I am leery and weary of reformed theology. I often question myself as to why I am so resistant. So for today’s Theology Thursday let me evaluate why I am unreceptive to the new Calvinism, referred to as reformed theology. 1) Hermeneutical Methods – When I talk to a person from a reformed perspective I disagree with their Biblical interpretation. For example 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (HCSB) says “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” Having brought up this verse, I was told the contextual definition of everyone is only those God has chosen, not everyone in the world. While I understand the use of inclusive words sometimes includes a group rather than the whole world the context should define which it is. This passage is talking about the whole world. (Test a contextual choice by reading it with words which define the scope. In this case read with the words “all His people” in place of everyone. Read again with “the whole world.” Which fits the sentence and paragraph better?) 2) Winds of Doctrine – The second reason I am resistant to reformed theology is Ephesians 4:14 says a mature believe will not be “tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching.” In my life time I have seen this idea rise and fall a couple of times. Because of this it reminds me of a wind of doctrine. 3) Evangelism – Pastors who preach reformed theology don’t neglect missions and evangelism, but the affect on their members may not be what they think. Members of these churches tell me they don’t see the need for these activities. Why spend money on these things when God already has it worked out. 4) Atheists Arguments – Another problem is reformed theology plays into the hands of atheists. The first argument I hear from a new atheist often goes like this: If God can do anything and knows everything then He must not be good, because evil exists in this world and a God who is omniscient and omnipotent is...
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:33:33 +0000
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