I am not a Calvinist.  I don’t like systematic theology.  I don’t enjoy endless debate about the character and sovereign nature of God.  These things are neither fruitful nor soul-nourishing to me.  However, I also don’t like being insulted as “theologically light” simply for not agreeing with a particular interpretation of Scripture.  As if had I only studied more diligently and prayed more fervently, then I would understand.  Or, perhaps, it is not God’s will for me. (Yes, that is sarcasm.)

If I have something to say, if I really do want to put myself out there—teaching, speaking, writing, etc. then I need to be prepared for the kind of conversations (and accusations) that will surely await me.  I am not argumentative by nature, and I have many friends I care deeply about who place themselves squarely in the Reformed theology camp.  They idolize (er, admire) men who make me want to spit, curse and throw things.  Truthfully, I care mostly about this issue because it means so much to them.

But I can not reconcile their beliefs (i.e., their interpretation of Scripture) with my own interpretation, observation, tradition, and experience.  I simply can’t.  And maybe that’s just where I should respectfully leave it.

I’d love to hear some feedback on this one.

1. Anne Says:
   February 14th, 2010 at 10:20 am

   I have had pleasent conversations with some serious Piper fans and even read a few books on their recommendation. In the end I can’t embrace their point of view. It has become almost a passion of mine–Free Will. I have made peace that they at times pity me. If they think I need their prayers they are welcomed.

2. Rosemary Says:
   February 17th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

   I know where you’re coming from. What I don’t know is where all these Calvinists are coming from. Seriously, they are everywhere these days! My own family is still pretty much standard fundamentalist Pentecostals, not really Calvinists–but my husband’s family is totally in the hyper-Piper camp. Not a day goes by when one of them is not posting a Bible verse on Facebook about what wretched sinners they are, etc. I like what Anne says–”If they think I need their prayers they are welcomed.” I sometimes resent feeling like a large group of my friends think I am “backslidden” and unBiblical because I don’t agree with them or go to the same kind of church they do anymore, but I guess I should be glad they care enough to feel bad for me.

   I am still somewhat “in the closet” about my own disagreements with my fundamentalist friends, but I think they’ve cottoned on to the fact that I’m at least in a mainline denomination now and most don’t approve of that. It’s hard for me to come out completely and tell them how I really think because I am so non-confrontational.

3. PUT ME IN A BOX » Blog Archive » A New Kind of Christianity Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 12:29 am

   [...] few weeks ago, I wrote a somewhat emotionally reactive post about (hyper-) Calvinism and the seeming militant commitment to it by its adherents.  I didn’t [...]