Eldest Daughter says that at her Southern Baptist university there’s a resurgence of both Reformed theology (Calvinism) and Catholicism. Not the the same people are becoming Catholic and Reformed at the same time, but many are converting to one or the other.
My question is: where are all the traditionally wishy-washy, Calvinoarminian, Southern Baptists? Or why can’t we all just get along, and why does predestination matter anyway?
(Yes, I know that I please no one and offend almost everyone with that question, as well as creating deep doubts among you all about my own intellectual and theological maturity. So be it.)
4 thoughts on “Catholics and Calvinists”
Having been in non-denominational churches since age 11 (and Catholic churches for two years before that and nothing at all before age 8), I still haven’t gotten a clear picture of the different denominations and Christian doctrines. I think my Christianity is like my homeschooling: eclectic. I love Spurgeon but I don’t think I completely agree with Calvinism. I believe the Apostles’ Creed. Beyond that, I’m not sure with whom I stand. I know I don’t stand with Dhimmitude and mega/seeker churches, though.
Hmm… that smiley was an 8.
We live in one of the most-churched areas of the country, and not only Calvinism and Catholicism, but vibrant Anglican and Orthodox churches are growing here as well. At nearby Wheaton College, the majority of the student body attend five churches on Sunday morning, and 3 of the 5 are Anglican. (As evangelicals, they’re probably more comfortable there doctrinally than they would be at a Catholic church.) But the newer profs hired by the Bible Dept. are all Calvinist–and I don’t think there were any when I was there 20 years ago.
I think that the college generation feels a need for strong, secure moorings in their faith, and they’re finding it in the seemingly airtight doctrines of Calvinism and in the traditions of churches rooted in the Church Fathers and the liturgies and practices of the earliest days of the Church. Protestantism is such a recent invention, really, and so factious, because it’s roots don’t go very deep–denominations can emphasize what they want to and ignore the rest. Wishy-washy, as you said!
I sympathize with your question because I have often thought that myself too. I don’t stuggle with the predestination question the way so many do. I would say that my church leans a little toward the Arminian but my kids attend a Calvinist school.
I love this quote from the article: “Evangelicals have long disagreed on election and free will. The debate
may never be settled, given the apparent tension between biblical statements and the limits of our interpretive skills.”
That sums up my take on it. If greater minds than mine can’t get it worked out I am going to assume that it is not for me to have a definitive answer.
I am encouraged to hear that the Calvinist movement is a result of today’s youth seeking deeper knowledge of doctrine. And that they are finding it by searching the Word, not just turning to denomination or system for answers.
Having been in non-denominational churches since age 11 (and Catholic churches for two years before that and nothing at all before age 8), I still haven’t gotten a clear picture of the different denominations and Christian doctrines. I think my Christianity is like my homeschooling: eclectic. I love Spurgeon but I don’t think I completely agree with Calvinism. I believe the Apostles’ Creed. Beyond that, I’m not sure with whom I stand. I know I don’t stand with Dhimmitude and mega/seeker churches, though.
Hmm… that smiley was an 8.
We live in one of the most-churched areas of the country, and not only Calvinism and Catholicism, but vibrant Anglican and Orthodox churches are growing here as well. At nearby Wheaton College, the majority of the student body attend five churches on Sunday morning, and 3 of the 5 are Anglican. (As evangelicals, they’re probably more comfortable there doctrinally than they would be at a Catholic church.) But the newer profs hired by the Bible Dept. are all Calvinist–and I don’t think there were any when I was there 20 years ago.
I think that the college generation feels a need for strong, secure moorings in their faith, and they’re finding it in the seemingly airtight doctrines of Calvinism and in the traditions of churches rooted in the Church Fathers and the liturgies and practices of the earliest days of the Church. Protestantism is such a recent invention, really, and so factious, because it’s roots don’t go very deep–denominations can emphasize what they want to and ignore the rest. Wishy-washy, as you said!
I sympathize with your question because I have often thought that myself too. I don’t stuggle with the predestination question the way so many do. I would say that my church leans a little toward the Arminian but my kids attend a Calvinist school.
I love this quote from the article: “Evangelicals have long disagreed on election and free will. The debate
may never be settled, given the apparent tension between biblical statements and the limits of our interpretive skills.”
That sums up my take on it. If greater minds than mine can’t get it worked out I am going to assume that it is not for me to have a definitive answer.
I am encouraged to hear that the Calvinist movement is a result of today’s youth seeking deeper knowledge of doctrine. And that they are finding it by searching the Word, not just turning to denomination or system for answers.