Just in case you are still under the delusion that being a ‘Reformed’ Christian equals or necessitates being a 5 point Calvinist; let us hear from I. John Hesselink in his book “On Being Reformed” (which I just finished):
All this not withstanding, we are also children of the Reformation with its recovery of certain evangelical themes: the Word alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone. More particularly, we are a part of a specific Reformation tradition known as Reformed or Presbyterian. Although many in this tradition call themselves “Calvinists,” others do not rally around the five points of Calvinism: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints (often referred to by the acronym TULIP). These so-called points do not come from Calvin but from the Canons of Dort, which were composed in the Netherlands over fifty years after Calvin’s death. The Reformed tradition does not stem from Calvin alone. Before him there were other Reformed reformers—Zwingli, Bucer, Oecolampadius, and Farel, to name only a few—and there were others who worked with him or were indebted to him such as Bullinger, Knox, and Beza. [I. John Hesselink, On Being Reformed, 89]
And this coming from a man, Hesselink, who would probably affirm all five points of the TULIP. I just want to make this point clear for anyone who might wrongly assume that being a Reformed Christian, or even a “Calvinist,” means that this person or theologian must then also affirm the TULIP; they do not! That is all …
PS. Oh, when Hesselink refers to “Presbyterian” in his quote, he is not referring to the denomination, but a form of church government and polity.
There’s no delusion for me, Calvinism (so-called) comes in many forms, but which “form” is ‘Calvinism best’? Is still a perennial issue! And we cannot escape the history of the TULIP in Calvinism certainly. It still is a useful direction or tool I think. Personally, I am gathered toward the constant idea of Reformed Scholasticism, but always with the Holy Scripture in finality!
Btw, I have never been won to ‘Evangelical Calvinism’. But you know this! π But, I will read your new book when available. I hope all of us Calvinist types, can be more friendly with each other! Note I am still somewhat friendly with the FV.
Yes, but there is delusion for many; to them I speak. I am not suggesting we need to escape the TULIP, but we do need to recognize its historical situadedness (even Muller thinks this). So this post is directed more toward the pew than the lectern.
You’ll have to check out our book, Fr Robert. Our last chapter, the one co-written by Myk and I, entails 15 Theses on Evangelical Calvinism; it is quite substantive, I think, anyway stay tuned.
Bobby,
I look forward to reading it, especially the chapter you have co-written! π
I agree that the TULIP is part of the Reformed history, but it cannot really be a negative to my mind. But it is a theological grid.
Bobby,
Kenneth Stewart’s Ten Myths About Calvinism ably demonstrates the variety within Calvinism from historical perspective and is worth the read. The first four chapters address for things Calvinists should know about Calvinism and are the chapters I enjoyed because of the correction brought to those trying to forward a very narrow Calvinism, one that excludes others who would still legitimately fit within the Calvinistic camp.
Ian,
I too liked the first several chapters, but I must confess I don’t like the title of the book, however.
Fr Robert,
Alright on the book! TULIP, well, you know what I think.
Ian,
Great to hear from you. Hope all is going well (I still pray). Yeah, I still need to get my hands on that book. Randy Boswell has done an extensive review of it at his blog (his blog is in my sidebar “Reformed and Always Reforming”).
This might be helpful for me. Thanks. I am coming back to Protestantism but I reject (firmly) at least two of the petals of Tulip.
Hi Jacob,
Did you convert to Orthodoxy for awhile? What has prompted you to come back to Prot? I’m glad you are. I hope EC is helpful for you, our book is going to be out any day on Evangelical Calvinism.