Don't Fear The Doctrines of Grace

I recently read a blog that asked why Calvinism is on the rise. Personally, I don’t prefer the term Calvinism because it has gotten a bad rap and has been associated with Hyper-Calvinism that teaches not to evangelize or engage in missions. I don’t like to be labeled “Reform” because it could possible link me to not being a Dispensational Pre-Millennialist. I prefer being an advocate of the Doctrines of Grace in salvation. Personally, I don’t like labels because they can be misleading.

I had a conversation with a pastor who I had just met and he asked me what I thought was the next big controversy in the SBC (If that isn’t a loaded question?) I told him I thought we didn't need a controversy, but that we needed to get together and focus on expanding the Kingdom through missions and evangelism.

I asked him what he thought and he said that we needed to get rid of Calvinism in the SBC. I asked him to define Calvinism and he couldn't come up with a definition.

In seminary, I was dead set against Calvinism. I didn't understand it outside of being told that Calvinists don't believe in witnessing or missions. I was wrong. Since graduating seminary (2002 Southwestern) and studying the Bible on my own, my views have changed and I believe in the Doctrines of Grace.

I am of the opinion that over time as more and more pastors and lay people study and see God's sovereignty in election the tide will turn. I am hopeful that those of us who believe in this historic Baptist doctrine will not have to fear those who are ignorant of our evangelistic beliefs, choose to define us as the enemy of missions, and want to rid us from the SBC. Yes, If you add to this doctrine philosophy outside the bounds of the Bible, Hyper-Calvinism can arise. But I would also contend that the logical conclusion of non-Calvinists (Arminians) is to have a man centered gospel rather than a God centered gospel. Man could be good enough for God. But, I don’t fear those who don’t agree on all five points of Calvinism as long as they maintain an evangelistic fervor for missions and reaching the lost.

I don’t understand all the details of this controversy, but I don’t believe we should divide over this. We should not declare a witch-hunt against those who differ in opinion from us. The focus should be on cooperating to send missionaries, to lead people to Christ, and start evangelistic churches that reproduce and win souls to Christ.