Should we use the term "Calvinist"?

[thistle93]

I personally try to avoid using the terminology "calvinist" to explain myself for multiple reasons.

1) Some have so maligned or so misunderstood it, that I find it not helpful outside of reformed circles.

2) Gives people an impression that I follow a person and system rather than the Bible.

3) I think Calvin would despise the name and he had nothing to do with developing the TULIP.

4) That somehow all I believe in are just the 5 Points of the TULIP and nothing else.

5) That I endorse everything Calvin said or did or believed. Being a baptist that would clearly not be the case.

For myself I prefer to refer to myself as " reformed or particular baptist".

I am not saying I think it is always wrong to the term "calvinist" but I do believe there is better terminology to utilize. Your thoughts?


For His Glory-
Matthew

 

[Jack K]

I don't use the term very often, for many of the reasons you mention. It is helpful, though, among people who will understand what I mean, as shorthand for "holding to the doctrines of God's sovereignty in matters of soteriology." In such cases it's a nice, precise term that can end up being helpful, even though we might be able to pick a better word if we had the chance to coin theological terms from scratch.

 

[KMK]

Hardly ever does anyone ask me about my theological positions. I guess the words I would use would depend on who was asking.

 

[chatwithstumac]

I believe it can be sinful to call ourselves followers of anyone but Christ. Paul dealt with this issue with the Corinthians.

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:4-6
King James Version

I was convicted to use this text as my signature here on the pb because at one point in my life I was studying more about Calvin than our Lord. That is most certainly a danger for all like minded Christians in the reformed faith.

In Christ,
Stu

 

[reaganmarsh]

In my context as an SBC minister, I am somewhat torn on this matter. I take our brother's point above re: the words of Paul and it is compelling to me. That being said...

I don't have a problem describing my theology to people as Reformed or Calvinistic, so long as I can define the words. A couple of my deacons sometimes tease me about being "the Reformed pastor." Our congregation knows that such are my convictions, as I made them very clear during the search process. I'll add, though, that I don't normally use the label from the pulpit (ie, "Y'all know I'm a Calvinist, so...").

However, I share your concerns and am cautious about using the term in certain circles. For some of my acquaintances, it would be perceived (wrongly) as divisiveness on my part; for others, it would only confuse. It's not that I'm afraid of confrontation -- just that some folks don't have the biblical/theological framework at present. It's wiser and more loving, for the time being, to let them observe my ministry and answer their questions as they arise. Caricatures are destroyed by reality.

It's not that I deny that I'm Reformed if I'm asked; I just don't necessarily lead off with it (ie, "Hi, I'm Reagan, and I'm the token Calvinist in this group.") For a while I used the term "Biblicist" as a self-descriptor, until I realized that a lot of non-Reformed men were using that term as well. At that point it didn't make sense to confess something different from them, while employing their term.

If it helps in terms of its practical outworking, Matthew, my résumé plainly and prominently states that I am "a Reformed SBC minister" (and has for years). Apparently some Reformed SBC brothers flew under the radar during the pastor search process at several churches, and it caused some problems; so I try to make that matter clear up front. If nothing else, it has allowed me to clarify my beliefs from Scripture with a number of pastor search committees over the years, and help them begin to think through these matters from the Scriptures for themselves.

Hope this helps. Grace to you.

 

[whirlingmerc]

I usually say reformed. Saying Augustinian has a little more advantages since it goes back to a church father but really there are points where I part company with his notions of prayer for the dead.

When I say Calvinist I usually go all in and say seven point. Best of all possible worlds for the best of all reasons and double predestination.

Tulip requires an explanation of each point and even Calvinists will mean different things. Utterly depraved or tinged with depravity. I go with pervasively tinged.

 

[DMcFadden]

Only if you are one.

 

[DMcFadden]

The term is historical-theological shorthand with some utility. However, as has been observed, it has some problems attached to it. If you call yourself a Calvinist or Reformed on the PB, you better be a paedobaptist unless you want Guido, Guido, and Son, Inc. to come visit you and take out your kneecaps. "Them is fightin' words around her pardner." Our presbyterian brethren often object to calling oneself Reformed or Calvinist unless you accept more than Dortian soteriology. Particular Baptist would be far more apt. However, it has fallen into such disuse that you would almost need to do more 'splainin' with it than Reformed Baptist, Calvinistic Baptist, or Calvinian soteriology.

Most people great enough to have a "system" named after them (i.e., Luther, Calvin, Wesley), were loathe to have it named after them. Ironic isn't it? On the other hand, I am DELIGHTED to call someone with dialectically heterodox views a Barthian. You almost want to flinch at the anticipated spit just hearing it said through clenched jaw and with full snarl. I keep wanting to respond to my few "Barthian" friends by asking: "Oh, do you mean that you hold to a system of illogically contradictory views in an attempt to reconcile Christianity with modern scholarship or that you have a mistress who lives with your family?"

 

[jwithnell]

It's a shorthand, I suppose, but truncated because Calvin taught so much more than the doctrines of grace and because most reformed folks embrace later theologians. Where would we be without Jonathan Edwards, Gerhardos Vos, John Murray and so forth?

 

[Sylvanus]

I don't typically bring it up in conversation, as if I need to make sure I make it known to any and all comers. Typically the person comes to the conclusion on their own, and I own it, because I align with the historic position; but if asked, I would say I'm Reformed because I believe it more fully encompasses my theology and practice.

I'm all for redeeming words, however, even if they are often maligned (by outsiders) or ill-represented (by professors of it).

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

I like the term, after all...

1. Calvinists tend to wear wool and cotton. Dispensationalists tend to wear lime-green polyester leisure suits.
2. John Calvin was French...being French is very chic.
3. Calvin sounds like Calvin Klein...and his clothes are very chic.
4. Calvinists can drink.
5. Calvinists can smoke.
6. Dispensationalists are into prophecy conferences where they talk about Star-Trek eschatology and the mark of the Beast. Calvinists have conferences on "life and culture", art, social justice, and other high-brow things like that. Afterwards, we go to the local pub and talk about philosophy over a pint of Bass ale.
7. Calvinists have close ties with Scotland and Scotland is very cool: you know --Sean Connery, the movie Highlander, Bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Glenlivet 18 year old Scotch, the movie Train Spotting, Brave Heart, etc.
8. Calvinists think we are smarter than anybody else.
9. It is more socially acceptable to say, "I go to Grace Presbyterian Church" than to say, "I go to Washed In The Blood Worship Center", "I go to Son Life Charismatic Believers Assembly", or to say "I go to Boston Berean Bible Believing Baptist Bethel", or to say "I go to the Latter-Day-Rain Deliverance Tabernacle Prophecy Center, Inc.", or to say "I go to the Philadelphia Church of the Majority Text", or to say "I go to the Lithuanian Apostolic Orthodox Autocephalic Church of the Baltic union of 1838".

10. Ultimately, I am a Calvinist because I had no choice in the matter.

 

[Jake]

Well why would we? I don't agree with his positions on the sabbath anyhow, and I think he was a little soft on what songs we should sing in worship.

 

[Bill The Baptist]

9. It is more socially acceptable to say, "I go to Grace Presbyterian Church" than to say, "I go to Washed In The Blood Worship Center", "I go to Son Life Charismatic Believers Assembly", or to say "I go to Boston Berean Bible Believing Baptist Bethel", or to say "I go to the Latter-Day-Rain Deliverance Tabernacle Prophecy Center, Inc.", or to say "I go to the Philadelphia Church of the Majority Text", or to say "I go to the Lithuanian Apostolic Orthodox Autocephalic Church of the Baltic union of 1838".

Or this one King James Bible Baptist Church - Ladson, South Carolina

 

[earl40]

I usually do not use it for myself unless asked, but I usually ask what denomination or system of thought the person follows because this saves a huge amount of time when discussing spiritual matters. Just stating or asking if one is a Christian is not very helpful many times.

 

[lynnie]

Because the Gospel Coalition is often referred to in cyberspace as neo Calvinist, instead of neo Reformed, I think Calvinist is a useful term that represents to anybody with some theological depth that you like John Piper and have a copy of Grudem's ST and probably do not keep any sort of strict sabbath and may be Baptist, and don't get what the fuss is about confessions, if indeed you ever read one.

I'd reserve the term Reformed for more confessional churches and pastors/people.

Of course you have the book Young, Restless, and Reformed to lend the term Reformed to what I just called neoCalvinist. So to some extent it depends on the audience what words you use.

It used to be said that Reformed was almost synonymous with Covenantal theology....so in occasional situations where I am hearing all about the rapture and the Harbinger and political Israel the chosen people, I will say I am Reformed and don't believe in all that and say why...although mostly anymore I figure it isn't worth the energy to say anything. but that is a case where I only use the term Reformed, in opposition to dispensational.

1 Corinthians 14 is clear that our speech must be understood, and that can be broadly applied to how we use words. In many cases, much depends on the audience. If I know somebody is from the Calvary Churches I am careful not to use the word Calvinist, as Dave Hunt and Missler have so distorted it into a perception of fatalism.

It is often useful to say you believe in the great doctrines of grace and an all powerful God, and that sounds good. If a conversation develops you can elaborate.

 

[jandrusk]

I personally will continue to use the term and have no reservations around it. The first statement, "1) Some have so maligned or so misunderstood it, that I find it not helpful outside of reformed circles.", could be applied to the noun, "Christian" as well, but does that mean we shouldn't call ourselves Christians? I think we need to educate the ignorant on the correct definition of the term and to use it when it makes sense.

 

[Gforce9]

I personally will continue to use the term and have no reservations around it. The first statement, "1) Some have so maligned or so misunderstood it, that I find it not helpful outside of reformed circles.", could be applied to the noun, "Christian" as well, but does that mean we shouldn't call ourselves Christians? I think we need to educate the ignorant on the correct definition of the term and to use it when it makes sense.

I'm with Justin. While I have no desire to go around and be obnoxious or rude, I also have no desire to coddle the thousands or millions of maligned inner children running around. I will also not divorce myself from church history or the church in history; the truth is that we all follow in the footsteps, to one degree or another, of the great brothers gone before. I'm glad to say I follow the creed of Chalcedon. I'm glad to say (although very feebly) I follow in the footsteps of the likes of Gillespie and Rutherford. In all these things there is much profit.