In this interview, Pastor John MacArthur predicts the coming demise of the "New Calvinism," a prediction that I concur.
Actions have consequences. The idea that a mere profession of right doctrine alone is enough is idealogical Gnosticism. If one's profession does not lead to the corresponding right actions (orthopraxy), it shows that one's profession is false and the one making the profession to be a liar. The consequences of compromise will become evident in due time, and the collapse of the movement in which one has poured out his life energy into is one highly probable consequence.
Piper's compromise of the Gospel through his association with Rick Warren is probably the most prominent action which MacArthur recounted, the inviting of Federal Vision heretic Douglas Wilson at the DG 09 conference being another of them. Piper is obviously free to ignore his critics and attack them as being unChrist-like, but ultimately it matters not what we or him thinks is "biblical," but what God actually and objectively commands in His Word. And judgment begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). The fallout from these actions may not be perceivable at first, but the dishonor it brings to God, the stumbling of believers, and the possible falling away of other professing Christians will be evident in due time. Keller's denial of the plain reading of Gen. 1 and thus denial of the Creation account is another such compromise which will reap the whirlwind in due time.
The philosopher George Santayana once said that those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The episode that most parallels this resurgence of Calvinism is the Welsh revival of 1904-1905. That revival failed because of its rank revivalism and lack of a focus on the Bible and biblical truths. Likewise, if the teachings of Scripture are redefined, affirmed in the head but denied in practice, or ignored, while these people are busy attacking "watchbloggers," this recent revival will be like the 1904-1905 Welsh revival, and die out accordingly.
God WILL not bless activities that are contrary to His commands. When will men start realizing this: God is God not a vending machine to dispense "purpose," "joy," "peace," "a feeling of God's glory" etc as and when we desire them? Instead of all this triumphalism, repent and weep! Stop all the noise about being "missional," "contextualizing the Gospel," "fulfilling the Great Commission etc" while you are blaspheming God's truth all the while you play at doing church.
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light,
as if a man fled from a lion,
and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
“I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
(Amos 5: 18-24)
I'm so relieved that MacArthur is seeing the same things some of us have been seeing. I do believe we are witnessing "Christian Hedonism" in all its horror.
ReplyDeleteI know someone into the "new Calvinism" thing, although they would not put it that way, and it seems like they are in it only to be a part of the whole "Christian liberty" thing. I wonder if they really believe in the doctrines of grace and why its so amazing. I would not say I am into the new Calvinism, YRR, because those movements seem to be all about the benefits of salvation rather than the One who grants salvation.
ReplyDelete@Denis:
ReplyDeleteI will reserve my judgment on the relation between Piper's teaching of "Christian Hedonism" and his current compromises.
@CC:
ReplyDeleteyes, I would not say I am into this moveent either, although sociologically you could place me there.
I too am relieved to hear John MacArthur speak out on the falling away of the church into apostasy. I am encouraged by John's clear teaching of God's Word. I am also happy to know that Grace Seminary will be bringing forth men of God to be pastors who know how to shephard a flock and lead thru God's Word as the truth.
ReplyDeleteI am also relieved that MacArthur is seeing this as so many of us have been watching and seeing.
ReplyDelete@cynde:
ReplyDeleteAmen
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteLet me first state that I do not have a complete understanding of "Federal Vision" and also have not investigated the writings of Doug Wilson. By labeling Doug Wilson as a "heretic", this a rather harsh, unfair and unkind name calling of a fellow Christian brethren whose views you may not fully agree.
If you check these two links on Youtube which were an one-to-one interview with Doug Wilson about what Doug Wilson actually believes and teaches, this should shed some light to my comments on your harsh and unfair labeling.
Conversation with a Federal Vision Pastor (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knCF6ciMRNE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL584C3260DE7EBB40
Conversation with a Federal Vision Pastor (Part 2 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPyfq3yollo&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL584C3260DE7EBB40
@GWIT:
ReplyDeleteI will check the videos in due time. In the meantime, I disagree with your defence of the FVists. Many denominations have already deemed the FV as being unorthodox at best, like the OPC, the PCA and others like them. Books have also been written showing why the FV is totally unbiblical by scholars like Guy Prentiss Waters and R Scott Clark.
Doug Wilson is not a fellow believer. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing who teaches salvation by faith plus church membership. I have previously done an analysis of one of the FV documents which can be found here
(http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/ddd_chc82/theology/ContraJointFVProfession.pdf).
I will stick with the consensus among the Reformed churches on this issue. And I hope and pray that FV Peter Leithart will be excommunicated from the PCA soon.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteAs I have clearly stated at the onset, I don't know enough of Federal Vision and thus I am NOT defending Federal Vision or its proponents.
The issue I am raising is that you have labeled Doug Wilson a "heretic",that is a strong charge and must be substantiated by his deviation from the Gospel and doctrines of the bible. By the basis of what he has said are in fact his core basic beliefs and teachings and convictions in these two interview videos and amongst the many others on that can be found on youtube,it is needful to tread with great care when making a sweeping labeling on a brethren.
@GWIT,
ReplyDeleteI will look at the videos when I do have time. For now, I will just say that the more sophisticated heretics do not parade their heresy but hide it from others. Note that Doug Wilson is the leader of the CERC (Confederacy of Evangelical Reformed Churches) which is basically the Federal Vision denomination.
Plus, there is a book specifically showing the heretical views of Doug Wilson himself. The book is entitled "Not Reformed at All" by John Robbins and Sean Gerety.
ReplyDelete