Calvinism is the new black

They should make it a prerequisite to calling oneself a “Calvinist” that one take a two-year long course on the Institutes of the Christian Religion (the whole thing, not just the “Five Points”), and in the context of the local church. It is funny, but Calvin is so much different than much of the new Calvinist clap-trap that is floating around the web. Much of it does not have the clarity and warmth of Calvin, nor his acumen. I think it is driven by the “Five Points” more than the Institutes, which are not so easily used as a club or a “test pattern” for orthodoxy. It’s like a bunch of high-school bullies are now pastors and “theologians”. They all have big hammers, and everything looks like nail to them. “Hey McFly, are you a four or five pointer?” Whammm! 

The fact is, many of them deny by the practice about half of what Calvin taught: presbyterian rule, paedo-baptism and a host of other things, including paedo-communion. The latter half of the Institutes weigh in on themes that are entirely lost on these guys. But heh, it’s the new cool.