Featured John Calvin and missions

When you truly understand that the Gospel is the means of salvation it rouses an unquenching desire to proclaim it in many venues. Missions work is just one of those venues. Men like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and John Eliot were prolific Calvinist evangelists and missionaries.

What should the Arminian response be to this FACT? "I disagree with your theology, but I praise God that Calvinist missionaries preach the Gospel."

 

Some of the most passionate missionaries who reach people with the Gospel I have ever known have been Calvinists.

 

John Calvin sent a few missionaries to Brazil as well. That in the mid-16th century. He didn't have the attitude that "If the Lord will save them. They will be saved regardless if we send them or not."

 

The problem occurs when they don't do missions because people are predestined and this does happen.

 

God has the end result, He knows all that will be saved. If we don't send them someone else will and they will be the one to receive treasures in heaven people God used us to reach.

Since we are regenerated through the faith given to us by God through His word, no one will be saved if no one is sent. So we are to praise God for the feet that bring the good news.

I love these quote's from John Calvin about the good Samaritan

"The meaning of the parable for Calvin was, instead, that "compassion, which an enemy showed to a Jew, demonstrates that the guidance and teaching of nature are sufficient to show that man was created for the sake of man. Hence it is inferred that there is a mutual obligation between all men."[29] In other writings, Calvin pointed out that people are not born merely for themselves, but rather "mankind is knit together with a holy knot ... we must not live for ourselves, but for our neighbors."[32] Earlier, Cyril of Alexandria had written that "a crown of love is being twined for him who loves his neighbour."[33]"

John Calvin believed it was the Holy Spirit work in their heart.

Since we who believe are filled by the Holy Spirit and His temple, the Holy Spirit through us can work on other hearts and we all know a good Shepherd uses other sheep to bring in the lost. It is a shame sometimes to use a quote from another for our own agenda. Someone needs to be sent.

 

When I was a Calvinist I too hated the idea of hyperism, however if I was completely honest there were times I remember not continuing to pursue or 'go that extra mile' to reach someone because I figured that if God wanted them they would come around eventually anyway. It gave me the excuse I needed to 'let it go and let God.' I guess that could a be a form of semi-hyperism? Oh great, another label!

 

I'm nothing close to a Calvinist...but, there is no question both that "Calvinism" and those who commonly claim the moniker are consistently missionary-minded.

Even if they WEREN'T...it wouldn't disprove Calvinism's fundamental Soteriology anyway inasmuch as that would merely constitute an argument from results.

MY OPINION...would be that a strict Calvinism should result in a policy which does restrict Missions, in that, I would perceive "hyper-Calvinism" as the logically sound form of Calvinism...In other words...IF I were a "Calvinist", I would only be the "hyper-type".

Nonetheless. Most modern Calvinists anyway do not see it as I do, and their arguments FOR Missions are perfectly valid. And, (much as it pains me to say it) Their ACTIONS in recent history bear out their beliefs.
The argument Calvinists (generally) use that God has foreordained BOTH the means and the END of the gospel, and that he is to be glorified in his saints' being active IN those "MEANS" is perfectly sound. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with that argument.

I wouldn't pretend that Calvinist Soteriology has been the sole driving force behind the sum-toto of Baptist Missionary efforts in the last 200 years or anything, and I suspect there are those who would wish to suggest as much.
But, Calvinists have indeed (at least in MANY instances) in the last 400-years been quite the Missions-minded type. There have, of course, been examples wherein a Calvinist Soteriology has been USED to refuse to engage in missions. But EVERY viewpoint is capable of abuse. We do not judge the truth of a view based upon it's abuse but on it's logical necessity. Calvinism (as commonly expressed today, as a compatibilist form) does not necessitate a refusal to engage in Missions. I wish it did....it'd be easier to eradicate if it did. :laugh:

There are plenty of "Arminian" arguments IMO which defeat Calvinism...but, the idea that "Calvinism" MUST imply a failure to engage in aggressive missions (or that it does) is not, IMO a valid one. Neither logic nor History supports that argument.

 

That shows a lack of understanding of Calvinism. We are told by the Lord to go, teach, and disciple. That fact does not change regardless if one is Arminian or Calvinist. Only the most extreme of Calvinists advocate such ideas as no missions, evangelism, etc. Even the PCA, a conservative Presbyterian church, spends millions a year for support of missionaries. Missions are mandated regardless of which side one is on.

That is why hypers believing election is on auto pilot is a theory from the depths of hell.

 

Would you care to explain that last sentence in more detail?

 

Isnt your theology summed up like this "do whatever ya wanna do cause God aint a gonna do nothing about it"

 

Um, it would be more accurate to say my Theology says:
"Do whatever ya wanna do 'cause God's gonna burn your bum in hell eternally for it except you repent"....

But, yes, I guess you're close if negative propositions can be randomly substituted for positive ones, sure...whatever you want man. :wavey:

 

Okey dokey

 

And yet it was turned into a Calvinist thread not only by the suggestive title, but the second Harold offered what he thought Arminians should say about this, but of course, as usual, when a Calvinist posts a thread about Calvinism it doesn't get moved.

You can go ahead and ban me any day now because this forum is a joke.

 

Please....I'm begging you, give him his wish!!! Do us all a big favor.raying: