5 point Gillinist
Active Member
I have been becoming increasingly aware of and nauseated by what I notice within reformed circles. Likely this is just the umpteenth wave of the young restless and reformed movement, but it has been grating on me for a while.
I'm kinda sick of Calvinism (a term which I don't appreciate) being "trendy." I'm tired of the shirts, merch, etc. depicting reformed theologians, having the five Solas on them, or some quote from a reformer. Biblical theology is not hip or trendy. "Everything for the glory of God" isn't just a catchphrase. I'm tired of the pride people take in simply being reformed, a personal anecdote for some context is a church that gave out buttons one Sunday that said "isn't it grand to be reformed?"
It's not enough to be reformed, the real need is rebirth, and charity in the nonessentials. It seems like being reformed rather than reborn is popular amongst these individuals. One can have all knowledge of the bible yet not be saved - 1 Corinthians 13:2.
Maybe I'm just burnt out, but I would rather live for Christ in pursuit of the biblical life that the puritans and reformers bemoaned that they had not yet attained, rather than sit around the coffee shop with the other twenty-somethings wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a shirt with Luther on it, talking about how reformed I am.
Reformed theology isn't a club, it is a study of God based upon the bible that should produce humility, charity, and thankfulness to Christ. It is not simply a philosophical or academic pursuit.
I adore reformed theology and the rich understanding of God that many men far greater than me have led me to, but I abhor the celebrity worship and trendiness, and elitism that has been attached to it.
I'm not taking shots at anyone on here nor does it apply to anyone I've seen here, just airing a grievance of things that I have observed personally. I suppose it is that same in any body of believers, there are those who talk about it and live according to it and those who simply like to talk about it because it is "in."
I'm kinda sick of Calvinism (a term which I don't appreciate) being "trendy." I'm tired of the shirts, merch, etc. depicting reformed theologians, having the five Solas on them, or some quote from a reformer. Biblical theology is not hip or trendy. "Everything for the glory of God" isn't just a catchphrase. I'm tired of the pride people take in simply being reformed, a personal anecdote for some context is a church that gave out buttons one Sunday that said "isn't it grand to be reformed?"
It's not enough to be reformed, the real need is rebirth, and charity in the nonessentials. It seems like being reformed rather than reborn is popular amongst these individuals. One can have all knowledge of the bible yet not be saved - 1 Corinthians 13:2.
Maybe I'm just burnt out, but I would rather live for Christ in pursuit of the biblical life that the puritans and reformers bemoaned that they had not yet attained, rather than sit around the coffee shop with the other twenty-somethings wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a shirt with Luther on it, talking about how reformed I am.
Reformed theology isn't a club, it is a study of God based upon the bible that should produce humility, charity, and thankfulness to Christ. It is not simply a philosophical or academic pursuit.
I adore reformed theology and the rich understanding of God that many men far greater than me have led me to, but I abhor the celebrity worship and trendiness, and elitism that has been attached to it.
I'm not taking shots at anyone on here nor does it apply to anyone I've seen here, just airing a grievance of things that I have observed personally. I suppose it is that same in any body of believers, there are those who talk about it and live according to it and those who simply like to talk about it because it is "in."
