Calvin, the mind and shalom

The confusion between Baptist theology and Calvinism continues. It has become an unargued assumption that Calvin and Credo-baptists are one in their understanding. John Piper and many others are flying this flag. It makes no sense — it is logically impossible.

The reason? Calvin presents a system of theology that is a whole cloth, and the covenant is central to it.As a definitive expression of the covenant, the children of believing parents are included in the sacramental signs and seals. Genesis 17 is a good text to ponder. His system is so closely knitted together, taking away one thread destroys the fabric.

But to take him up as one’s figurehead, all the while denying two-thirds of the Institutes is simply irrational — Presbyterian government is another heavy point that many choose to simply ignore. I am not trying to make any claims to Calvin-ownership, far from it. This is simply a philosophical issue for me. If I disagreed with Marx, I would not call myself a Marxist. If I disagreed with Plato, I would not call myself a Platonist. But, for some strange reason, certain pastors who are at odds with many of the primary teachings of the man still claim him as their own.

If this kind of thing continues, the sheep are going to get more and more confused as time goes on. It seems like these men have little or no concern for the minds of the people, and expect them to fall in line with an irrational leap across an empty chasm. They have done with Calvin what Apple did with Ghandi — turned him into a