deal too, esp. in how I read Paul, my human hero. Plus, NT is an egalitarian.
In answer to Pedro’s question, “was Calvin raised from the dead?”
No, not yet. That’s coming soon*, though!
*admittedly, this is relative to one’s eschatology. Only God knows** exactly HOW soon “soon” is.
**There are some people who think they have a date for the resurrection of believers, but I’m assuming none of us*** are taking them seriously.
***By “us,” I don’t mean Calvinists****. I mean whoever happens to be reading this blog. Which could be a diverse group, I suppose. Are any of you guys crazy enough to set a date?
****Okay, I’ll stop now.
Seriously, TC, I appreciate your approach and your lack of obvious Calvinism. I always say, “Just follow the Bible – that way, you’ll be a Calvinist sooner or later.” In reality, I was a Calvinist long before I ever wore the label openly. I misunderstood Calvinism so badly, I didn’t even recognize my own embrace of Calvinism for quite awhile. I thought I was a just a really balanced Arminian.
Grace & peace,
Derek Ashton
Derek, thanks. I’ve had my share of online debates – they just worn me out.
But yes, I too had to clear up some misgivings I had about Calvinism.
In a word, Calvinism is recognizing the monergistic nature of one’s salvation from start to finish because of our sinful nature.
Wow, when you put it that way, it makes it out to sound like Calvinism is a cult. I think I agree with most points of Calvinism because many of his views are derived from Scripture.
I believe in predestination. And I believe free will is still very much a part of our human experience, at the same time.
But I do not believe in Sola Scriptura. In the sense that it may have come to mean “Scripture Only” in the minds of many Christians, instead of “Scripture Alone” as was originally intended to mean.
“Scripture Alone” means Scripture is the only final authority by which we practice our faith.
But certainly we cannot live by “Scripture Only” for what would become of the sermon, Christian books, logic, observational knowledge, prophecy, visions/dreams?
R, for me, it’s not a cult at all (I would have stayed in the closet
)
But I do agree with your sentiments on sola scriptura, esp. if you’re Charismatic.
TC,
since reason number 6 was filled by NT Wright, reason number 7 is that you are friendly and kind to your Arminian Brothers in Christ.
Robert, my friend, How did I forget that? You’re so kind.
From a non-Calvinist visitor to your blog – LOL
Eric, there you go!
Hmmm…it appears I’m entering this conversation WAY late, but that’s how the back alleys of blog archives work, I guess. T.C., I love # 4 above. So many folks are up in arms about Calvinism/Arminianism. I would qualify myself as “Calvinist/Reformed” as well as charismatic. I’m a lot like Derek (above – and I’ve spoken with him before) who sort of discovered that he’d been reformed all along. Honestly, I think many of my Arminian friends couldn’t help but admit they actually hold to most of the tenets of Reformed theology. It’s a hard row to hoe sometimes, however, when folks close to you think you’ve gone off the deep end when they hear you say “Calvinist.”
Blaine,
Over a year late.
But I think we should appreciate our diverse views without slighting one another and so on.
Roger that!
Just a small bit
monergism is a significant calvinist doctrine – that it is only God who does the work of salvation.
Vlad, thanks.
Good definition.