Dysfunctional Calvinism is the practice of embracing human responsibility in converting people to Calvinism but denying human responsibility in converting people to Christ….
Dysfunctional Calvinism gives an articulation of the doctrines of grace without exhibiting grace to those who disagree with them...
Dysfunctional Calvinism embraces “word” ministry to the exclusion of “deed” ministry–that is the love for the truth does not go far enough. Let’s just have another Bible Study….
Dysfunctional Calvinism is gospel-centered insofar as it satisfies their intellectual inquiry but does not inflame their affections and transforms their will in becoming “all things to all men that by all possible means I might save some.”
I would suggest that the problem is more widespread than Timmy gives it credit for. Being convinced of the truth of the doctrines of grace/Calvinism/reformed theology, many of us are eager to show others why their beliefs are wrong. There is a pretty strong strain among the Reformed to be evangelists for Calvinism.
We are so convinced that we are right (and I still think we are right!) that rather than proclaiming Christ to the lost, we are busy proclaiming Calvinism to the saved. Certainly there is a place for those sorts of deeper theological discussions. But which is the more urgent need, the billions of lost people worldwide or the misguided Arminian next door?
3 comments:
Your commentary on his post doesn't say anything that he isn't saying.
So how is the "problem more widespread than Timmy gives it credit for"?
Indeed, very good points he makes.
Arthur,
Thank you for bringing attention to Timmy Brister's article, which is extraordinarily discerning and deserves wider reading.
Joe,
Timmy thinks this is pretty rare, I think it is far more widespread.
Post a Comment