Some Things CHS Said About Calvin etc.

[Rippon]

There is a website by Colin Maxwell . He's with the Free Presbyterian Church . There is a section of his site that deals with things pertaining to Spurgeon . One part of that is called "The Calvinism Of Charles Haddon Spurgeon " . Mr. Maxwell did the hard work of tracking down these sentiments of Spurgeon . I'm only gathering some things he culled . First, some things Spurgeon said in a negative way . I'll give the Vol. and page number for each .

Many Calvinists hold Gill or Calvin as their ultimate authority . Time to break up the systems and to believe the word whether taught by these men or not . ( 6:238 )

We do not impute any extraordinary importance to Calvin having taught these doctrines . ( 7:546 )

We must exalt Christ rather than Calvinism . ( 8:572 )

Some men hang on what Calvin did -- we must hang on what Jesus did . ( 10:462 )

To rest any church practice upon Calvin puts Christ out of His proper place . ( 13;355 )

Do not say "I am of Calvin" -- did Calvin redeem you ? ( 20:206 )

We are not to be believers in Calvin -- but in Christ . ( 25:684 )

If you only believe something because Calvin taught it -- look at your foundations . ( 37:52 )

There is much that Calvin and Gill did not mention . ( 46:138 )

Do not derive our our inspiration from Calvin's Institutes or commentaries -- but the Bible . ( 47:525 )

All teachings that lift up Calvin in the place of Christ and teaches that his teaching is to be taken as infallible revelations from Christ are not of God . ( 53:640 )

Paul did not say "I know the Institutes of Calvin" ... but I know whom I have believed . ( 58:725 )

Hyper Calvinism leads to you being sound -- asleep ( 12:721 )

 

[Humblesmith]

Amen !
Amen !

 

[Cutter]

Careful there, Brother. I have stated on the site that we put to much emphasis on men rather than Christ and it has not suited others very well. Don't you go makin' points for me, you might offend others!

 

[TCGreek]

There is a website by Colin Maxwell . He's with the Free Presbyterian Church . There is a section of his site that deals with things pertaining to Spurgeon . One part of that is called "The Calvinism Of Charles Haddon Spurgeon " . Mr. Maxwell did the hard work of tracking down these sentiments of Spurgeon . I'm only gathering some things he culled . First, some things Spurgeon said in a negative way . I'll give the Vol. and page number for each .

Many Calvinists hold Gill or Calvin as their ultimate authority . Time to break up the systems and to believe the word whether taught by these men or not . ( 6:238 )

We do not impute any extraordinary importance to Calvin having taught these doctrines . ( 7:546 )

We must exalt Christ rather than Calvinism . ( 8:572 )

Some men hang on what Calvin did -- we must hang on what Jesus did . ( 10:462 )

To rest any church practice upon Calvin puts Christ out of His proper place . ( 13;355 )

Do not say "I am of Calvin" -- did Calvin redeem you ? ( 20:206 )

We are not to be believers in Calvin -- but in Christ . ( 25:684 )

If you only believe something because Calvin taught it -- look at your foundations . ( 37:52 )

There is much that Calvin and Gill did not mention . ( 46:138 )

Do not derive our our inspiration from Calvin's Institutes or commentaries -- but the Bible . ( 47:525 )

All teachings that lift up Calvin in the place of Christ and teaches that his teaching is to be taken as infallible revelations from Christ are not of God . ( 53:640 )

Paul did not say "I know the Institutes of Calvin" ... but I know whom I have believed . ( 58:725 )

Hyper Calvinism leads to you being sound -- asleep ( 12:721 )

1. Despite these quotes and others, even among those of us who believe in the doctrines of grace, those who have taken a stance against what we believe will still continue to push these aside to propagate their misrepresentations.

2. Why they continue to take this course of action speaks volumes.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

1. Despite these quotes and others, even among those of us who believe in the doctrines of grace, those who have taken a stance against what we believe will still continue to push these aside to propagate their misrepresentations.

2. Why they continue to take this course of action speaks volumes.

From one who said,

"I have my own Private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor." -A defence of Calvinism http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

we can be certain that his view was balanced and free from this nonsense that we follow or woship a man.

"The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again."—C. H. Spurgeon

 

[skypair]

Do not say "I am of Calvin" -- did Calvin redeem you ? ( 20:206 )

If you only believe something because Calvin taught it -- look at your foundations . ( 37:52 )

There is much that Calvin and Gill did not mention . ( 46:138 )

Hyper Calvinism leads to you being sound -- asleep ( 12:721 )

These particularly speak to my heart in the matter.

skypair

 

[rjprince]

1. Despite these quotes and others, even among those of us who believe in the doctrines of grace, those who have taken a stance against what we believe will still continue to push these aside to propagate their misrepresentations.

2. Why they continue to take this course of action speaks volumes.

as to 1) Is there stance always against what we DO believe, or is it sometimes against what we are perceived to believe...

and 2) Often they are responding to their perception of Calvinism, or perhaps their misperception of Calvinism.

AND overall) Is there no way that we can drop some of the rhetoric over the label and discuss propositional statements of our position? Would that perhaps eliminate at least SOME of the needless, dare I say mindless banter?

 

[ReformedBaptist]

These particularly speak to my heart in the matter.

skypair

By golly I think he got it!!!!!!!

 

[TCGreek]

as to 1) Is there stance always against what we DO believe, or is it sometimes against what we are perceived to believe...

and 2) Often they are responding to their perception of Calvinism, or perhaps their misperception of Calvinism.

AND overall) Is there no way that we can drop some of the rhetoric over the label and discuss propositional statements of our position? Would that perhaps eliminate at least SOME of the needless, dare I say mindless banter?

That would only work with those who have never heard the term Calvinism before entering a discussion.

 

[Rippon]

Now , On To The Rest Of The Story

I wanted you folks out there to realize up-front that Spurgeon ( representing Calvinists in general ) did not ( and do not ) put Calvin in place of Christ . C.H.S., as has been mentioned , was a well-balanced person . But hear him out more fully on his views on Calvin , Calvinism , Gill etc.

Calvin is the grandest expositor ever . ( 6:445 )

Calvin was no more the author of Calvinism than CHS was . ( 6:549 )

Calvinism was true before Calvin was born or thought of -- it did not come from him . ( 20:550 )

Calvinism ! I don't care what it is ... it is scriptural . ( 35:876 )

We badly need men like Calvin -- men with bones in their backs , and fire on their lips , with hearts that burn and words that glow with holy fervour ( 42:13 )

Jonah's sea trip was better than a university education -- he became a sound Calvinist . ( 54:642 )

Jonah learned his Calvinism in the whale's belly ( 60:255 ) [ It was really a great fish -- Rip ]

None can read Romans 8 and 9 and deny Calvinism is the sum and substance of the teaching of the Bible -- the very pillars of that Gospel . ( 3:679 )

Truth does not lie between Calvinism and Arminianism ... just a barren wilderness . ( 9:450 )

The teachings and writings of Calvin carried the gospel into the hearts of vast numbers of hearers and readers . ( 58:446 )

The doctrine which I preach to you is that of the Puritans : it is the doctrine of Calvin , the doctrine of Augustine , the doctrine of Paul , the doctrine of the Holy Ghost . ( "Unusual Occasions" p.230 )

 

[TCGreek]

Most noble Rippon, the problem is not with the truth behind the label. The problem for most people is with the label itself.

 

[Rippon]

Calvinism saved the Baptist denomination . ( 1:312 )

Salt in the Calvinistic doctrines which preserve truth . ( 6:464 )

No soul living held to Calvinism more than CHS . ( 10:870 )

We value Calvinism not for its logic etc. , but because it is the gospel . ( S&T 3:242 )

The Calvinism of Paul will be around forever . ( S&T 4:38 )

Calvin knew more about the gospel than almost any uninspired man who ever lived . ( 4:229 )

Calvin was the most consistent expositer of the Bible who ever lived . ( 6:221 )

By all means let Calvin's name be held in honour . ( 7:254 )

"... that mighty servant of God , John Calvin , whom I honour , not as teaching these doctrines himself , but as one through whom God spoke , and one who , next to the apostle Paul , propounded truth more clearly than any other man that ever breathed , knew more of Scripture and explained it more clearly ... That man of God expounds the doctrines in so excellent and admirable a manner , that we cannot too much bless the Lord who sent him , or too much pray that others like him may be honest and sincere in the work of the Lord ." ( 10:384 )

 

[Rippon]

Calvin looked upon now only as a theologian -- but was really one of the greatest gospel preachers . ( 14:216 )

Ever a sweet savour round Calvin . ( 19:564 )

Calvin -- a more advanced pupil in the school of Jesus Christ . ( 20:722 )

What a day when ... the clear teaching of Calvin is followed . ( 21:208 )

That mightiest master in Israel , clear , upright , and profound . ( 24:605 )

One of the noblest disciples . ( 34:792 )

"Let there be light" and Calvin etc. shone in the sky of the dark ages and cleared away the gloom . ( 35:348 )

Calvin shook the world . ( 42:318 )

I am a Calvinist , and a lover of that grand man's memory and doctrine . ( 44:517 )

Luther broke the damn -- Calvin purified the waters . ( 47:524 )

Who will deny the pre-eminent value of Calvin's expositions ? ( A Chat About Commentaries -- Lectures 4:10 )

 

[Rippon]

Calvin ... is never out of date , because he expounded the word without bias or partiality . ( Lectures 4:134 )

Had heard people rail at Calvinism who never in their lives read a word that Calvin wrote . ( 7:866 )

Those in John 6 went back because they could not endure what men call "Calvinism" . ( 28:141 )

There was a great quarrel against Calvin in Geneva because he was too strict -- yet the same folks say these doctrines lead to sin . ( 45:345 )

It is a perversion and a caricature of the expositions of Calvin and Augustine , and of the Apostle Paul , and of what our Master preached , to represent us as thinking with complacency of the ruin of any one of the human race . ( 60:390 )

Men have begun to rub off the rough edges of truth and give up doctrines of Calvin ( 3:73 )

Rebuked Particular Baptists who feared to preach Calvinism . ( 3:710 )

It is the greatest blasphemy to say : Calvinism ought not to be preached as it is impractical . ( 3:710 )

I have to preach Calvinism or else be a liar to my conscience and my God . ( 4:78 )

Many Calvinistic preachers do not feed their people -- they believe the doctrines of grace but do not preach them . ( 5:261 )

 

[Rippon]

Did not want the Sabbath School to be a hotbed of Arminianism but the church to be a garden of Calvinism . ( 19:398 )

A woman referred to a "high Calvary " preacher ! A good mistake . ( 38:648 )

You never learn the five points until the Spirit of God teaches you them . ( 38:679 )

Illustrated the church as a ship ... tried to get her to avoid Cape Vatican by rounding round Cape Calvin and right into the Bay Calvary . ( Lectures 3:55 )

Taught Calvinism dogmatically ( in the right sense ) at the college . ( S& T 3:52 )

We as Calvinists gravely question much of what the Wesleyan's teach . ( S& T 3;52 )

 

[Rippon]

The Other John ...

John Gill's very valuable commentary . ( 2:126 )

John Gill : learned and eminently pious . ( 2:185 )

Gill was a father of the true apostolic order ... His "Body of Divinity" held in highest repute and unrivalled while "The Cause of God and Truth" obtained for him the championship of the Calvinistic School . His commentary : remarkable ... brilliant ... rich . A priceless ministry . Eulogised by Toplady . ( 5:593 )

Gill shone like a star of the first magnitude amidst surrounding darkness . ( 5:594 )

I am not ashamed to endorse Gill's views even now . ( 46:138 )

 

[Rippon]

Another Resurrected Thread By Rippon

I wanted you folks out there to realize up-front that Spurgeon ( representing Calvinists in general ) did not ( and do not ) put Calvin in place of Christ . C.H.S., as has been mentioned , was a well-balanced person . But hear him out more fully on his views on Calvin , Calvinism , Gill etc.

Calvin is the grandest expositor ever . ( 6:445 )

Calvin was no more the author of Calvinism than CHS was . ( 6:549 )

Calvinism was true before Calvin was born or thought of -- it did not come from him . ( 20:550 )

Calvinism ! I don't care what it is ... it is scriptural . ( 35:876 )

We badly need men like Calvin -- men with bones in their backs , and fire on their lips , with hearts that burn and words that glow with holy fervour ( 42:13 )

Jonah's sea trip was better than a university education -- he became a sound Calvinist . ( 54:642 )

Jonah learned his Calvinism in the whale's belly ( 60:255 ) [ It was really a great fish -- Rip ]

None can read Romans 8 and 9 and deny Calvinism is the sum and substance of the teaching of the Bible -- the very pillars of that Gospel . ( 3:679 )

Truth does not lie between Calvinism and Arminianism ... just a barren wilderness . ( 9:450 )

The teachings and writings of Calvin carried the gospel into the hearts of vast numbers of hearers and readers . ( 58:446 )

The doctrine which I preach to you is that of the Puritans : it is the doctrine of Calvin , the doctrine of Augustine , the doctrine of Paul , the doctrine of the Holy Ghost . ( "Unusual Occasions" p.230 )

I thought I would remind views of these quotes as a counterbalance to Jerome's citations -- he tends to skew to the left.

 

[Rippon]

What Spurgeon Thought Of Calvin

Calvin looked upon now only as a theologian -- but was really one of the greatest gospel preachers . ( 14:216 )

Ever a sweet savour round Calvin . ( 19:564 )

Calvin -- a more advanced pupil in the school of Jesus Christ . ( 20:722 )

What a day when ... the clear teaching of Calvin is followed . ( 21:208 )

That mightiest master in Israel , clear , upright , and profound . ( 24:605 )

One of the noblest disciples . ( 34:792 )

"Let there be light" and Calvin etc. shone in the sky of the dark ages and cleared away the gloom . ( 35:348 )

Calvin shook the world . ( 42:318 )

I am a Calvinist , and a lover of that grand man's memory and doctrine . ( 44:517 )

Luther broke the damn -- Calvin purified the waters . ( 47:524 )

Who will deny the pre-eminent value of Calvin's expositions ? ( A Chat About Commentaries -- Lectures 4:10 )

This is a good thread to ponder when that anti-John Calvin reflex action starts taking over.

 

[quantumfaith]

1. Despite these quotes and others, even among those of us who believe in the doctrines of grace, those who have taken a stance against what we believe will still continue to push these aside to propagate their misrepresentations.

2. Why they continue to take this course of action speaks volumes.

Would you be kind enough enlighten us?

 

[psalms109:31]

Spread the Gospel

How far would you go to spread the Gospel?

1 Corinthians 9:

Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.