Calvinism Makes me Cry

January 9, 2013

Calvinism Makes me Cry

“If Calvinism is true, it means that God creates disposable people, people without any hope. It means that God not only allows, but sovereignly ordains, every war and every abortion and every rape of a child. It means that God does not love the world; he hates it. If Calvinism is true, it means that if that dying little girl that you held in your arms in India was not among the elect, then God did not love her. He never had any intention of loving her. She was nothing to Him. In fact, he would delight and find glory in her eternal torture in hell. And whenever I raise these points with Calvinists, all they can say is that I should be more grateful for my own salvation! It’s like, ‘as long as my eternal destiny is secure, as long as my life is all planned out and taken care of by God, who gives a damn about anyone else!’ How can you be okay with that? How can anyone be okay with that? Why do I feel like I’m the only one who finds this morally offensive?”

-Rachel Held Evans (found here)

Quote of the Week

Posted by:

Gregory Jeffers

3 responses to “Calvinism Makes me Cry”

DonG

January 12, 2013 at 12:00 pm

I won’t take the time to debate the quote by Ms. Evans, but I do think the end of her post is interesting. She speaks of her fears, and wonders, what is she is “not among them (the elect) either?”

The quote above can be considered scary, but what might be even scarier is, what if it is true? I find that such an emotional approach to such a crucial issue will seldom lead to a truth that does not satisfy the emotion. Hence, any answer a Calvinist might offer will not satisfy, because we are basing a response on emotion rather than searching for truth.

If you are talking to Calvinists who say, “I should be more grateful for my own salvation!” then perhaps you are talking to the wrong Calvinists, because I do find such a response morally offensive. Paul would have given up his own salvation, for the sake of his kinsmen (Romans 9:3). But he also know that he could not do that. I saddened him as it should sadden anyone that another might face damnation.

I struggle with the idea of Calvinism. I have come to my own conclusions regarding that theology. Thankfully, I will not be damned should my theology be off in a few areas. But the tone of the quote is not that of a humble servant. God is who God is, and if I am not ready to accept that, whatever the case may be, perhaps it proves Him more right and just no matter what our emotions tell us.

I remember often thinking my parents were mean and unjust for things they did. Now that I am a parent, my thoughts have changed. Who can put themselves in God’s place and say how things ought to be? In any instance, it is sheer arrogance to do so.

Reply
Alan Molineaux

January 9, 2013 at 4:45 pm

Perfectly put. I have never met a Calvinist who deals with this adequately.

Reply
1. Gregory Jeffers
  
  January 10, 2013 at 10:24 am
  
  Agreed
  
  Reply

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