My 'Evangelical Calvinist' Testimony

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I thought I would just take a moment to explain how and whyΒ I became an Evangelical Calvinist.

I was born and raised as a Conservative Baptist Pastor’s kid (PK). The theology I was reared in was what could be identified today as Free Grace Theology (a la someone like Zane Hodges). Really, in those days we would have just called our theology ‘Biblicist’. As you can already tell, my cultural background, then, is “American Evangelical.” I lived and moved in this kind of theology for years and years (I’ve been ‘saved’ now for 33 yrs); in fact I always believed that Calvinist theology (TULIP) style was totally sub-Biblical (still do). Out of high school I was pretty nominal in myΒ Christianity, then a few years out of high school the Lord brought some pretty hard circumstances into my life; the kind that really wake you up to Him, afresh. At this point I started evangelizing, reading through the scriptures, memorizing the scriptures, and reading all of the theology and Biblical studies stuff I could get my hands on. That wasn’t enough, so eventually I enrolled into a Bible College (Calvary Chapel Bible College in Southern California — where I’m from originally). Calvary, theologically, is semi-charismatic, but more importantly, they are functional Arminians (like most Evangelicals) in their soteriology. I attended this school for a year, but it just wasn’t enough (the fellowship was great, but it just wasn’t robust enough — doctrinally, and they believed in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which I couldn’t get on board with [as a good Baptist]); so I enrolled at Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR. This was what I was looking for, my profs were trained theologians and exegetes, and provided the kind of foundation I was really thirsty for. I went through all of my undergrad, still holding onto my “Free Grace Theology,” relative to soteriology; I still couldn’t believe that any self-respecting Christian could hold to the TULIP (even though most, if not all of my profs at Multnomah [in the undergrad] did, to one extreme or the other [usually quite moderate, and never really explicitly articulated] — I should say that some of my profs were in fact “Free Grace Theology” guys, many of my profs there were Dallas Theological Seminary grads). Then I went on to Seminary, still at Multnomah. I entered my Masters program with all kinds of enthusiasm and excitement about this next stage in my theological education. It was finally at this point that I was exposed to historical theology through Dr. Ron Frost (I only brushed over historical theology in my undergrad coursework, only incidentally in my systematic theology classes, as it came up). Ron advocated (and still does πŸ˜‰ ) what he calls ‘Affective Theology’. This really turned me onto “Calvinist” ideas (or Augustinian) relative to the ‘ordo salutis’ etc. I would consider Affective Theology as a strain of Calvinism (even though Ron would demur on this), one that was anti-Westminster, anti-TULIP, and anti-Federal in orientation. To make a long story short, this orientation opened me up to what would eventuate in Evangelical Calvinism. So I graduated from seminary, I kept reading, reading, reading; then in 2005 I began blogging, and became exposed to other folks (one of my primary joys when I first started blogging was debating with MacArthurites over at the Pyromaniacs). I came into contact (through Halden Doerge, who also attended Multnomah — although after me) with some guys at Princeton Theological Seminary; as a result of some interaction, and paying attention to what and who they were reading, I started reading stuff on Karl Barth (and Barth himself). This opened up whole new vistas for me (even though I had already had a whole semester of Barth studies in seminary under Dr. Paul Metzger), his view of election and predestination (in its basic shape) was something that totally made sense to me — and it seemed highly Biblical, and most of all christocentric. As I continued to interact with a couple of these guys, one guy in particular (Travis, or WTM) mentioned a fellow by the name of Thomas F. Torrance, and he said that he followed Scottish theology versus Federal Calvinism; this piqued my interest, to say the least. HeΒ suggested that I read Torrance’s “The Mediation of Christ,” so I did, and I loved it. So of course, I headed to Multnomah’s library to see what else I could find of Torrance’s. I stumbled upon his book: “Scottish Theology: From John Knox to John McLeod Campbell.” I started reading the book, made it about 1/4 of the way through, and lost interest; I read other things, but I was still intrigued. So I went back, checked it out, and read it through; this book really changed my whole world (seriously, btw, I had read other TFT books prior to getting into this one)! This was the first time I ever heard the language of “Evangelical Calvinist,” which TFT used in this book. And this is the first place that I heard the concepts of Evangelical Calvinism articulated. That was it, not immediately, but as I stewed with this for awhile, I finally decided to own these ideas for myself; so I started to post on it a bit. That same friend, from Princeton (Travis) emailed me an essay by Dr. Myk Habets, it was entitled “Evangelical Calvinism: T. F. Torrance as a Case Study,” this essay totally help solidify and clarify some things for me (it provided a nice structure to place Torrance’s thought in); I quoted something from this essay, and wouldn’t you know it, but Myk commented on it. From that point on I decided it was time to “come out” πŸ˜‰ , and confess my allegiance to ‘Evangelical Calvinism’; I thought what better way to concretize this, as a blogger, to start a blog with this as the title (even with all of my past history and aversion to anything ‘Calvinism’) — which is what you’re reading right now. Since then, at Myk’s prompting, we are writing a book on Evangelical Calvinism; and I am going to be doing a PhD on “the vicarious humanity of Christ, with special focus on TF Torrance” (that’s the tentative project, anyway) under the supervision of Myk.

So that’s kind of m personal history of salvation in regards to the road I’ve taken to “Evangelical Calvinism.” “EC”, for me, bares very little resemblence to Classic Calvinism or Arminianism — even though it holds to many of the fundamental tenents that both of those do (like the primacy of God’s grace, His sovereignty, etc.). I am proud to say that I have never held to “limited atonement” in my life; I’ve never been able to find that in my Bible (ever). I thought this might be an interesting exercise, and I hope you have found it at least interesting enough to read to this point πŸ™‚ .

I wonder how many of you would claim to be an Evangelical Calvinist? It almost seems that I haven’t done a good enough job to provide a basic understanding so that many of you would feel comfortable to self-identify as an EC’r. Hopefully, once the book comes out, you all will have an even clearer understanding on this front.

24 thoughts on “My 'Evangelical Calvinist' Testimony”

  1. Well told, Bobby. My story looks very similar. I grew up in a Conservative Baptist church and ingested free grace soteriology, though I did have a stop over in limited atonement land for a good 3 or 4 years, after which I strongly overreacted and basically became a pluralist for a year or so before having my world rocked by Barth and Torrance. In company with you and others who know what it means, I am happy to call myself an Evangelical Calvinist but I have to admit I don’t use the term frequently because it doesn’t signify much to most people. Once the book is out, hopefully that will start to change πŸ™‚ For now I just avoid any labels and talk about Barth and Torrance for those that know them, and for those without a background in theology I just talk about universal atonement and the “impossible possibility” that we might reject and thus falsify the new reality it has created for us.

    Will you be moving to New Zealand for you PhD? Your topic sounds awesome. Any chance you’re going to make it to the Torrance Fellowship meeting at AAR?

  2. Bobby, what is this ‘Free Frace Theology’ about? I only know of Hodges through J. McArthur’s book. A book I read many years ago and I can’t remember the title anymore. If my memory serves I think that Hodges was involved in the whole Lordship/Salvation stuff, is that right?

  3. Hello Bobby,

    Thanks so much for your work on this blog. May I request for a copy of Dr. Myk Habets’ essay, the one you mentioned in your post. My early experience with “Calvinism” is from Packer and Sproul. I would like to learn as well from Torrance.

  4. Hey Bobby,

    Thanks for sharing your background. We have much in common, although I must admit the guys over at Triablogue (i.e., Steve) are making some inroads in my theological thinking.

    You wrote, “I am proud to say that I have never held to β€œlimited atonement” in my life; I’ve never been able to find that in my Bible (ever).”

    I too have a limited atonement background but one question I don’t have a satisfactory answer to is: If Christ atoned for all men’s sins (individually), what are people in hell being punished for? Have you thought about that question?

  5. Adam,

    Thanks for sharing your road, a bit too. When you say “pluralist,” what do you mean?

    Yeah, EC is more provocative or confusing to most people who hear it right now. I try to use it just to be provocative, usually (to cause people to stop and ask: “what’s an EC?”). But I hear you. To be honest, I’d prefer to just be called ‘Christian’, seriously, but for precision sake (in-house amongst Christians), I use EC πŸ™‚ .

    Actually the school is in South Africa. There has been an arrangement made, which allows Myk to be my supervisor through that school. It will be done by distance. No, I don’t think I’ll be able to make the TF meeting, unfortunately. Are you going to be there?

  7. Hello Arlan,

    Yeah, let me see what I can do on that essay.

    EC is definitely a 180 fro Packer and Sproul. I would like you to learn from Torrance too.

    Stay in touch, and I’ll see what I can do with that essay, for you.

  8. Hi Passing Through (do you have a name?),

    I would like to steer you clear of the Triablogue crew. They are certainly intelligent sharp cookies, but they are roundly centered in the ‘kind of Calvinism’ that this blog severely opposes in orientation.

    Yes, I have thought about your question. There is a long answer to that (which is really needed), and a short answer; I’m going with the short answer at the moment πŸ™‚ . Folks who are in hell are there because they have for whatever inexplicable reason rejected their life in Christ (not because they weren’t elect).

    What you should do is go to my sidebar or to the top of this blog and click on “The Themes of Evangelical Calvinism.” But before you do that, scroll down from this post to a couple before this, and watch the video I did on the “extent/intent of the atonement,” I actually provide a sketch of how EC thinks about your question, there.

    Thanks, PT

  9. That’s awesome about arranging a distance PhD with Myk.

    When I say pluralist, I mean loosey-goosey “Christianity is one among many valid religions” Liberalism. Yeah, I was consciously or subconsciously gravitating that way for about a year or two.

    Yep, I’ll be at the TFT meeting. I’m giving a paper on the implications of Christ’s assumption of a fallen human nature for doctrine of Scripture at AAR for the Christian Systematic Theology section. It’ll be my first time at AAR too!

  11. Hi Bobby! I must say that I am an EC although I am still working on how to thoroughly articulate it. I don’t have a complete wrap on everything, but I have a basic understanding. I have been a Christian for 5 years now. In my early Christian years I was all about lordship salvation. I am an evangelist and I must say I was zealous for God but not in accordance with knowledge. I was very well meaning with my preaching and teaching, but I was very harsh and critical of people. I have read a lot of Christian books with varying theologies. I read some John MacArthur and Mark Driscoll, and listened to men like Paul Washer, but I never endorsed the TULIP framework. I was more Arminian in my theology, but I never fully endorsed their framework either. I also used to be a hardcore dispensationalist, but I really have gotten away from it within the last year and a half. I have no particular eschatological stance right now, I just know that I will never hold to dispensationalism again. I am pursuing an online Associate of Arts degree in Christian Ministry right now and who knows after that. I love to study all the different areas of the Christian faith!I love the word of God. Jesus is so amazing! He is all in all!

  12. Adam,

    Yeah, very excited about the PhD situation!

    Well I’m glad you’re back in the “fold,” brother πŸ™‚ .

    Your paper sounds really good! Do you think I could get a copy when you’re done with it . . . please? πŸ™‚

    Where is the AAR this year?

  13. Chris,

    Man, thank you for sharing your testimony; that is so awesome! I am so glad you’re in a loving relationship with Jesus . . . totally awesome. Seriously, thanks for sharing that πŸ™‚ ! It sounds like the Lord has given you lots of discernment, esp. since you’re declaring yourself an “EC” πŸ˜‰ πŸ™‚ πŸ˜‰ . Hopefully you will have more clarity once our book is published (probably a year, maybe sooner, from now).

    I’m totally encouraged, Chris! I love to come across brothers like you. Everything is very fresh and exciting (the way it should always be for us believers). He is all in all, amen!!!

  17. Hi Bobby!

    I’m assuming you know already, from our numerous comm/replies (how else do you call it?). But like you, bible church free grace from high school, If you’re not Calvinist I guess your Arminian, but I never liked the choices. I was in a full gospel gig for a couple years, but always argued against Lordship salvation, and for once saved always saved. I listen to alot of radio, read recommended books, one from Packer and one from James White. Nice guys, smarter, more educated than me, but wrong on salvation. I got connectivity about 1 1/2 years ago, and found GES (free grace) guys again. Even their gospel is too straight jacketed, because you have to have the right formula. GES guys lead me to Rose’s and Michelle’s, KC’s with Jim, and You were there. “Why ‘Calvinism’? Yeck.” I remember asking you about your nom.
    It took a while for me to be convinced you weren’t still going to pull a sovereignty of God out of a hidden pocket. I think we are past that now.
    Well, I like that EC is Christ centered. I never did think that belief, trust, faith, was a “work”. It is plain that He has done it all right up to “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me”. I’m really loving some of the pictures EC draws. I don’t know Barth, but Torrace does beautiful landscapes of the Incarnation, of carnal union and spiritual union, that I can’t wait to get deeper into.
    If there was a decree hidden there under any other name, or loyalty tests to learn if someone is really a Christian, I’d be gone like a con.
    Yeah, color me EC. :O)

  18. Hi Bobby,

    I don’t read all the posts at Triablogue. I generally limit my reading to the posts that Steve writes. I’m aware that he espouses a position different from EC but don’t see that as a good reason to steer clear. To my way of thinking, he argues for his positions very well.

    Regarding the question, if the long answer is really needed, then I’ll wait for the long answer. Can you refer me to a place where EC provides the long answer?

    I watched the video you suggested. You kind of lost me around 05:00 when you said, β€œHe elected our humanity, and, in so doing, He elected our reprobation.” I’ll have to read through some of the β€œThemes” to see if what you are getting at makes any sense to me.

    Thanks.

  19. Hey Duane,

    Thanks for sharing your road, too. It’s interesting how we get to where we get to, theologically. I’m glad you feel comfortable saying you’re “EC.” I’d be gone in a second too, if I believed there was some sort of hidden Calvinism within EC πŸ™‚ .

  20. PT,

    I’m not suggesting that Steve doesn’t argue forcefully and cogently, but it’s exactly that that in my mind does not substantiate his Calvinism (his logical/causal reasoning) — and he thinks it does.

    Really, the “long answer” is grounded in an approach and attitude, first. The first thing that has to be dealt with is the kind of divine math or rationalization that Classic Calvinism operates out of. The kind of thinking that says if Jesus died for all, then what are people in hell for. There is no such correlation between who Jesus died for and who is in Heaven — and who isn’t. Jesus is supreme over death and life, He is the firstborn over all creation (cf. Col 1.15ff). This is the frame EC uses to think through your question. EC thinks that question starts at the wrong place, with the wrong expectations. We aren’t concerned about God’s sovereignty being frustrated, because we already see Him as supreme universally over death and life in the resurrection. Why someone rejects Christ now remains inexplicable. Certainly the god of this age has blinded the minds of folks from the light of the Gospel, but given the fact that the HOly Spirit is convicting the world, it remains inexplicable that all men aren’t saved (but they aren’t).

    Maybe I need to do a post dealing directly with your question.

  22. Oh, that is funny πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ .

    In fact, when I’m in the right mood, I still like to make cameos over there πŸ˜‰ . . . you know that πŸ™‚ !

  23. Your welcome Bobby! Thank you for the encouragement! I would love to get a copy of the EC book as soon as it comes out….Jesus is beautiful and glorious and majestic…And I will leave you with this…”To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -2 Thessalonians 2:14

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