Am I a Calvinist? from Bret Capranica on Vimeo.

As you might imagine, I am often asked about this.  Obviously, I have openly identifed myself with Calvinism in some regard, but when really pushed on this issue I don’t have any desire to publicly defend myself as a Calvinist.  That’s not because I’m ashamed of what I believe or with whom it may associate me, nor am I trying to duck behind a facade and not answer tough questions.  I really do have an aversion to many of these sorts of public theological labels.

Admittedly, I am probably inconsistent in my aversion.  I don’t mind being called a Baptist, even though I abhor some of the caricatures, but I am not dogmatic in defending myself as an ardent Dispensationalist, though I would hold a number of its tenets.

Why I have an aversion to theological labels.

1.  Labels tend to avoid biblical discussion. If I simply come out and publicly identify myself as a Calvinist or even a Dispensationalist, the conversation with many immediately ceases and we tend to go no further without any real biblical interaction over the issues.  Or, association with a particular label often leads to a mere discussion of whose syllogism is most logical.  Maybe that has its place, but not fundamentally.  Why begin, not with “are you a . . . “ but with “how do you understand this biblical passage, or that doctrinal implication.”  I have no interest in defending Calvinism per se.   I have great interest in discussing biblical texts and how we come to certain conclusions about them.

2.  Labels are usually associated with caricatures. I find that people have their own mental associations with theological labels – whether positive or negative, whether correctly or incorrectly defined.  For example, when reading Dave Hunt’s book, What Love Is This, I could not identify myself with what he described as a Calvinist.  In my estimation, he created a false image of a Calvinist, and proceeded then to poke holes in his self-made caricature.  Nor when I read Norm Geisler’s book, Chosen But Free, was I not convinced of his re-defining more traditional Arminian belief into a modified Calvinism.  He, like Hunt, tends not to interact with actual interpretive issues in the Bible, but the straw-man caricatures he made out of Calvinists.  Don’t get me wrong.  Calvinists can do the same as well.  Some go so far as to even suggest that anyone in an Arminian camp is heretical and unworthy of gospel partnership.  That is not my position or practice.

3.  Labels tend to create unhelpful schisms within the congregation. As soon as the label is assigned the schisms begin, fragmenting the body of Christ (a local church) into various pro and con segments.  I don’t view this as healthy (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).  Why not rather have open and frank discussions on difficult passages and their doctrinal implications.  I think the church can more faithfully come together in unity when we discuss how we come to biblical conclusions, rather than which labeled camp do you associate with.

But now to the question at hand:

I suppose I am a Calvinist if . . .

If you define Calvinism as believing that man’s nature is so affected by the power of and slavery to sin, that he would never, in and of himself, have the spiritual ability to bring himself to Christ (Rom 3:10-19; Eph 2:1-3), so God, in his mercy, chose to apply his saving love upon those he marked from eternity past for redemption (Eph 1:4-11; 2:1-10; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 1:9), actually accomplishing atonement for them on the cross and averting the wrath of God toward them through Jesus’ sacrifice (Eph 5:25-27), awakening a lost sinner’s heart to the beauty of Christ, the horrors of hell and the kindness of God in the gospel (2 Cor 4:3-6), God effecting a yearning for Christ in the sinner’s heart (Acts 16:14), and preserving the converted sinner until ultimate glorification (Rom 8:1, 28-39) – then yes, I would be probably be considered a Calvinist and don”™t care if you call me one.   I come to those conclusions based on specific interpretations of a multitude of texts.  But in the end, I would rather discuss each of the issues from the Scripture, than simply talk about what is and is not Calvinistic.

But I’m not really a Calvinist if  . . .

If you think that a Calvinist assumes that because God elected certain ones to salvation then there is no need to avidly evangelize or pray for sinners to be converted, or one that believes that all Arminians are heretics, or that the death of Christ had no beneficial intention for even those who will not believe (1 Tim 4:10), or that all human responsibility is unnecessary because God is sovereign (Matt 4:17; Acts 17:30-31), that God does not use human means to bring about a person”™s conversion, or that God brings sinners to himself unwillingly, kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God – then no – I’m not a Calvinist.   Nor do I hold to paedo-baptism, a church-state religion or a Presbyterian hierarchical structure of church government.  Nope, in those ways, I’m not a Calvinist ““ if that is how you define Calvinism.

Am I an Arminian?

I don’t think that human will is so free that once saved, I am still free to reject Christ’s work on the cross and then become unsaved (Rom 8:31-39; John 10:27-29).  I don’t believe that the human will can ultimately hold God’s will captive.  I don’t think God chose people for salvation based upon what they would do (Eph 2:3-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5-7), I don’t think Christ’s crucifixion only made atonement for sin possible, but actual, I don’t think the work of the Holy Spirit is ineffective when he supernaturally draws someone to Christ.  So, I’m probably not an Arminian.

But then again . . .

I do believe that humans are responsible to respond to the gospel.  I believe that sinners will receive divine wrath for choosing not to embrace and follow the gospel.   I avidly believe that Christians have an urgent responsibility to make the gospel known to all the nations of the world.  I believe God uses means such as prayer, conversation, preaching, personal character, missionaries, etc., to bring about salvation in a person’s life.  I think that the death of Christ is sufficient for all, provided to all (though not efficaciously applied to or appropriated by all), is publicly offered to all as the only solution to their sinful condition, and is what brings any present, temporary relief from God’s wrath on our sinful world.   If that’s your understanding of Arminianism or some form of modified Calvinism, then maybe I’m that.

I believe all who will, may come and they will find Christ a ready and sufficient Savior (John 6:35, 47; Matt 11:28-30).  I also believe those who do come, do so because the Father gave them to Christ in eternity past and effectively drew them to believe in the Savior (John 6:37, 44-45; Matt 11:27).

But again, I would rather talk about how we should understand particular texts and their theological implications than discuss whether I am or am not an Arminian, Calvinist, Dispensationalist, Covenantal, etc.

It is not my aim in ministry to be known as a Calvinist.  I don’t find it as my life’s goal to defend Calvinism.  I”™m not an evangelist for Calvinism.  When I think of the initials J.C., I don”™t first think, John Calvin.  I am not seeking to push a perceived Calvinist agenda.  My happiness does not come in making everyone a Calvinist by name.   I don’t want to pastor a church that wears Calvinism on its sleeve – or as a slogan on its web-site.  I don’t have a compulsion to somehow work the 5 points into every sermon.  I don’t agree with John Calvin on everything.   I’m not at war with Arminians, and I don’t seek to only converse with, and partner only with 5 point Calvinists.  Plenty of 5 pointers like to quibble with me on my views of certain texts.  I don’t want to be known as an angry, arrogant, schismatic Calvinist (or Arminian for that matter).

I am also not ashamed to affirm my convictions that total depravity, unconditional election, actual atonement (particular redemption), effectual calling, and the perseverance of the saints are all biblically valid doctrines.  I hold to them and believe they should spur greater confidence and urgency in missions and evangelism.

However, my aim in ministry is to be known as a Christian – bearing of the image of Jesus Christ in my character.  My life’s aim is to make Christ and his gospel known, and I want to vigorously defend the integrity, sufficiency, and authority of the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am seeking to push a Christ-centered, Great-Commission, soul-sanctifying, agenda through the local church.  My happiness comes in seeing God glorified as people find their joy in his supremacy.  I want to pastor a church that is known for our allegiance to Jesus and his word.  I have a compulsion to open the Bible week after week and teach book-by-book, passage-by-passage, and let the text take us where it will.  I want to be known as a Bible saturated man pursing Christ with my whole heart and seeking the salvation of my family, friends, neighbors, city, state, nation, and the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18-20).  I have every confidence that this disciple-making agenda will be successful because salvation is ultimately God”™s work and he has promised his very presence and authority to accompany it.  I want to be known as a joyful, stable, unified follower of Jesus as revealed in the Bible.  I would assume many Arminians and many Calvinists want this same thing.  So, on that basis, I assume we can work well together for the kingdom of Christ.

My guess is that I won’t satisfy the most ardent Calvinist or avid Arminian.  That’s reality.  I am convinced that we can work well together for the glory of Christ as we fix our gaze on him, his word, and the mission of extending the gospel across our planet.

Here’s a sermon I preached a few years ago on the subject of election:  ”Crucial Questions on Election”

Or addressing God’s Sovereignty in salvation in an exposition manner, listen to the 3 Part Series on Romans 9:14-29; God Isn’t Fair!  - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

I was privileged to meet Dr. Andy Davis this past April.  Aside from his obvious brilliance, he has memorized vast portions of Scripture and is so amazingly and encouragingly insightful in his understanding of God’s Word.  Here is Dr. Davis, an MIT grad, discussing the question, has science buried God?

[You Tube Video]

HT:  Thabiti Anyabwile

Here’s the video of the Baptist 21 panel held during the lunch break at this year’s SBC in Orlando.  This panel was discussing the Great Commission Resurgence report that was to be debated and eventually adopted by the messengers of the convention that afternoon.  Great stuff here:

[Vimeo Video]

HT: Justin Taylor

B21 Panel at 2010 SBC Annual Meeting from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

I’m looking forward to seeing this in its entirety!

[YouTube Video]

This is one of many reasons why I love and support DGM.

This was a much needed exhortation to my heart this morning in my reading – what every ordinary pastor needs to consider very carefully:

The higher we rise in the kingdom the more we shall be like Jesus in this humbling of Himself.  Childlikeness such as He exhibited is an invariable characteristic of spiritual advancement, even as its absence is the mark of moral littleness.  The little man, even when well-intentioned, is ever consequential and scheming, — ever thinking of himself, his honor, dignity, reputation, even when professedly doing good.  He always studies to glorify God in a way that shall at the same time glorify himself.  Frequently above the love of gain, he is never above the feeling of self-importance.  The great ones in the kingdom, on the other hand, throw themselves with such unreservedness into the work to which they are called, that they have neither time nor inclination to inquire what place they shall obtain in this world or the next.  Leaving consequences to the great Governor and Lord, and forgetful of self-interest, they give their soul to their appointed task; content to fill a little space or a large one, as God shall appoint, if only He be glorified.

A.B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve

This week, I and our three pastoral interns will be attending the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY.  Two years ago was my first occasion to attend this conference (2006 was the first).  Over 7,000 are expected for this year’s conference and the line up of speakers looks excellent.  You can keep tabs on the conference through the web-site.  It does not appear they will be livestreaming the sessions, but each will likely be available afterward online.

Here’s 5 things I most looking forward to at this year’s T4G:

1.  Powerful Preaching.  The preaching is from our generation’s best expositors addressing crucial issues in keeping the gospel central in life and ministry.  I am still deeply affected by John Piper’s message two years ago and its effects in my ministry are taking shape even as we speak.

2.  God-centered Singing.  I cannot say enough about the singing at the last conference.  Every song seems to lyrically fit the message previously given.  Each song was played with simplicity and beauty so as to highlight what we were singing and the voices rose above the instrumentation – one mighty choir of 5500 men singing incredible words together.

3.  Stimulating Resources.  Rumor has it that some 20 books will be given out.  These are not publisher left-overs.  These resources are those which the main speakers want to put in the hands of each of the attendees because of what the intended impact.  I look forward to digging into them.

4.  Ministry Focus.  These conferences provide an opportunity for me to be evaluated, evaluate ministry, and refocus my heart and mind on what is most important.

5.  Fervent Fellowship.  I cannot say how much I appreciate the conversations and spiritual stimulation I receive when attending conferences like this with brothers from my church.  We will laugh a lot, stay up far later than we should talking about every conceivable issue related to church life, personal life, Christ, the gospel, ministry, etc.  I so love concentrated fellowship with brothers I serve alongside.

This is well worth your time to watch:

Jesus + Nothing = Everything (Part 5) from Coral Ridge on Vimeo.

HT:  Justin Taylor

As we remember the Lord’s death today, check out this satellite map of Jerusalem and the places mentioned in Scripture connected to the week of His passion:
View Larger Map

HT:  Justin Taylor

Here’s John Piper’s comments:

Here’s the link to the others who will be preaching at the National Conference.