Should Christians call themselves Calvinists?

Calvinist are not followers of John Calvin. It's just a title given to show what their theology is. No different from one calling themselves a baptist.

 

That verse is about personalities and popularity, not doctrinal distinctives. Of course it is perfectly acceptable to term yourself "Calvinist" "Arminian" "Dispensational" "Covenantal" etc.

 

If you feel the need to label yourself, go ahead.

I have no such need.

Using labels on this forum has caused anger, hurt feelings, and confusion. It is not because a label exists; it is because labels don't mean the same thing to everyone.

 

AMEN brother!

"brother"/"sister" are acceptable to me because they are scriptural.

HankD

 

Amen. I am what I am by the Grace of God made manifest by the Blood of the Lamb.

 

Pacifism is well intentioned, but in the end is ultimately immoral.

If you are a pastor and you hide from a label because it sits you apart, and, you skip over passages where people will KNOW what you believe and there by label you, you are telling your people they are FOOLS when 10 years later they must pin you down for a answer.

If you are a Baptist even if your church name does not say you are Baptist, let others know it, because you are wasting their time if they disagree with you. If you are Calvinist, let them know. This does not mean you have to say the word each Sunday. To hide from a label when you are in fact that label is immoral.

 

Amen, bro. Willfully hiding what you believe is absolutely immoral, especially if you are a pastor!

 

Yes, and the so-called Founders site instructs Calvinist pastors who want to "Reform" their Southern Baptist churches to:

 

If they are talking about being called to a new church, then I would disagree with them. But I think they are talking about Reform in the broader scope, i.e. changing church government. Calvinism is not logically tied to an elder led church government.

And I can understand their perspective. Most people who use use Calvinism as a cuss word, are only parroting what they have heard. They do not actually understand the theology. I have heard people in my church that speak derogatorily about Calvinism "Amen!" as my pastor affirms each of the five points.

When we say it is dishonest to hide it, I know I at least am talking about people who actually know what it is. I would not tell my seven year old "I am a Calvinist" cause she would not understand. I would have to sit down and spend time detailing it out.

 

You jump from not needing labels to pacifism (cowardice)? You assume that a person who doesn't use labels is ashamed of himself?

There must be some other burr under your saddle for you to suddenly approach from that direction. Nobody has mentioned hiding his or her beliefs. I don't know of anyone who does.

Do you?

 

So if you're talking to an unsaved person about the Calvinist doctrine, do you tell them they may not be one of the elect? Do you tell them that they may just be one of the many that God has "passed over" for salvation?

If not then you are hiding your true beliefs and you are being immoral.

 

Should Christians call themselves Baptists?

 

You don't know who's elect. That's not the point. Let's say an unbeliever is listening in on a conversation you're having with someone else about Cavinism. They ask you, "what does it mean to be elect".

There is not one word of the Bible or it's doctrines that I feel I need to hide from anyone, believer or unbeliever. But that cannot be true of a Calvinist. A Cal will not come out and pronounce their entire belief system. I have nothing to hide. Cals do.

 

If they're asked what denom they are. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

I do not have animosity toward any of you guys! It's the doctrine that I dislike. I love you. :flower:


I have asked this question many times on the BB and never gotten a straight answer.

If you were discussing Calvinism with someone and an unbeliever overheard you and asked about election, would you tell them that not everybody is elected? And that only those who are elected or chosen for salvation can come to Jesus? Would you tell them "you may not be chosen"? I was chosen but you may not be.
If that would be hard for you to do, then you should re-evaluate your belief in Calvinism.