[Alex Murphy]

What's unusual about the Pacific Crossroads congregation—and what underpins efforts such as Boxes of Love—is its theologically conservative raison d'être. A member church of the Presbyterian Church in America, Pacific Crossroads is committed to Reformation doctrines such as total depravity (every person is born sinful) and limited atonement (salvation is available only to the elect). These beliefs are typically regarded as ugly and inhumane by American culturati....the church has grown to around 1,500 members from 500 in three years....

....in a city more often associated with Calvin Klein, John Calvin's teachings provide a basis for hope. In his commentary on II Corinthians 8, the 16th-century Swiss theologian connected Christians' assurance of salvation with their freedom to give to the poor:

"What makes us more close-handed than we ought to be is when we look too carefully, and too far forward, in contemplating the dangers that may occur—when we are excessively cautious and careful—when we calculate too narrowly what we will require during our whole life, or, in fine, how much we lose when the smallest portion is taken away. The man that depends upon the blessing of the Lord has his mind set free from these trammels and has, at the same time, his hands opened for beneficence."

[Springfield Reformer]

ping for later

[sr4402]

Presbyterian PCA (not PC-USA) Bump!

[fungoking]

They only think that they are choosing to deliver meals to the poor; it was predestined, they had no choice but to deliver meals. :)

[SkyDancer]

Why did Calvin preach “hope of salvation” when there were people predestined to Hell according to his theology?

[Our man in washington]

I was religiously liberal for a long time and always condemned Calvinism. Once I joined a conservative Presbyterian Church, however, I began to understand the practical side of Calvinism. In this post, I won’t argue the supernatural points, but just the side that helps people in this life.

One of the keys is that we are all sinners and in need of a savior. If everyone starts with that idea, people ask “how can I be a better person?” instead of “please tell me how great I am.”

Once a church rejects the idea of total depravity, it tends to descend into the minister praising the congregation. The congregation then doesn’t do anything to improve themselves and the results are usually horrendous.

Some traditional synagogues and Catholic churches teach a doctrine similar to total depravity, and therefore also get good results. Flattering the congregation is such a tempation from the pulpit, so it’s important to have doctrines that discourage that.

[BereanBrain]

Calvinists are a blight on Christianity.

[Mrs. Don-o]

“Boxes of Love” sounds like a grand and Christ-honoring idea. I say “Go for it, and God bless you.”

[ExSoldier]

My church belongs to Presbyterian PCA. One of the main reasons for the formation of PCA during the 1960s was over political activism by the larger and far more liberal parent church, Presbyterian USA. PCA formed and splintered off to teach the inerrant word of God and stay out of political issues like gun control (which was a specific sticking point at the time). Notice the USA "parent" stayed on the liberal line, over time advocating more and more extreme positions besides gun control like gay marriage, adoption and ordination of clergy. PCA is small but we're solid and conservative. PCA seems to be heavily present in the south, as far as I can determine.

[fungoking]

Once again...show me a calvinist who doesn't think that his son or daughter is one of the elect.

[SeaHawkFan]

Calvinism and cheer; now that’s an oxymoron.