I am not a Calvinist, but I also have to object to this stereotype. It is both wrong and unchristian. I think it is based on a misconception of Calvinism to reflect the hyper-Calvinism of the anti-missions movement. Historically, those opposed most to this movement were Calvinistic Baptists (for an example, read of R.B.C. Howell – the second president of the SBC – and his fight against anti-missions.).
Think of people like John Eliot, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, William Tennent, William Carey….and again…William Carey….Francis Shaeffer, to name a few. These all held those Calvinistic doctrines that some are saying results in anti-missions.
Lesser known but just as valid: Dan and Chuy Hall (Mexico), Trevor Johnson (Indonesia), David Sitton (New Guinea), Paul Brock (Germany), Kevin and Edineia Millard (Brazil), Csaba Liedenfrost (Ivory Coast), Pawel Bartosik (Poland)….just to name a few. There are church plants like Rivne Biblical Church in Ukraine, and CREC Poland. There’s the Slavic Reformation Society’s work in Russia.
I’m SBC, and regardless of how we view the man and his policies, it would be foolish to call David Platt “anti-missions” (perhaps he's not a Calvinist, but his views would certainly put him in the same boat as “anti-missions”). Think of John Stott and John Piper and Bill Metzger. My goodness…..think of Tim Keller and the work he’s done to that church in New York. And there’s Paul Washer (his missions to Peru, and Heart's cry Missionary Society).
I think that some Calvinists rely too heavily on theory and have missed the boat on some issues (and this error of relying on theory is in no way limited to that camp, nor does it extend to all Calvinists), but missions certainly is not one of them.
Are Saints Called to Preach/Share the Gospel?
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by JonShaff, Dec 9, 2015.
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tyndale1946 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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robustheologian Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The internet has made it possible for the myth of Calvinism and anti-evangelism to be debunked. This is how one can come to the false conclusion that Calvinists for 50 years were against anti-evangelism. All the Calvinists that one encounters does not make up all the Calvinists...nor most Calvinists. Small circles creates narrow conclusions.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I'm sorry but it is a common and well known characteristic of Cals in general. However, I did also say that it was only recently that the younger generation of cals have been more evangelistic. So you example of Platt is irrelevant. -
Exactly what time period are you speaking of when Calvinists typically shunned evangelism or missions? -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I've provided a noninclusive list of Calvinists who were very much mission oriented (William Carey is, BTW, known as the "father of modern missions"). I am Southern Baptist, and looking back at the focus of missions by Johnson, Howell, and Fuller (the first 3 presidents of the SBC) it is easy to see your mistake (not the reason for it, but that it is one).
You have ignored the majority of Calvinists who opposed anti-missions Calvinism. That hyper-Calvinism was present in some Calvinistic circles (especially Primitive Baptists influenced by Daniel Parker....and if I remember correctly, Texas has the last remaining "two seed" churches....but it may be North Carolina....I am not certain). But these were a minority and the anti-missions movement was strongly opposed by Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike. Looking back, it seems that they were actually challenged more often than not by Calvinists.
Let’s look at a few non-recent Calvinists who have influenced missions.
John Eliot was a missionary sent to the American Indians in the 17th century. He is thought to be the first missionary among this people group.
David Brainerd was a missionary to the American Indians and it has been said that he sent more people into the mission field than any person in the history of the church due to his diary (An Account of the Life of the late Reverend David Brainerd).
Of course there is George Whitfield and the First Great Awakening.
William Carey translated the Bible into Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Arabic, Hindi, and Sanskrit.
William Tennent founded the Log College (Princeton University) to train pastors.
Robert Moffat was the first missionary to reach the interior of Africa with the Gospel. He translated the Bible into Setswana.
Robert Morrison was the first Protestant missionary to China, and translated the Bible into Chinese.
Henry Martyn was a missionary to India and Persia.
Again, is there a specific time frame you we should look at to prove your point? -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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You keep on stereotyping the whole based on a part. It was not a "prevailing attitude", it was a dangerous and short lived attitude, but Howell and Carey were also Calvinists. -
Do you have some sound evidence for your accusation, or are you just being unChristian as well as the other you accuse? Will you show us all one doctrine that Calvinists use that is only theoretical and not exegetical, and where these have 'missed the boat on some issues' (a plurality obviously). The missed the boat thing must be a huge one (or more) so it should be very easy to prove with no reasonable doubt. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Also, as has been expressed by another in this thread what Calvinists see as evangelism everyone else see as inaction and lack of concern. What most cals I have talked with pass off as evangelism is nothing resembling what scripture says to do.
I have to go. I have prayer meeting and other things. Will check back later. -
It would be like saying since Westboro is PB then that is the model of all PB's. That would be unfair and untrue.
Paul preached to all, we do not know whom God has elected, yet the Gospel message is to be shared for the sake of the elect (some will hate that phrase immediately but it is 100% Biblical) and there will be suffering to go along with it - 2 Timothy 2:8-10. God will certainly save whom He has set out to, Acts 2:39, but we are (should be/can be) partakers by His decree in so doing, 1 Cor. 3:6. -
I made the comment so that Rev would also know that I am not just blindly defending my own theology (as sometimes happens on this board). I’ve stated before that Reformed Baptist appears much too often to be RCC doctrine twice removed. But you do make a good observation that we need to define “Calvinism” before continuing this discussion on a new thread. That may be a good start when you begin the discussion. -
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