Reformed Developments in the 17 th century Jacob Arminius (1560-1609), Dort, and the Remonstrants of the early 1600s: Arminius recommended reading Calvin but sought to refine the doctrine of election Strongest reaction against Arminius took place in Dort, Holland, in 1618-1619, which condemned his teaching. Remonstrants took up the Arminian (not Armenian) cause. Calvinism (Reformed theology) continued to spread, then contract, in Europe. Reformed theology spread to British North America: Puritans, Pilgrims, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Anglicans somewhat, Baptists (not the Quakers and Anabaptists) Religious wars, settling into religious toleration
Reformed Theology in the US Strongest theological influence in the colonies The Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s (Jonathan Edwards... Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God...) Influenced the Constitution? Separation of powers... In the 1800s, particularly in the Second Great Awakening of the first half of the century, US turned towards Arminianism. Waves of Reformed influence in the 20 th century and beyond, including one right now.
Doctrines Compared Sovereignty of God Love of God Reformed Theology Yes most important attribute of God Yes, but must be consistent with other attributes. God does not love everyone equally, or his glory would be compromised The glory of God Yes Yes The grace of God salvation by grace alone Works Yes. All good that is in the world is attributable to God. Doctrines of grace Yes, enabled by grace to the glory of God Non-Calvinism Yes, but must be consistent with other attributes. While God is sovereign over man in all ways, He chooses to allow more human free will so as to allow all people to choose Him. Yes most important attribute of God Yes. All good that is in the world is attributable to God. Doctrines of grace Yes, enabled by grace to the glory of God Without them one cannot claim to be a Christian.
Doctrines Compared Total Depravity Reformed theology All humans shot through with sin. Our will is so captive to sin we cannot accept salvation. To say otherwise is to diminish the glory of God Some prefer radical depravity Non-Calvinism All humans are shot through with sin. God s grace has freed our will to be able to accept salvation. To say otherwise is to be too deterministic and makes God out to be a dictator.
Doctrines Compared Unconditional election Limited atonement Reformed theology Yes, God has already chosen who will be saved (when he chose is highly debated), dependent only on His inscrutable will and wisdom. Some say God elected some to salvation and the rest to damnation, some say God elected only to salvation. Some prefer sovereign election. Yes and no. If yes, the belief is that Christ died only for the elect, not for the whole world (or we would have to say Christ s work was incomplete or in some other way failed) Some prefer particular atonement : limited implies that Christ only cared about the elect, and that there were no benefits to the non-elect. Limited is a misleading term. Non-Calvinism Yes to election, generally no to unconditional Corporate election: Election based on foreknowledge (according to faith). No. Christ died for the sins of the whole world. To say Christ s sacrifice is available to but not received by all does not diminish his sacrifice
Doctrines Compared Irresistible grace. Perseverance of the Saints Reformed theology Yes, humans cannot resist God s saving grace. Highly deterministic Yes (no way to lose salvation) Non-Calvinism No. Humans can choose to resist God s grace. Some yes (once saved, always saved), some no Church/state Church discipline Close association between the church and society Yes, until the 18 th century, to the point of death, torture, imprisonment, banishment Varied. Anabaptists: strong line between church and the world Yes, some to the point of death.... Anabaptists: to the point of shunning
Strengths and Dangers of Reformed Theology Saved by grace a necessary correction to Catholic salvation by works. Antinomianism? What about non-calvinism? too much about works?
Strengths and Weaknesses of Reformed Theology Sovereignty of God, centrality of God, glory of God God as the author of sin, human life becomes mechanistic? What about non-calvinism? too human-centered?
Strengths and Weaknesses of Reformed Theology Predestination is thus an idea that typically elicits strong reactions: either it is the rock of Christian certainty, without which no true hope is possible, or it is the most dangerous of doctrines, one that risks negating the Come unto me of Jesus gospel promise.
How Do We Find the Peace of Assurance? Catholic Reformed Arminian Sacramentalism assures salvation But how much is enough? Rest in God s sovereignty But we can t know if we are of the elect Free Will But what if I lose faith at a later time?
Conclusion Calvinism (Reformed tradition) is historical: Reflects cultural context. Has always been diverse. Has changed over time. Reformed tradition has strengths and weaknesses. Reformed tradition shares much with the rest of Christianity. Perhaps we can get along and help each other avoid the pitfalls? Predestination/election is a mystery that has never been solved, not in Augustine s time, not in the Reformation era, not today.u Yet, predestination has been one of the most important but unacknowledged sources of discord in churches across the denominational spectrum. Theusen, 4.
Suggested Reading Church History in Plain Language, by Bruce L. Shelley Predestination: the American Career of a Contentious Doctrine, by Peter J. Thuesen 10 Myths About Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition, by Kenneth J. Stewart Jonathan Edwards: A Life, by George M. Marsden Calvin, by Bruce Gordon