Of Squeamish Calvinists and Hyper-Arminians

[Jimmy the Greek]

The following is the lead in to an article by James White at AOM (03/18/2009). I thoroughly enjoyed it myself.

"Unless you impute human-like irrationality to God, I will call you names." This seems to be the attitude of many squeamish Calvinists on the net these days. Unless you are willing to drag God down to the level of a flummoxed suitor, who is torn between contradictory desires, you will be called to repent and labeled with terms meant only to damage your ministry, nothing more.

Those who have not been on the frontlines find it amenable to sit in their comfy computer chairs and opine away at the keyboard. They know they will never be called upon to present a consistent defense of the faith, especially in the face of competing world religions. So they have little concern about the use of words like "tension" and "mystery," which are so often used to do little more than cover over contradiction and irrationality. Some actually think they are giving a meaningful apologetic when they openly confess the contradictions in their proclamation.

Alpha and Omega Ministries, The Christian Apologetics Ministry of James R. White

 

[LawrenceU]

Thanks. That is a very good read. I reckon to most out there I'm a hyper-Calvinist as well. I get called that a lot. I'm in good company.

 

[ZackF]

The following is the lead in to an article by James White at AOM (03/18/2009). I thoroughly enjoyed it myself.

"Unless you impute human-like irrationality to God, I will call you names." This seems to be the attitude of many squeamish Calvinists on the net these days. Unless you are willing to drag God down to the level of a flummoxed suitor, who is torn between contradictory desires, you will be called to repent and labeled with terms meant only to damage your ministry, nothing more.

Those who have not been on the frontlines find it amenable to sit in their comfy computer chairs and opine away at the keyboard. They know they will never be called upon to present a consistent defense of the faith, especially in the face of competing world religions. So they have little concern about the use of words like "tension" and "mystery," which are so often used to do little more than cover over contradiction and irrationality. Some actually think they are giving a meaningful apologetic when they openly confess the contradictions in their proclamation.

Alpha and Omega Ministries, The Christian Apologetics Ministry of James R. White

An excellent quote from an articulate, heroic defender of the faith.

 

[ExGentibus]

An excellent article. I too get called a hyper from time to time, especially when I stress that the concept of the eternity of God includes His immutability and the absence of contrasting desires. The appeal to grey areas of "mystery" and "in some sense" is indeed often used to cover over real contradictions and inconsistencies in one's theological presuppositions, especially in online discussions.

 

[Parsifal23]

I could agree with what James White was saying I just didn't understand what the disagreement in The Calvinist community is.

 

[Michael Doyle]

I could agree with what James White was saying I just didn't understand what the disagreement in The Calvinist community is.

Welcome Aaron to the PB

 

[AThornquist]

Good article. Currently I am one of those "squeamish" Calvinists, but I do not cry "hyper-Calvinist" and I enjoy Gill's commentaries. Of course, the only folks I've read on the issue have been my pastor, Piper, Hoekema and Murray, all of whom are "squeamish" Calvinists. My impasse to becoming a non-squeamish Calvinist is the idea that "nothing will happen that God doesn't want." From the squeamish Calvinists I've read, things can happen that God doesn't want, at least in a sense. Here I am thinking of the "two wills of God," that God may be morally against (or for) something, but still decree something else to happen (commonly used examples would of course be sin, the fall, the crucifixion, etc.). Thus, though He may want (in a sense) all to be saved, He may have a greater desire to show His justice on an individual.

I see the logic in this perspective, but like I said it is all I have learned. Are there any book recommendations that would be germane? I certainly don't like being a "squeamish" Calvinist if indeed it is wrong to be one.

 

[lynnie]

That was hysterical. I throughly enjoyed it.

 

[AThornquist]

I appreciate your information, Joshua.

I am in an annoying position; while I do agree with what you say, I am finding it very difficult to not see some merit in the "two wills" perspective. I'll read some more commentaries on the so-called "Arminian verses" such as 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:23, 32, etc. Those are the verses that are really tripping me up.