The Well doesn't look much like the churches of Geneva, but it is influenced by John Calvin just the same.
Never mind that the French reformer would be 500 years old this week; Calvin's theology has retained much of its potency.
He provides theological underpinnings for churches such as The Well, a nondenominational congregation downtown with a commitment to Reformed theology.
He also is a source of conflict for Southern Baptists and a steady draw for young Presbyterians.
His legacy and life are being celebrated around the world this week after Friday marked the 500th anniversary of his birth.
To launch The Well in 2004, the Rev. Jeremy Carr turned to Acts 29, a network of church planters co-founded by the Rev. Mark Driscoll, of Seattle.
The Rev. Driscoll is a divisive figure, often seen as a loose cannon for his tendencies to curse and speak frankly from the pulpit about sex. He is also a Calvinist, one who has gained a sizeable following among young conservatives.
LAST MONTH AT THE denomination's annual meeting, Southern Baptists heard a motion from the floor to ban the Rev. Driscoll's works from Lifeway Christian Stores.
The issue was dropped, but it brought media attention to something Southern Baptists have known for some time: There are a growing number of Calvinists in their ranks, and not everyone is pleased.
Nearly 30 percent of recent seminary graduates who are pastors of Southern Baptist churches identify as Calvinists, according to a 2007 study by the North American Mission Board, an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.
"There's tension for sure," said the Rev. Charlie Swain, who ministers to high school and college students at First Baptist Church of North Augusta. "Calvin and his theology is misconstrued."
Calvin's theology can most simply be described as "a very grand God-ward orientation for looking at the world," the Rev. Carr said.
Adherents often talk of the five points of Calvin's views. They state that man's nature is completely sinful, God chooses whom to save, Jesus died only for those he would save, God's grace can't be turned down and salvation cannot be lost.
It's the theology taught at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, from which the Rev. Swain graduated in May.
Though he doesn't adhere to every tenet of Calvinism, he does identify as a Reformed evangelical.
THE RISE OF CALVINISM among Baptists largely follows generational lines, said the Rev. Swain, who is 27.
"A lot of us in our 20s and 30s really connect with this," he said. "We live in a society that is so gray with no absolutes. The culture has moved so far that way it's attractive to have this theology that's solid, even if it seems rigid."
Growth at First Presbyterian Church has occurred for much the same reason, said the Rev. George Robertson, the senior pastor.
"The Reformed faith offers rootedness to post-moderns who are weary of the world views of purposelessness many have been taught at university," he said.
Members of The Well have said they found themselves drawn to Reformed theology after years in youth groups learning songs and playing games but lacking systematic teaching. Others have told the Rev. Carr that they've gone to church for 30 years yet never delved into the depth of theology put forth by Calvin.
When they do, it can be life-changing, the Rev. Robertson said.
"Reformation thought provides a faith that integrates all of salvation, life and vocation," the Presbyterian pastor said. "In this theology, life is a worshipful response to God's grace which gives eternal significance to every activity, no matter how menial."
The Rev. Carr puts it this way: "For this generation, speaking this language of Reformed theology is an act of worship. It's faith seeking understanding."
He still meets his share of skeptics, mostly Christians who worry that Calvin's teachings will interfere with the spread of the Gospel. The Rev. Carr says he understands, and he offers a rather large caveat to his Reformed faith.
"We're a Reformed church, but our job isn't to teach people to be good Calvinists. Our job is to teach people to be good Christians," he said. "We never want our theology to get in the way of our faith. I don't want people falling in love with the wrong J.C."
Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.
WHO WAS JOHN CALVIN?
John Calvin was born into a Roman Catholic family July 10, 1509, in Noyon, France.
He studied law but found his calling in theology.
Calvin's schooling introduced him to reform-minded friends, and he distanced himself from the Catholic Church. He published several commentaries and writings, including his seminal work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. His calls for reform were controversial, forcing him to flee from his homes in Paris and Geneva more than once. Nonetheless, his work solidified the Reformation, launched a generation earlier by the German monk Martin Luther.
Though influential, Calvin is remembered as a far from perfect figure. Michael Servetus, a Spanish theologian, once sought refuge in Geneva. Calvin deemed him heretical and had him burned at the stake.
Calvin died in Geneva in 1564.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
wrong; Jesus died for all and gave us the choice as to whether to receive the gift he has given. It is called freewill. Jesus didn't pick which thief to save at the cross; the thieves did that.
Have to agree, Soldout. The NT plainly says that God is willing that NONE should perish. Also, that Jesus died for the entire world, and that WHOSOEVER comes to Him will be saved. This idea that God purposely chooses to mark some people for hell is about as far away from Christian truth as one can get. You have to wonder if Calvin's off-the-wall ideas actually did more harm than good.
"We never want our theology to get in the way of our faith." Huh? What's with that? Your theology must be the very basis of your faith. A faith not grounded in theological truth is nothing but emotions and feel-good wishful thinking. You might attract a lot of people with emotions and "milk", but without "solid food" your church will never be what God wants. You might grow wide, but you'll be very shallow. Truth is the key, not tradition.
No worse than the other Baptists who base their theology on the rantings of John Nelson Darby. You can bet Lifeway is full of the Left Behind books (and all their offshoots) based on the non-Biblical concepts that didn't exist until they were made up by Darby in the 1800's.
Agreed, Techie. Human ideas, no matter how well-intentioned, can be wrong. Imperfect people, like us, are prone to error. The only real way to be sure is to study and do your very best to see what God's word truly says. There's where the truth is. Theology is difficult, and can be easily twisted to sound good to those with new or superficial understandings. It's a challenge. But, nothing is more rewarding.
Nice work, Kelly.
Very good article. I agree.
I wonder what constitutes "good Calvinists?" There was a reason that John Calvin was known as the "Pope of Geneva." Among his many heinous crimes as dictator of that city one of the most notable had to do with a Michael Servetus. Servetus, a Spaniard, was a well-known physician, scientist and theologian whose works were widely read. Servetus' crime was that he said that he could find no biblical basis for the "doctrine of the trinity." Now, John-boy didn't take well to that heresy and got quite exercised about it. So, he had Servetus arrested (by Catholics, no less!), and held for trial. The trial resulted in Servetus being burned at the stake for his heresy. Green timber was used, so that Servetus' death would be especially painful. Martin Luther is also mentioned in the article. Luther said of Jews:"base, whoring people;" "full of the devil's feces ... which they wallow in like swine;" "[w]e are at fault in not slaying them;" They should be shown no mercy or kindness, afforded no legal protection, and these "poisonous envenomed worms" should be drafted into forced labor or expelled for all time. So, there you have it; two ugly pillars of the Christian church.
You don't have to look to Calvin and Luther for, "two ugly pillars of the Christian church"; you can look to the Scriptures. Paul and Peter were no stand up saints. The truth is, God uses imperfect people for His glory.
Reformed theology: Men are saved By Grace, Through Faith in Jesus, For God's Glory, as told in Scripture. Learn it, love it, live it.
Reformed theology is OK as long as you disregard the predestination aspects. God does not mark people for hell. That goes against everything He's done to save us. Calvin was dead wrong about that.
RE: "The truth is, God uses imperfect people for His glory." Well, well, me thinks fataddict has reached new heights of religious zaniness and irrationality. The idea of the every-loving Yahweh using his chosen "imperfect people" to murder and harass others ("For God's Glory") does seem ludicrous. On the other hand, Yahweh does have a certain reputation to uphold with respect to malevolent and sociopathic behavior. To wit: "..they shall fall by the sword; their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their woman with children shall be ripped up." (Hosea 13.:16) Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones upon the stones."(Psalm 137:9)"Thus sayeth the Lord God of Israel, put every man his sword by his side,...and slay every man his brother,...companion,...neighbor."(Exodus 32:37) "...slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox, and sheep, camel and donkey."(I Samuel:15) I wonder how the Sky Daddy chooses which of the "imperfect people" to carry out his commands (and become notable personages) and which to send to the lake of fire? "It ain't those parts of the bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand."(Mark Twain)
Knave, You seem to have a talent for picking out select verses of the Bible in order to discredit the whole, yet you ignore the big picture (quite conveniently). Yes, the OT is full of stories of judgment, murder, sin, etc. No away around them. But, one thing you do forget is that if "Sky Daddy" is indeed God, then he can darn well do what HE deems as right, and does not need our approval. If you wish to sit in judgment of God, then that's your choice. God has His reasons, and wiping out sin and evil is His holy right. You and I have no right to tell Him how to mind His business. Alternatively, have you ever carefully considered the teachings of Jesus? I'd like to hear you try to tear down the themes of love, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation for all (if they choose to accept it). If you are going to try and paint a picture, at least keep it 2-sided and paint with all the colors (and not just the ones of your own purposeful choosing).
No great mystery here; Baptist's are Calvinsts in their theology, this is why they believe in "Once Saved ALWAYS Saved" despite the fact that there were biblical backsliders. They reject the conditional aspects of salvation which is offered by Christ. Baptist's preach the "Born again" experience, which would seem to indicate conversion of our sinful natures and desires to those of the Saviour, yet they reject this metamorphosis as works. The Calvinist view is out of harmony with the scriptures and Christ's work of redemption for all of mankind, not a pre-selected few. The Arminian interpretation of Conversion, Redemption, and Salvation, in stark contrast to Calvinism, appears to be the correct view.
I tend to agree with your RB. One need only read the passages in Hebrews to see that it is indeed possible to turn your back on God and walk away from Him. Sure, nothing can pry you out of His hand against your will, but He never forces salvation upon anyone. There are people who are former Christians. I don't understand them, but they exist.
Determinism versus free will may be a good topic for discussion in our forums (it may not have been discussed before). Question is, can we behave ourselves?
I don't know how anyone can believe that God died for a chosen few when John 3:16 clearly states, "For God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his only begotten son that WHO SO EVER believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Where in that scripture does it state that God only died for a chosen few? It's awful that some believe that they are God's elite and that he chose them among others. God chose EVERYONE. It's our choice if we choose HIM. It really grieves me to know that there are non believers who come into churches and are excited and want to know and learn more about Christianity, yet when they are presented with this Calvinism principle they have to feel hurt and rejected, thinking that God doesn't love them or want them and didn't choose them. Who would want to serve a God like that? A rejecting clicky God? It also states, "Choose ye this day whom you will serve." Therefore, yes, you can turn your back on God. I am not one to say that you can lose your salvation because the true character of a man's heart is only known by God himself, so we have no right to judge and say who is a Christian and who is not.
"His ONLY begotten son"......if you're gonna quote, please do so using the WHOLE quote....thx. (':
Maybe you didn't read correctly, Nammy!. Because that's exactly what I typed...