Calvinism

I was brought up as an Evangelical Christian. I was taught to believe John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I was also taught to obey Acts 2:38 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” So  believe on Christ Jesus and make a profession of faith in the act of immersion baptism. Basically Christianity is not that complicated.

Once many many years ago I remember hearing of Calvinism. It was a warning that some Presbyterian Churches followed John Calvin’s teachings from the Reformation. I didn’t know a thing about Calvin and I wasn’t too sure what the Reformation was at that time either. What I’m saying here is that I was oblivious to Reformation Theology and as there were countless denominations, and churches, that had no knowledge or concern about Calvinism. It made no difference to me or many other believers at the time.

Well things have changed. Due to the influence of secular humanism and the impact of liberalism on the Church as a whole. A large part of Bible Believing Evangelical Sector is now being slowly reabsorbed into Rome or has simply vanished as ageing parishioners have passed away.

So, we Christians who are not catered for in the Charismatic or Liberal Mainline Churches are left with few alternatives. Hence I have found myself in a Reformed Presbyterian Church and am having to come to grips with Reformed Theology, Calvinism and nuanced approaches to things like preaching style and the sacraments of baptism and holy communion.

Initially, I found it all rather strange and upsetting. I knew I needed to come to terms with the Reformed Theology or I wasn’t going to be able to stay. As always it comes down to learning about something and coming to understand it before you can finally make and assessment and a decision about it for the future.

So first I studied Calvinism. Calvinism is based on the teachings of John Calvin and speaks largely to the doctrine of Predestination and the sovereignty of God. It holds that a person is predestined by God to Salvation or Damnation. This has caused quite a controversy since the time of the Reformation with numerous proponents and opponents.

Since the time of John Wesley, Calvinism has been a minority teaching in the British Colonies. However, with the impact of liberalism and ecumenism weakening many denominations, it has made a strong resurgence. Largely it speaks to the nature of God and it can be a real bone of contention between believers with strong opinions but, it does not effect salvation and can be ignored with an attitude of love and tolerance. So it isn’t a problem unless it’s a problem.

Next is the Reformed Theology which embraces Calvinism and all things traditional to the opinions and approaches of the Reformers. So I’m talking again about sacraments like baptism and communion along with entrenched methodologies relating to issues like preaching style.

Baptism in the Reformed Tradition is focused on having congregants baptised as babies. Now the traditional thinking from Rome is baptise babies as fast as possible so they can be saved. While baptism in the Reformed Tradition does not relate to a persons salvation but when a baby is sprinkled they are considered to be baptised. Thus they do not require a further baptism when they reach the age of understanding.

My view is that a child may be dedicated or presented to the Lord as a baby and is supported by the church community but that this does not constitute baptism. It is however a very necessary and good thing. I don’t have a conflict with the Reformed Tradition here because I feel they are dedicating the child not baptising it.

Another issue in the baptism discussion is the sprinkling versus immersion debate. I believe a person is baptised at the age of understanding, or later, upon belief in Jesus work on the Cross at Calvary. I also believe that true baptism is immersion baptism where a person is completely immersed in water as John the Baptist performed it.

So, can I accept the Reformed Churches methodology in relation to baptism? In short yes I can. I don’t believe you can baptise a child but you can present and dedicate (Christen), a child. So I have not argument with what they do. In fact I applaud them that they are so fervent in this regard.

Do I accept that dedication is enough to cover a person’s baptism for life. No, not really. Baptism is not essential to salvation but it is a profession of faith and a time of beginning of ministry. As it was for Christ Jesus when He had John the Baptist perform baptism on Him. The Father said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Then Spirit descended on Him as a dove. So as it says in Acts 2:38 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Immersion baptism then signifies repentance and baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is a time of major blessing and a new beginning. I would certainly encourage any believer to get baptised and this could bring me into conflict with the Reformed Tradition and so result in censure. However, that would be a pretty extreme situation. So again, it isn’t problem until it’s a problem.

Another difference relates to the Reformed Tradition and the approach to the nature of the sacraments. Of which baptism as described above is one and the Lord’s Supper is another. With Holy Communion I would say the Reformed Tradition lies between Rome and the congregational churches approach. Rome holds that the priest is re-crucifying Christ each and every time the sacraments are given and the congregational approach is that the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper only symbolise the body and blood of Christ. I gather and I will stand corrected that the Reformed Tradition holds that bread and wine are more than just symbols of the body and blood of Christ and that there is a spiritual element to the performance of this sacrament and the nature of the bread and wine when it is employed.

This could be the case if you read what Christ Jesus said in Matthew 26: 26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant... However I would still tend to lean toward the congregational opinion that it is purely symbolism and not more than that. Although a very necessary part of Christian life.

Now another issue and the last I will discuss in this article that is different is the way preaching is handled in the reformed church. Whereas, preaching in congregational churches is topical and largely left to the preacher to decide on the issue to treat with a selection of scriptures applied during the sermon. In the reformed church preaching is performed using a scripture focused verse by verse and chapter by chapter methodology. Although this is limiting some latitude is given to the preacher to address issues in the church and to tie in other scriptures. It is different but it seems to work quite well and I wouldn’t say it’s a deal breaker. Although it can be a bit overwhelming if you take it as another part of the whole Reformed Theology which takes some adjusting too. Yet again, it isn’t a problem until it’s a problem.

So, as you can see there is definitely a need to understand what the Reformed Churches believe if you intend to join one of them. There are, I believe, real advantages to belonging to such a church. For a start the members of a reformed church are very earnest and search the scriptures. They hold strongly to the Reformed Tradition and can, and will, mount a defence of those doctrines. I can also state that if you join one of their congregations you will learn a lot more about church history, doctrines and traditions than you would have thought possible when you started the journey. You will be challenged and these caring and loving Christians will expect you to flourish and to grow.