Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?
Today I decided to drop by BaptistBoard, a online Baptist bulletin board where there are discussions on Baptist history, theology, evangelism, and other Christian denominations. I usually spend a few minutes in each of those forums and read 2-3 articles that appeal to me. Usually, the Other Christian Denominations forum is full of discussions on Catholicism, atheism, and everything in between. I was a bit surprised to find the forum full of discussions on Calvinism, considering that about 10% of Baptists are Calvinists and about 25% of new Baptist seminary graduates are Calvinists.
So, the questions "What is Calvinism" and "Is Calvinism a False Doctrine" in a forum labeled "Other Christian Denominations" somewhat begs the question "Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?" From my viewpoint outside of Calvinism and the Baptist faith, I can easily answer "yes", based on the meaning of "denomination". Denomination is of Latin origin and means "from the name". We should ask if Calvinism de-nominated from another branch of Christianity and from whom. John Calvin and his followers did in fact denominate and they denominated from the Catholic Church. So Calvinism is a denomination.
Is Calvinism a false doctrine? No, Calvinism is not a doctrine, but a collection of doctrines, some true and some false. As we know, all truth is from and of God and leads us to know and love God more fully. In that light, the true doctrines within Calvinism lead us to love and serve God; however, the false doctrines present impediments to knowing God fully. False doctrines are also known as heresies. So, the presence of heresies within Calvinism makes Calvinism a heresy and a popular modern heresy at that. That is what lies at the heart of the current conflict between Calvinists and non-Calvinists within the many Baptist associations.
Fortunately, many folks are attracted to Truth and always seek the Truth. These folks will eventually reject those doctrines that Calvinism got wrong, but will retain those doctrines Calvinism has right and move into more mainline Protestant denominations that contain an even greater proportion of the truth. Some will even move into Catholicism, Judaism, and Orthodoxy in search of the fullness of Truth. The recent Pew survey indicates that about a third of Christians are actively engaged in this search for the fullness of Truth.
Those interested in reading the stories of Calvinists who sought out the fullness of truth will find no shortage on the Internet. Here are a few:
Marcus Grodi
Rodney Beason
Christopher Cuddy
Where does one find the fullness of truth? In the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Source: BaptistBoard: Other Christian Denominations
So, the questions "What is Calvinism" and "Is Calvinism a False Doctrine" in a forum labeled "Other Christian Denominations" somewhat begs the question "Is Calvinism Another Christian Denomination?" From my viewpoint outside of Calvinism and the Baptist faith, I can easily answer "yes", based on the meaning of "denomination". Denomination is of Latin origin and means "from the name". We should ask if Calvinism de-nominated from another branch of Christianity and from whom. John Calvin and his followers did in fact denominate and they denominated from the Catholic Church. So Calvinism is a denomination.
Is Calvinism a false doctrine? No, Calvinism is not a doctrine, but a collection of doctrines, some true and some false. As we know, all truth is from and of God and leads us to know and love God more fully. In that light, the true doctrines within Calvinism lead us to love and serve God; however, the false doctrines present impediments to knowing God fully. False doctrines are also known as heresies. So, the presence of heresies within Calvinism makes Calvinism a heresy and a popular modern heresy at that. That is what lies at the heart of the current conflict between Calvinists and non-Calvinists within the many Baptist associations.
Fortunately, many folks are attracted to Truth and always seek the Truth. These folks will eventually reject those doctrines that Calvinism got wrong, but will retain those doctrines Calvinism has right and move into more mainline Protestant denominations that contain an even greater proportion of the truth. Some will even move into Catholicism, Judaism, and Orthodoxy in search of the fullness of Truth. The recent Pew survey indicates that about a third of Christians are actively engaged in this search for the fullness of Truth.
Those interested in reading the stories of Calvinists who sought out the fullness of truth will find no shortage on the Internet. Here are a few:
Marcus Grodi
Rodney Beason
Christopher Cuddy
Where does one find the fullness of truth? In the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1Timothy 3:15
Source: BaptistBoard: Other Christian Denominations
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