My primary goal with this blog is to introduce fellow Calvinists to their historical heritage; and to alert them to the reality that Calvinism cannot be reduced to its Westminster style — there are other, even more “Evangelical” versions of Calvinism available within its rich heritage. My initial assertion is that there is such a thing as “Evangelical Calvinism,” which does not follow the famous “Five-Points-of-Calvinism;” at least in every area. And in the ways that it does follow “Five-Pointism,” it does so by recasting key components (such as double predestination or election-reprobation) in much more “biblical” categories.
As you can tell, part of the “fun” of this blog, is that I am going to be myself; which means I am going to be a bit polemical (quite a bit), hopefully always in Christian charity. This blog, at points, will be critiquing and watching some of the more “popular” Calvinist blogs out there. I will use their posts as foils to introduce a more sound way forward for all you Calvinists out there.
I will be providing more insight on where I am coming from through the unfolding and evolution of this blog. Be aware, one of the primary informing voices for me is Thomas F. Torrance and his Scottish Theology; as well as what I have come to know as “Affective Theology,” which I was introduced to in seminary by Dr. Ron Frost.
Get ready to have some fun, Calvinist . . . you may or may not want to call me “brethren,” at least “Calvinist brethren,” that’s okay — as long as you can call me Christian, I think we’ll get along just fine.
Glad to be listed as an Evangelical Calvinist. And in such exalted company too!!
Glad you fit that category, Glen! I'm sure some in the "Classic Category" would protest; that is until they realized what I was referring to with the language of "Evangelical Calvinist" ;-).
More sound, in the context of Calvinism, than the Westminster divines, eh? You sound like a young seminarian.
I'm not really that young anymore (relatively speaking); but everyone says that I have a "baby-face," a real cutey ;-).
Greetings Bobby,
I came across your blog by clickthrough from a comment at Heidleblog a few days ago. I saw your posts about the MacArthurites. I’m looking forward to reading up on your blog. I’m not sure I agree with your views on Calvinism, but I am entertained by your method of asking questions and challenging the faith once for all delivered to the pop-Reformed divines of our time.
I have similar questionings and challenges, yet with differing issues. And, yes, I’m willing to count you “brethren,” unless of course you hold to the wrong view on whether a woman should wear pants while on a date at the movies.
Hi Steve,
Glad you came across the blog! I do have a sickness of sorts in trying to challenge some of the more vocal “Calvinists” out there; I just think they’re wrong, that Calvinism offers a richer heritage than these guys are letting anyone else onto, and thus my desire to challenge Clark and the Pyros, and whoever else π . My heart is truly to alert folks to a stream of Calvinism that apparently most know nothing of, esp. in America. If you stick around long enough maybe I’ll persuade you too π .
I’m glad you count me as brethren (I count all of these folks Mac, Piper, Horton, et al as brethren, thus my desire to reach into their camps); I’m afraid I do I think a woman should actually where a dress on a first date though π .