Can I just say that I have been looking forward to this series since Dr. Dever mentioned it in the T4G blog many months ago. Great start and looking forward to much more! Thanks.

My former pastor highly recommended reading Spurgeon. He and I attended T4G together and were immensely blessed, and continue to be blessed from that conference. Neither of us are Calvinists.

I am not alone! A big part of my radical theological change was Spurgeon. One objection I had was that Calvinism wasn't a Baptist thing. I knew Calvinism was ugly and wrong (at least the limited atonement part!), or so I thought. Spurgeon helped prove me wrong, and helped me see the importance and beauty of Scripture's teaching concerning the sovereignty of God, as well as providing a model of evangelistic zeal in tandem with his view of sovereignty, since divine sovereignty and human responsibility are friends. I am grateful for Spurgeon's influence and that I am a part of a much larger group.

Dear Travis,
That's great. T4G isn't meant to be only for Calvinists!
Mark Dever.

I've read and recommended Spurgeon for 20 years despite his Calvinistic errors. No man is perfect after all. I recommend him not because of his theological system but for his love to God and his heart for God. This is more important than his adherence to any fallible theological system. This goes for my recommendations of Wesley or John Nelson Darby as well.

I hope the Reformed resurgence continues to those born in the 90s. I'm from the tail end of the 80s and desire to see my younger peers grow more mature and passionate for the doctrines of grace.

I think that this resurgence is rooted in something more basic -- a longing for real answers. Arminianism does not fully explain the biblical data of election, predestination, depravity, etc. One must perform a lot of mental gymnastics to get around these things.

One story from my own experience will suffice. I once sat under the ministry of a Dallas Seminary grad who preached about 80 sermons when going through the book of Genesis. When he was finished he polled the congregation about topics that they would like to see covered and someone asked him to explain election. His answer was a total cop-out. It went something like this: "The doctrine of election is too confusing. It is like gears in a machine that work opposite one another. I don't know that it will help anyone. I'll try another topic." I smelled a rat. If a guy could spent a 1 1/2 years preaching through Genesis (working with the original language) surely he could devote one sermon to this doctrine. His cop-out sent me on a quest where I would find out the answer (eventually in a PCA church).

Perhaps the up and coming generations are hungering for something of substance having been fed theological junk food for years. Reformed theology is something that will nourish, satisfy and sustain one's soul.

Dr. Dever,

You hit the nail on the head. I was reared in an independent, fundamental, baptist church. One of my pastors was fascinated by Spurgeon and quoted him often. These quotes were the seeds that took root and caused me to leave that church and become a Reformed Southern Baptist. If you are arminian beware of Spurgeon.

As a reformed Baptist who loves Spurgeon, I would only caution those who question Arminianism's consistency to remember that, though they are wrong in their conclusions, they are still brothers in Christ who must be loved. So disagree in love.
In any case, they will all be reformed in the end ;)

One other comment while I'm thinking about it.
Is there a free copy of Spurgeon's sermon on I Cor. 1:23-24 online somewhere?

While the content of this post was a great blessing, perhaps the part that has me most on the edge of my seat is the "Part 1 of 10" in the title.

I suppose I'm one of the guys who was introduced to Spurgeon much later. Curious to see if what was most influential to me makes Mark's top 10. This should be very worthwhile.

You can find it on the Spurgeion Archives site:
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0007.htm

Dr. Dever,
I too am one of these. I was given a 20 volume set of CHS sermons by my grandfather, a Baptist pastor of 53 years in Mississippi. That was critical for me, theologically speaking. I have been shaped by his writings very much. I even named my first child after CHS.

Blessings.
Barry Joslin

Incidentally, vol 1 sermon 1 of my set is titled, "Sovereignty and Salvation."

Dr. Dever,

I am a 30-something pastor that has recently embraced Calvinism. Spurgeon was immensly helpful to articulate the doctrines of grace (and the gospel itself) that I found in the pages of Scripture. (Of course, 9Marks.org lent a hand as well!)

I'm one of the "twenty-something" Calvinists, and I think attribute it to the realization that if God is not perfectly sovereign in every way, then He is not God. No offense to my Arminian brothers, but I think Arminianism ties God's hands with the handcuffs of our 'free will'. It was only after I realized this fact did I really explore the 'system' of Calvinism (spurgeon, etc.).

What a great series this will be! I was introduced to Spurgeon (who I had never heard of) through MacArthur's "Ashamed of the Gospel." I was hooked on those qoutes and immediately ran to Lifeway hoping to find some Spurgeon. I was disappointed to only find a small book called "The Forgotten Spurgeon" by Iain Murray. What an ignorant fool I was! I have now read that book at least 6 times and consider it among the most influential books in my life. The sweet smell of Spurgeon's calvinism helped to confirm mine which was in seed form thanks to RUF at Auburn University and a roommate I hated who was armed with the Appendix of "Putting Amazing Back into Grace."

At one time in my young life I believed the teaching of Swaggart and Oral R before coming to a belief in Calvinism which Spurgeon called a nickname for the gospel. I must confess that the #1 pull for me was whenever I read referanced comments from Calvin from different authors there seemed to always be a "God be the Glory" cloud if you will in what ever statement I read. I went from "me centered Gospel" to a God who is the Gospel...pardon the John Piper punn...I am amazed that not all benefit from Calvin's theology...I think it scares my pastor a bit after he learned I was reading Institutes...every since then he has "gently" been recommending me read from certain ones who are not as pro-calvin as I may be. I guess he's trying to lead me away from calvin and focus more on Rick Warren who he pretty strongly endorses. Given the fact that as my innauguration to being a deacon the first book he wanted myself along with a couple of others to read was "Purpose Driven Church."
First time to this blog...keep up the good work..

As a former HAC'er, Jack Hyles used to boast that he would go down in history like Spurgeon did. The Baptist Union tried to shut Spurgeon down, but now everyone loves Spurgeon but nobody remembers the names of any of his detractors.

When Hyles was being attacked for all his wacky beliefs, he ascribed the same legacy to himself.

He also told us not to read the theology of men like Spurgeon, Edwards, Whitefield, etc...only read about their lives because of their great character.

Oops...I read their theology anyways and realized that Hyles was no Spurgeon.

Hi, Mark:

I think you are right about Spurgeon and his influence. Growing up in independent Baptist circles and then going to Liberty University and Bob Jones University, Spurgeon was still "the Prince of Preachers" to which people pointed. I remember being confused hearing Dr. Bob Jr promote Spurgeon and then warn us that Calvinism would kill evangelism and our churches!!

That led me on a search and I found a little pamphlet--the sermons that were preached at the opening of MetTab on the five points of Calvinism. God used that pamphlet (along with Jonathan Edwards, Charles Hodge and a few others) to point me to the Bible and convince me on issues related to God's sovereignty.

Look forward to reading your blog from time to time...Sean

I've always thought the beauty of Spurgeon, for us Reformed & Southern Baptist types, was that he has great credibility with Arminian-leaning folk as well.

When he speaks, people listen. So, when he speaks on Calvinism it carries much greater weight (for many) than Augustine, Calvin, or Luther ... or even Paul.

Gunny, pastor
www.ProvidenceChurch.info
Garland, TX (SBC)

I'm pretty certain that the Passion movement has had a significant impact with the generation that's just recently graduated from college. There was a lot of seriously Reformed theology taught at those huge Passion gatherings that college students were going to, and they spread it to their friends.

The time has come for believers to understand their faith in order to stand against apostacy. The writings of the Reformers, Spurgeon,and Lloyd-Jones are helping to anchor a new generation on the firm foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for a pastor who faithfully and fearlessly preaches the Word of God.

Romans and Martyn Lloyd-Jones (recommended by my Calvary Chapel Bible College professor) did it for me. That, along with a few friends who continually challenged my shallow-rooted beliefs. After MLJ, I began reading Spurgeon and his contemporary equal Piper.

In seeking the historical causation of a resurgence of Calvinism, we shouldn't discount the power of the truth to prevail, especially when the weakness of other systems becomes more obvious over time.

The real question is why did Calvinism wain in the first place and is its apparent resurgence a matter of remaining standing while the hollowness of anthropocentric theologies devastates those movements and denominations that embrace them. In other words: Is Calvinism really "resurging" or just continuing to stand while the parasites of Arminianism destroys its hosts?

Thanks for this. Looking forward to the rest.

I have been pastoring for 32 years, have always preached the free will of man and whosoever will can come, but as of late I have come to realize that God's sovereignty is more than the truth that God knows all things, He controls all things. this does not exclude man's responsibility.
Pastor Delbert Hawley

As a recovering (:-)) SBCer (and now Sovereign Gracer) from the south raised in a Southern Baptist megachurch whose pastor was vehemently anti-Calvinist, I actually have found among my 20-something friends that a lot can be contributed to the influence of a non-Calvinist movement -- Passion. Passion introduced college students to John Piper, and I'm one of the many who I know who were drawn to the passionate vision of the glory of God that Piper preached.

I think Spurgeon and Packer's "Knowing God" have more significance for those in their 30s and 40s, but beginning in 1998, the Passion movement introduced us to John Piper's preaching and books, and I haven't been the same since. The accessibility of resources at Desiring God (EVERY sermon he's ever preached!) and winsome, compelling presentations of the doctrines of grace are largely what did me in.

Hello Mark:

Could you get a nice big picture of the Reformation Wall while you are in Geneva and post it on here? I can't find any good pictures of it online.

Personally I think the resurgence in Calvinism is tied to the younger generation's disgust with the shallow, man-centered, psychotherapeutic Christianity of their parents. They want depth and meat and that's exactly what Calvinism is.

I await part 2 with great anticipation.

Kirk,

I must agree with you. Passion is all about the glory of God, and therefore is all about Calvinism! It's amazing to me how this group of Reformed speakers (Piper, Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, Francis Chan) can share the Soverignty of God and be all about going out and sharing the gospel, and then have people (such as those at my SBC church) believe that Calvinists don't believe in missions.

I hope to see the Passion Movement continue to show the Glory of God, which will inturn bring up generations who see that Reformed Theology is God's Theology

Dr. Dever, this is my first time on your site, but definitely not my last! Keep up the good work!

Kirk,

I must agree with you. Passion is all about the glory of God, and therefore is all about Calvinism! It's amazing to me how this group of Reformed speakers (Piper, Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, Francis Chan) can share the Soverignty of God and be all about going out and sharing the gospel, and then have people (such as those at my SBC church) believe that Calvinists don't believe in missions.

I hope to see the Passion Movement continue to show the Glory of God, which will inturn bring up generations who see that Reformed Theology is God's Theology

Dr. Dever, this is my first time on your site, but definitely not my last! Keep up the good work!

I agree with Jesse Light...
It was the shallow, man-centered gospel that left me wanting meat. Once I started searching that out for myself online, the more I was led to calvinism.

Just giving my 2 cents of anecdotal evidence, I am a "born in the 70's" Calvinist who came to the doctrines of grace through the persuasion of Spurgeon's writings... which I first read in Independent Baptist newspapers like Sword of the Lord! They (and I) loved him for his evangelistic fervor. Years later in college when arguing against "caged Calvinists", I quoted Spurgeon, thinking he was "on my side". Instead, they pointed me to MORE Spurgeon, and in his sermons I found the truth and the joy of the doctrines.

Point being - it was definitely Spurgeon for me (and of course, behind Spurgeon was the Scripture he was preaching).

I'm a twenty-something Calvinist. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church pastored by a Calvinist. My personal journey to an understanding and embracing of the doctrines for myself came from reading (often recommended) George MacDonald's work. His arminian/universalist theological viewpoint left me as a teenager confused with "this is not what I was taught" red flags waving everywhere, but not understanding enough to figure it out. By that time, my Dad was the Calvinistic pastor of a Southern Baptist Church and he leant me one of the most life changing books I've ever read "The five points of Calvinism: defined, defended, documented" I was walking on air for days after I understood that Calvinism is about sovereignty and the awesomeness of a God who is fully sovereign. I've done more study on the subject (Loraine Boettner is another author introduced to me by my father) and never looked back. Esp. having grown up in Baptist circles, I have many Arminian friends and we agree to disagree....

Mark -

I was born in 1981, and in high school, I needed to explain to my Christian principal that I did not complete my anatomy homework because I stayed up late reading Spurgeon. I had an insatiable appetite for Reformed theolgy, especially from a baptist such as Spurgeon.

The teacher, who was the principal of a CRC school, looked at me like I was crazy. Although I do not endorse the absolution of responsibilities to homework, at that time in my life, our Lord used Spurgeon's writings to teach me of his sovereign grace, about which I desired to know more than the human body. I will be judged in Christ on the last day.

Mark -

I was born in 1981, and in high school, I needed to explain to my Christian principal that I did not complete my anatomy homework because I stayed up late reading Spurgeon. I had an insatiable appetite for Reformed theolgy, especially from a baptist such as Spurgeon.

The teacher, who was the principal of a CRC school, looked at me like I was crazy. Although I do not endorse the absolution of responsibilities to homework, at that time in my life, our Lord used Spurgeon's writings to teach me of his sovereign grace, about which I desired to know more than the human body. I will be judged in Christ on the last day.

I really appreciate this series.

To be honest, as much as I enjoy Spurgeon, I have read very little of his works. My "second blessing" which resulted in me becoming a Calvinist occured in seminary while training to become a Pentecostal Pastor (AD 2002). I was taking a class on "Pastoral" (?) Leadership. One of our texts was by Warren Bennis and the instructor was Calvin Miller. In the middle of the lecture, with all the power point charts and cute Shakespear references, I pulled out a little tract I had come accross by Horatius Bonar which dealt with the Holiness of God and the need for piety from his ministers. This was very meaningful and more contemporary then the business model that the seminary was promoting. I described the event in Pentecostal terms: I was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in a new tongue- that of God's sovereignty.

After seminary, when I got into the pulpit of my first and current church (Gateway Baptist Church), I realized that I had alot to learn and made many mistakes. Spurgeon and the other Puritans have been the most practical and relevant instructors I have ever had. One thing I have learned is not to promote my Calvinism too loudly so as to attract Calvinists- they tend to be very mean, lacking grace and joy. I would rather preach the doctrines of grace to people who have not come out of that tradition and allow the Word to transform them then to walk into a ready made Reformed church and try to shepherd a congregation of self appointed popes. Thanks for your ministry Dr Dever- it has really helped to shape mine here in Surrey, Canada.

Is there a resurgence or is the old battle vehemently waged against Calvinists simply less important to believers today?

Having grown up in the 50’s and 60’s and attending Bible College in the 70’s the verbal debates around Calvinism as some will recall where heated and sad. Isn’t it a blessing that we can explore opposing views in a spirit of Christian unity?

I’m of the opinion that the strong Calvinistic arm of Christianity is flourishing today not only because it’s doctrinally sound but also because the younger generation did not go through those bitter times of the past.

My number one reason for a resurgance of Calvinism would be a growing theological seriousness among those for whom eternal security was up there with the Trinity and atonement as undeniable doctrines.

Hi Pastor Dever,

I hope you're well. My sense is that the best understanding of Calvinism comes from reading Calvin himself. I recently finished a course on "The Institutes" by Calvin at Covenant Seminary. He developed a wonderfully coherent theology that I believe will be far more enduring than Spurgeon or the English Puritans. Spurgeon and the Puritans struck me as more enriching from a devotional perspective. Spurgeon was eloquent and uplifting to my soul. But to satisfy my intellectual curiosity, I go to Calvin first.

I have a sense that what will go (and I anecdotally see is going) hand in hand with a resurgence of Reformed theology is a move towards Orthodoxy expressed in high church, liturgy, and having things like Communion more regularly among several other trends. It is not clear to me that the Reformed resurgence is necessarily going to benefit the Baptist denomination in the longer run. Calvinism and modern Baptistic theology do not inherently go hand in hand if I am reading Book IV, Chapter 17 of my Institutes correctly (as well as the overall tone of Calvin generally). Calvinism strikes me more as a Covenantal theology whatever the shade of Calvinism you eventually land. Otherwise, it seems hard to go from Calvin to Baptist with all the presumptions, history, and changes ushered in as a result of the Enlightenment and the concept of man that underlie much of Baptist theology. It seems obvious to me why Reformed theology is not all that integrated into Baptist theology because it is not a natural marriag. Although that’s changing in some circles due to the admirable efforts of men such as yourself who are rightly emphasizing God’s grace in our salvation. My sense is that by teaching 20-year old Baptists about Reformed theology you're grooming a whole generation of future Presbyterians, which is not all that bad a denomination! You've successfully paved the way for me at least :)

It is with much admiration and gratitude that I write to you.

-Dennis

Its not just in the USA. The fastest growing new church grouping in the UK-New Frontiers-is calvanistic in theology. What makes them particularly interesting (and I should declare at this point that I'm a members of a New Frontiers church) is that they are both calvanistic and charismatic which is perhaps a less often seen combination.

I was however intrigued by the comment in the opening example in the article which appears to equate a desire for good preaching with calvanism. Clearly there are many fine church with high quality preaching which are not calvanistic in theology.

I remember reading through Spurgeon's "In Defence of Calvinism" and Piper's "Are There Two Wills in God?" at the same time my freshman year of college. What struck me was that Spurgeon was very gracious toward Wesley and his adherents, and Piper acknowledged that there were many Scriptures that had to be held in tension with the doctrines of election.

This frank admittance of the opposing soterilogical perspective's seeming strengths was a blast of fresh air for me after going through a painful church split over the doctrines of grace. To see that there could be unity through diversity really sunk a hook into my heart and drew me to realize that much Calvinistic doctrine was being rejected by myself due to the messenger, rather than the message.

As an aside... perhaps it is just me and scope of my reading, but I tend to notice much more of a vitriolic attitude from those Arminians that critique Calvinism, as opposed to their Reformed counterparts.

I have to admit to being a twenty-something Calvanist (and know many!) but Spurgeon seems to be less well-known here in Britain. Certainly I haven't ever encountered any of Spurgeon's teaching either in print or audio. I'm not sure whether one sermon reference counts! The impression I've always been given is that Spurgeon is helpful, but not as good as reading the real giants of church history - Calvin, Luther, Augustine, the Puritans etc etc. In fact, it wasn't until I read your blog that I even knew that Spurgeon was a Calvinist! (My Calvinism grew out of reading Grudem's Systematic Theology and John Owen's Death of Death. I'd really recommend the latter to anyone wanting to think about Calvinist-type issues.

I'm just out of highschool and have recently been reading quite a bit on Calvinism......I'm still learning, so I'm not sure quite where I stand......I look forward to gaining more understanding through these posts...thanks!

Thanks for this article! I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I am an 18 year old Calvinist, and I can say with confidence that what led me to Calvinism was a hunger for deep, God glorifying, articulate preaching.

After my conversion at age 16, I had an insatiable desire for Christian books. I would devour anything I could get my hands on! Being short on money, I was stuck to read all of the books that my mom and dad had, all written by Arminians.

At the time I grew under their teaching, but after a time, I was hungering for deeper teaching, not just the Christian psychology that was being taught to me. So we ordered satellite TV, and I started watching many teachers, and one who I was very impressed with was R.C. Sproul.

So, when Christmas came along, I made a list of books that I wanted, ALL from ligonier.org , and I read them with a skeptical attitude against Calvinism. As I read, I noticed that the caliber of teaching from the Calvinist authors was much higher. That was a good indicator.

Then, from being on the Baptist Board and watching the vehement debates on Predestination vs. Free Will, I began to actually be open. It really was finalized when I asked myself the question, "Could God predestine people to hell?" As soon as I asked that question, I knew it was over. I spent one night after a bitter debate with my brother on the issue of Calvinism praying to God and asking him to direct me in my theological views. The next day, I was a Calvinist.

Mark,
Thank you for the post and the series.

Your highlight of Spurgeon is quite appropriate. Although you cite the Pilgrim Publications reprints, the significance of the Banner of Truth reprint program cannot be underestimated.

The reprinting work of publishers like Pilgrim and BOT provided the raw material for the reformed revival we see today.

I thank God for cheap editions of Calvinistic literature. Those reprints made spiritual riches that were locked away in dusty libraries suddenly accessible to a young cowboy in Alberta, Canada of all places.

Praise God for raising up such laborers!

Sproul did it for me too.

I am a fiftyish former minister trying to reinter the ministry after years of wandering from being a Southern Baptist preacher's son to a Nazarene, Assembly of God, and a Charismatic minister for many years.

It took for me a serious investigation into the sordid and unsavory history of Pentecostalism in England and America for me to start questioning my spiritual experiences in light of the Bible and Reformed Theology.

I always thought of Calvinism as being Hyper-Calvinism. When I got under Reformed preaching it was like hearing the true gospel for the first time and I have had an unsatiable desire to learn about the doctrines of grace and the confessions such as the Westminster and the London Baptist Confessions.

I am delighted to hear that so many young people and young ministers are embracing the doctrines of the Reformers. I am so grateful for God to showing the way more perfect now.

I hope that Mark Dever will continue this series on the resurgence of Calvinism and that it will culminate into a feature lenght movie. Think for a moment the impact of a well produced and written movie about the Reformers such as Luther, Calvin, Knox,
Spurgeon, and many others. It brings tears to my eyes just imagining it. I pray that investors and benefactors will step forward and make this a reality.

Mark. You are bang on about Spurgeon being a major influence in the increased number of Calvinists. Here is what happened to me. In the late 1960s my father read John R. Rice's Sword of the Lord. Rice often reprinted a Spurgeon sermon in his magazine. My dad liked the sermons so ordered all 62 volumes of Spurgeons sermons from Pilgrim. My father became a Calvinist. So did I as a teenager after reading Spurgeon. Interestingly, it was noted at the time that Rice had edited out much of the Calvinistic references in the sermons he reprinted, without any editorial note that this was happening. But God is sovereign.

I am a 19 year old, recently turned, Calvinist.

I am the son of a pastor and did the Christian thing. I became prideful and walked away from God... Until, God came and dragged me back. After experiencing real grace, and under the teaching of Mark Driscoll, I was compelled to become reformed.

It seems funny to me that Calvinism seemed so foreign and unnatural to me... I could not understand how one could be motivated to follow God under such a scheme. But, low and behold, the wonderful grace of God is more compelling then any covenant of works!

In my group of friends we went from 1 to 6 Calvinists in less then a year.

I am a "Calvinist" because I know how I was saved and how I am being saved. There is no other way. Interesting to me is this fact: Calvinism as a system is in one sense highly logical and it is often attacked for that reason...i.e. "you only believe this because it appeals to your intellect." Nothing could be further from the truth. It is INCREDIBLY illogical to me that a holy God would drown me in His love. All men are born Arminians...that system appeals to my human intellect. But the Gospel really is TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, except it is TRUE!

You self made bunch of "human intellect"uals need to read the book entitled "The Other Side of Calvinism".
Note spelled backwards it says that Calvinism says:
"m(y) sin i(s) v(ery) Lac(king).

In my little old "Bible Believing Baptist Mind Set", your backwardness into Calvinism, is all there is in the sum total of your preaching about Waiting for faith in christ (not Seeking Faith in Christ). We do not faith people into the Kingdom, we go OUT into the Highways and yes, Hedges and challenge them to consider our belief that Jesus Christ died for THEIR sin, no matter who they are or how bad they are.

Some of you have turned to the PCA and I hope you stay there and stop your relentless destruction to destroy the only evangelical church that has truly made a difference in these Last of the Last Days - they truly are Turning the WORLD upside down again for Christ. May JESUS THE CHRIST be Praised and every man a liar who teaches that Jesus did not really die for everyone.

If you are easily offended by this, then that alone may be a reason for you to question your false religion.

In closing, my prayer is not for you but against your teachings. If you are genuinely saved I pray you will repent of the sin of CALVIN-ISM. If you do not remember the time when YOU ASKED Jesus to come into your heart and save you FROM your sins, then I also pray that you SEEK the Lord while He MAY BE (and can be) Found, before it is Eternally too late for your soul

Is that angry and hurtful comment going to be the last word?

I will post an encouraging word:) Thank you for these posts. I didn't read all of the comments but I wanted to add one thing to your list. I fit your desciption along with many of my friends. We are in our 20's and are reformed. I think another influence in this generation of the young "reformed" is the ministry of Mark Driscoll and his church planting organization Acts29.

I did not grow up in a Christian home and the church I go to is rather doctrinely shallow. When I was first introduced to "Calvinism," I wanted to throw up! But, once you see truth, you can't unsee it, and so for the next two years, I tried to question everything about it. In the end, I was convinced it is the teaching of Scripture. Looking back, that was the beginning of some serious growth in my Christian life. And, though I had read Spurgeon before, now I saw him in a completely different light. I struggle now with how much to probe in others, since I have found that Arminians are far more "anti-Calvinist" than Calvinists are "anti-Arminian." To me, it's like finding out that you have been adding 2+2 wrong. The light goes on and you want to help others, but they just don't see it. And you know their life will be better if they just realize 2+2 is 4 and not 5 - but you can't open their eyes for them ...

Paul,

I understand where this rant comes from. Arminians see Calvinism as the death of Christianity - but it is just not true. Sure, there are arrogant Calvinists - just like there are arrogant Arminians. And there are those to whom Calvinism and Christianity is just an intellectual exercise - but Arminians are not exempt from this either. Calvinists can misunderstand and distort doctrine into an excuse for being disobedient witnesses - but Arminians can, too.

Biblical Calvinism - i.e. the gospel - does not kill or stifle missions. Check out your missions history. It only strikes at the pride of those who share out of selfish motives (i.e. notches in their belt) and those who (perhaps unconsciously) want to have some say in their salvation.

I understand this rant, as I said - but it's a rant against 2+2=4. You can yell and scream all you want, but it doesn't change the truth. You can blast away at Calvin, at those who are convinced he got this right, at those who live as hypocrites - but in the end, your rage is not at them, but at the hard, unbending truth. Thankfully, true Truth is a person with flesh on ... ask Him to show you (and I) the truth - wherever it leads ...

And a cute little saying about Calvinism spelled backwards has no bearing on the truth ...

By the way, I am a Baptist as well ...

And while I believe that salvation comes in an instant, that instant is not always recognized by the individual - especially if they are more introspective ...

And, unfortunately, I do believe there will be those who were led in "the sinner's prayer" who will be in hell. We have faith in a Savior - not a system. We have faith in a Savior, not a prayer. We have faith in a Savior, not faith in faith.

____________________________
You self made bunch of "human intellect"uals need to read the book entitled "The Other Side of Calvinism".
Note spelled backwards it says that Calvinism says:
"m(y) sin i(s) v(ery) Lac(king).

In my little old "Bible Believing Baptist Mind Set", your backwardness into Calvinism, is all there is in the sum total of your preaching about Waiting for faith in christ (not Seeking Faith in Christ). We do not faith people into the Kingdom, we go OUT into the Highways and yes, Hedges and challenge them to consider our belief that Jesus Christ died for THEIR sin, no matter who they are or how bad they are.

Some of you have turned to the PCA and I hope you stay there and stop your relentless destruction to destroy the only evangelical church that has truly made a difference in these Last of the Last Days - they truly are Turning the WORLD upside down again for Christ. May JESUS THE CHRIST be Praised and every man a liar who teaches that Jesus did not really die for everyone.

If you are easily offended by this, then that alone may be a reason for you to question your false religion.

In closing, my prayer is not for you but against your teachings. If you are genuinely saved I pray you will repent of the sin of CALVIN-ISM. If you do not remember the time when YOU ASKED Jesus to come into your heart and save you FROM your sins, then I also pray that you SEEK the Lord while He MAY BE (and can be) Found, before it is Eternally too late for your soul

I find this treatise to be a great exercise as it has been a subject of much debate from the circles of which I've been associated. I love the Doctrines of Grace for the very fact that they are biblical and quite simply Calvin or Spurgeon or any other man has no ownership to their orgin. I was at one time on the pastoral staff of a prominent Baptist Church in Canada that was always a strong fundamental, Calvinistic Baptist Church in it's earlier years. The church was always focussed upon missions and soul-winning and the Lord blessed that work with an abundance of souls won to Christ. The pastor was a strong Calvinist who emulated Spurgeon in many ways and was called home to be with the Lord in the 1950's.
Today, sadly, this church is no longer fundamental, nor a soul-winning or mission minded church. Yet it boasts of it's "reformed baptist" tradition. In essence and in in theory it has become a hyper-calvinistic church. Now I would suggest that in my observation it is not the doctrines of grace that has caused some local churches to fall away from their mission and mandate, but rather a faulty understanding and misapplication of the doctrines of grace.
So the Arminian churches in many ways label Calvinists as lukewarm at best concerning winning the lost to Christ, and to their credit their charges are warranted. In many circles of reformed churches I have witnessed this epidemic. Spurgeon understood the biblical doctrines of grace and having loved His Lord and having loved souls he went out with this confidence preaching the gospel and compelling sinners to be saved. He had not only a grasp of the sovereignty of God but he understood and captured what the grace of God was all about. In other words he had a correct understanding of the Scriptures. In his words he termed it "Calvinism" but in his practice and mission he simply preached, proclaimed, and compelled sinners to come to Christ and rested confidently in our Sovereign God to do His work in the hearts of sinners. That simply is biblical.
I have also sat on the other side of the fence and have had people condemn Calvinism and indeed radically root it out from within their churches, but with the same breath they praise Spurgeon. I believe in this case they fear Calvinism in their churches because it will kill their evangelistic zeal. Again, thier fears are misapplied. The Doctrines of Grace do not kill evagelistic zeal, on the contrary they enhance it. It is the doctrines of grace which are misunderstood by carnal men that kill evangelistic zeal. This is hyper-calvinism. Any biblical doctrine can be misused, misapplied and abused by those who have not had a good grasp and grounding of truth. So my argument is that we must be careful to understand the root cause of why Calvinism seems so appealing today. Could it be that it has become appealing because it has not been properly understood? Has it become the lazy Christian's choice of theology because they misunderstand Calvinism to sugggest that God will save whom He will, with or without their help? In this post modern world of "feel good" theology and "consumer" Christianity it would seem that at the least the above argumment is a strong possiblity for the new appeal of Calvinism. It is this that I fear, not the doctrine itself.

To quote someone (I have no idea who said it first, I got it from Matt Chandler though)
"I live like an arminianist and sleep like a calvinist"

What attracted me to Calvinism about 15 years ago was Calvin himself. I read books that would quote Calvin and I began to be hungry for more and I searched out and found as many books I could that Calvin wrote. I was attracted to Calvinism by Calvin and have about everything he wrote. Of course I have many writing on Spurgeon and Edwards, Luther and many more.

Louie Giglio at Passion Network is having a big effect on collge age young people towards Calvinism.

In the UK I was led to discover Calvinism and the doctrines of grace through Terry Virgo at Downs Bible week in 1982 recommending a book called The Forgotten Spurgeon. That led me to the Banner of Truth publishing house which opened up a whole world including Calvin, the Puritans, George Whitefield, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, plus the whole wonderful subject of revival.

In the 25 years since then I've found it impossible to escape the conclusion that the Bible teaches the essential points of "Calvinism" from beginning to end.
And I'm a charismatic!!

Sir: I have read some of your materials, and I know my son loaned me your book on the 9 marks (is it yours?) I was converted 12-7-57 in St. Lous by a vision(?) of Christ standing at my door knocking. I fled the scene, but he followed & opened the door for me (Rev.3:20 & Acts 16:14). Called to preach in Spring of '58. Intro. to the doctrines of grace. Did not accept at first. ot until in first pastorate. Helped by Puritan David Clarkson as well as Richard Sibbes. Began preaching Sovereign Grace in 1963. Began to learn how to really preach it in 72-73 while a student at SEBTS. Pastored in Sandy Creek Assn for 11 years. Great Discovery in Euseldin's intro to Ames' Marrow: "predestination is an invitation to begin one's spiritual pilgrimage." First applied to Roma.9:13. The Hardest Text in the Bible. It is an invitatin to be saved, to receive God who does not think like we do, "It is written," He just lets it all hang out, God who does not work like we do, ":Jabob have I loved,: & God who does not act like we do, "But Esau have I hated." (Esau could have said,"With an enemy like God who needs any friends." He is the only man I ever knew of who had more than enough. He said, "I have enough." Jacob pressed more on him & he took it..so more than enough, Besides God treated him with love. JOHN GILL: "GOD TREATS THE WICKED SO WELL THAT NO MAN IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD CONDEMN GOD FOR SENDING SUCH A PERSON TO HELL"...IN THE LIGHT OF THAT INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSE TO SUCH A GOOD TREATMENT.

I'm amazed how the posts boast of Spurgeon and Calvin and of MEN but hardly a mention of Jesus.

Warning to you my friends -If you have not asked Jesus to be your LORD and saviour,and have not repented for being EVIL, have not turned away from your life of SIN,if you have not laid down your life DAILY to follow Him and Him only, and are not living in a personal, living RELATIONSHIP with Him in His WORD and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:27 - HE is your teacher -not MAN!) You are in great DANGER. You must know Jesus as LORD, live a life of worship (in SPIRIT and in TRUTH), HONEST fellowship (from your HEART - Tell Him what you REALLY feel and thinK - not what you want him to hear, and He will meet with you and speak to you. You won't like all of what he shows you - but see 1 John 1:9 Praise GOD! - He's a loving Father! )and radical OBEDIENCE. Jesus gives many a warning to those who follow the teachings of MEN and not by living in His WORD and in The Spirit.

Jesus Died for the WHOLE world (1John 2:2) (come on, lay aside your doctrinal bias, ASK the Holy Spirit for TRUTH - you MUST desire TRUTH, even if it OFFENDS you!) and those who come to Him come by their own FREE WILL. Those who choose not to, will be judged and condemned to eternal TORMENT. God is not responsible for men who 'love darkness rather than light', and REJECT Jesus 'because their deeds were evil'.(see John 3:19) To suggest God predestines man to hell is SLANDER against God's character, and to teach 'Once saved always saved' is against the teachings of God's word and allows men an excuse to sin. 'For if we sin wilfully after that we have recieved the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins' (Heb 10:26) -read the following verses to teach to to FEAR God and keep yourself from Hell. God will not be mocked and God will hold you accountable for not loving the truth and will SEVERELY deal with you. Calvinism is a damned lie - (or a lie which will damn.)

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye PERISH FROM THE WAY". Psalm 2:12) Repent of this foul doctrine. Cry out to Jesus for TRUTH, even to your own hurt. Cast the doctrines of men into the bin, where they belong and cry out to HIM who is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life.

Freinds, you must KNOW Jesus Christ. Do all you can to get to know him -if you must, give up your job, all of your dreams and forsake ALL YOU HAVE so you may KNOW HIM. Do you know you must LOVE God MORE than your wife and children -are you ready to forsake THEM for HIS sake? Be prepared!- we are in the last days.

I Love Jesus will all my heart, strength and soul, and HE KNOWs ME, because together we have be through 18 years of torments, miseries, struggles, joys, victories, failures and the many calls to obedience which have left me at times trembling at the knees, but obeying God rather than pleasing man.

He is my Beautiful Lord and saviour, my shepherd and my faithful God. He IS my life, in every breathing moment that I can live.

Seek God, cry out to Him if you must, but get to KNOW Him. Sell all you have and give it to the poor if He tells you to, because He has something much, much more for you.

'I love them that love me' (PROV 8:17). Friends, LOVE is given FREELY. Don't be decieved -YOU must initiate with THIS God. When Jesus died on the Cross he cried 'It is finished!' It's up to you now. Reject the lies of Calvinism. God hates this doctrine with a passion and will not tolerate those who speak ill of Him and slander His Holy Character.

God gave Jesus in LOVE -He died for us of His own free will. Will you do the same for HIM?

Now I have to go and collect my daughter.

My comment is to the above post. You say Christ died for all, do you not. You need to go to Matt. 26:28 where he says that his blood is shed for many. This is Christ on words.

John 10:11, 15 he says he dies for his sheep. Are all sheep? If you believe they are, then you believe all will be saved.

Again Christ himself said that no man could come to him except his Father draw them. You however say men come by their freewill. You do not believe what Christ says. No man CAN come except the Father draw him.

Why does not God draw all. Christ says that those the Father gives him shall come. Read John chapter 6. If those that the Father gives shall come, then this rules out your statement that he dies for all. because all do not come.

John 1:13 states that it is not by the will and Romans 9:16 says it is not by the will, but 1 Cor. 3:6 states we come by the increase God gives.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Some do not know the scriptures.

1 John 2:2 does say he died for the whole world. This is Jews and Gentiles. But not every individual in the world.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

He died for his church Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25 He gave himself for his bride. He purchased his bride and not every individual in the world.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.