Calvinist Derangement Syndrome

[Reformed]

I'm spending part of my Friday evening listening to The Dividing Line by Dr. James White. One of the topics he covered during this evenings webcast was what he titles, "Calvinist Derangement Syndrome" (or "CDS"). CDS is quite apparent on this board.

What is CDS and how is it identified on this board? For starters:

An obsession with all things Calvinist.

Attacks on John Calvin the man, not John Calvin's views on predestination and election.

A failure to deal with the biblical theology at the center of the debate.

Insults instead of substance.

Just because a person opposes Calvinism does not mean they suffer from CDS. It would be dishonest of me to lump everyone together. But there are a few individuals who are, sadly, effected by this malady.

How should we, who do not suffer from CDS, deal with those who do?

1. Be gracious when possible.
2. Consistently, and firmly, draw them back to the theology as revealed in Scripture.
3. Avoid attempts to impugn the theology of the Bible by not responding to attacks against well known Calvinists, such as John Calvin. In other words, if you don't feed them they will go away.
4. Do not use their tactics. Take the high road, always. If you have found yourself wrestling in the mud with those who suffer from CDS, clean yourself up and resolve to stay clean.

 

[steaver]

I'm spending part of my Friday evening listening to The Dividing Line by Dr. James White. One of the topics he covered during this evenings webcast was what he titles, "Calvinist Derangement Syndrome" (or "CDS"). CDS is quite apparent on this board.

What is CDS and how is it identified on this board? For starters:

An obsession with all things Calvinist.

Attacks on John Calvin the man, not John Calvin's views on predestination and election.

A failure to deal with the biblical theology at the center of the debate.

Insults instead of substance.

Just because a person opposes Calvinism does not mean they suffer from CDS. It would be dishonest of me to lump everyone together. But there are a few individuals who are, sadly, effected by this malady.

.

Actually, all these points could fall under Calvinist themselves;

What is CDS and how is it identified on this board? For starters:

(1) An obsession with all things Calvinist.

(2) Attacks on John Calvin the man, not John Calvin's views on predestination and election.

(3) A failure to deal with the biblical theology at the center of the debate.

(4) Insults instead of substance.

All four I have seen Calvinist do.

How should we, who do not suffer from CDS, deal with those who do?

1. Be gracious when possible.
2. Consistently, and firmly, draw them back to the theology as revealed in Scripture.
3. Avoid attempts to impugn the theology of the Bible by not responding to attacks against well known Calvinists, such as John Calvin. In other words, if you don't feed them they will go away.
4. Do not use their tactics. Take the high road, always. If you have found yourself wrestling in the mud with those who suffer from CDS, clean yourself up and resolve to stay clean.

Agree 100% :thumbsup:

 

[robustheologian]

I'm spending part of my Friday evening listening to The Dividing Line by Dr. James White. One of the topics he covered during this evenings webcast was what he titles, "Calvinist Derangement Syndrome" (or "CDS"). CDS is quite apparent on this board.

What is CDS and how is it identified on this board? For starters:

An obsession with all things Calvinist.

Attacks on John Calvin the man, not John Calvin's views on predestination and election.

A failure to deal with the biblical theology at the center of the debate.

Insults instead of substance.

Just because a person opposes Calvinism does not mean they suffer from CDS. It would be dishonest of me to lump everyone together. But there are a few individuals who are, sadly, effected by this malady.

How should we, who do not suffer from CDS, deal with those who do?

1. Be gracious when possible.
2. Consistently, and firmly, draw them back to the theology as revealed in Scripture.
3. Avoid attempts to impugn the theology of the Bible by not responding to attacks against well known Calvinists, such as John Calvin. In other words, if you don't feed them they will go away.
4. Do not use their tactics. Take the high road, always. If you have found yourself wrestling in the mud with those who suffer from CDS, clean yourself up and resolve to stay clean.

Wow this describes so many on here...the first person that popped in my head was Rebel.

 

[steaver]

Wow this describes so many on here...the first person that popped in my head was Rebel.

I was thinking of a few Calvinist here and those who hold to Calvinism tenants, even though they don't like being called a Calvinist.

 

[Reformed]

Wow this describes so many on here...the first person that popped in my head was Rebel.

Those who suffer from CDS are not a mystery to anyone who is active on this board. With very few exceptions I do not interact with them. It is a fools errand. There are enough Monergists on this board that we can invest our time wisely by encouraging one another. The truth will get out to those who want to read it and we can avoid contact with CDS.

 

[Rebel]

Wow this describes so many on here...the first person that popped in my head was Rebel.

Hmmm.... Let's see. A person finds words from Calvin's own mouth which show what he did, and that person gets insulted, called a liar, a hypocrite, says he will face God's judgment, and yet it's that person who is "deranged"? Very interesting.

You all have zero integrity.

Admit that Calvin is condemned by his own words, and I might have at least some respect for you. This is not something that someone made up about Calvin. These are his own words from letters he wrote.

SNIP

 

[Revmitchell]

I'm spending part of my Friday evening listening to The Dividing Line by Dr. James White. One of the topics he covered during this evenings webcast was what he titles, "Calvinist Derangement Syndrome" (or "CDS"). CDS is quite apparent on this board.

James white what a joke. He might want to consider Matt 7:3

 

[robustheologian]

Hmmm.... Let's see. A person finds words from Calvin's own mouth which show what he did, and that person gets insulted, called a liar, a hypocrite, says he will face God's judgment, and yet it's that person who is "deranged"? Very interesting.

You all have zero integrity.

Admit that Calvin is condemned by his own words, and I might have at least some respect for you. This is not something that someone made up about Calvin. These are his own words from letters he wrote.

SNIP

First of all, I didn't call you those things. Second, you have an unhealthy fixation with this "Calvin". Third, no one is losing sleep because you don't have respect for them. People are bothered when those they respect stop respecting them. You're making it hard for people to respect you.

 

[Rebel]

First of all, I didn't call you those things. Second, you have an unhealthy fixation with this "Calvin". Third, no one is losing sleep because you don't have respect for them. People are bothered when those they respect stop respecting them. You're making it hard for people to respect you.

That is a lie. Have you conveniently disregarded the fact that I have continually spoken out against ALL the Magisterial Reformers and the RCC for doing the same things that Calvin did? The reason I have to keep bringing Calvin's atrocities up is because of the misinformation and denial of the facts about him.

But Luther was complicit in Anabaptist persecution; Zwingli was the same; Cranmer in England was also.

I condemn anyone who persecuted and murdered others in the name of Christ.

 

[Reformed]

Second, you have an unhealthy fixation with this "Calvin".

And therein is the problem with those who suffer from CDS. They attack Calvin as though the Monergism vs. Synergism debate pivots on one individual. They do not realize that they come off as unhinged and obsessive. Even in this thread they have not failed to parade John Calvin in order to try and make a point. It is sad, really. The reason it is sad is because the theology behind sovereign grace is wrapped in beauty and grace. It is full of mercy and hope. Monergism offers a hope that God's decree is unshakable. Those who trust in Him can never be removed from His loving care of their souls.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Hmmm.... Let's see. A person finds words from Calvin's own mouth which show what he did, and that person gets insulted, called a liar, a hypocrite, says he will face God's judgment, and yet it's that person who is "deranged"? Very interesting.

You all have zero integrity.

Admit that Calvin is condemned by his own words, and I might have at least some respect for you. This is not something that someone made up about Calvin. These are his own words from letters he wrote.

SNIP

And you took the bait....snap goes the trap

 

[Thousand Hills]

James white what a joke. He might want to consider Matt 7:3

Yeah, who does this James White character think he is anyways? I don't see him in the 30,000 post club on BB. No way he'd make it in this place, to many sharp guys like you Mitch, thats for sure. :tongue3:

 

[Thousand Hills]

And therein is the problem with those who suffer from CDS. They attack Calvin as though the Monergism vs. Synergism debate pivots on one individual. They do not realize that they come off as unhinged and obsessive. Even in this thread they have not failed to parade John Calvin in order to try and make a point. It is sad, really. The reason it is sad is because the theology behind sovereign grace is wrapped in beauty and grace. It is full of mercy and hope. Monergism offers a hope that God's decree is unshakable. Those who trust in Him can never be removed from His loving care of their souls.

Well said :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Saw this today, and thought of the "CDS" crowd over here at BB

 

[Reformed]

Yeah, who does this James White character think he is anyways? I don't see him in the 30,000 post club on BB. No way he'd make it in this place, to many sharp guys like you Mitch, thats for sure. :tongue3:

The fangs came out against James White when he had the audacity to challenge Ergun Caner's fabricated claims. The tactic of attacking the messenger was employed.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Thread closure

This thread is dealing with personalities rather than concepts and ideas. So, I'm closing it