HOW CALVINISTS SPREAD THANKSGIVING CHEER Charity and predestination go hand in hand.

Wall Street Journal ^ | November 18, 2011 | Aaron Belz

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Next Thursday, as the rest of us tuck into our turkey feasts, hundreds of needy families in Southern California will open "Boxes of Love." Delivered by several churches led by Pacific Crossroads in Santa Monica, Calif., the boxes contain ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal for six. They allow impoverished families to skip food lines and neighborhood pantries and enjoy the holiday in their own homes.

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. Yet the church's pastor, Rankin Wilbourne, is happy to pepper his sermons with references to Bono and "Jersey Shore," and the church has grown to around 1,500 members from 500 in three years.

Rev. Wilbourne and his staff created an umbrella agency called Hope for LA in 2008. Since then it has partnered with 18 other programs around Los Angeles, some with religious affiliations and some without. Through Hope for LA, Pacific Crossroads members can choose volunteer opportunities that best suit their interests and strengths. One such ministry is Boxes of Love.

"We got the idea from Here's Life Inner City, a ministry of Campus Crusade," says the director of Hope for LA, David Kleinknecht, about the origins of Boxes of Love. "And as the economy went south and they had to cut back in L.A., we took on the coordination of mobilizing well-resourced churches to fill boxes and delivering them with the help of inner-city churches." No coincidence: The founder of Here's Life Inner City was...

[Natural Law]

How’s RCIA going?

[Judith Anne]

My group does it every Wednesday, not just once a year. We are a great fellowship, and really are blessed by the opportunity.

[Natural Law]

"My group does it every Wednesday, not just once a year."

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. - Mother Teresa

[MarkBsnr]

That’s your opinion.

That's Calvin's opinion. He claimed that I can do nothing that I was not predestined to do. So when I blow a raspberry in your direction, it is not my fault according to him. Pbbbbbssssstttttttt.

[rzman21]

I wonder how American Protestantism would have developed differently had it been Lutheran rather than Calvinist in origin.

[Natural Law]

"So I'm guessing that the only thing which makes this piece newsworthy is that it's Calvinists who are doing it."

As flawed as Calvinism might be we need to recognize and thank them for their efforts of the poor. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us;

361 "This law of human solidarity and charity", without excluding the rich variety of persons, cultures and peoples, assures us that all men are truly brethren."

[Judith Anne]

Actually a number of rhe churches in my small town cooperate to serve lunches to the poor, on differing days of the week, so that there is always a place open with a free, fresh, hot meal for those who need it. I know of several guests who “make the rounds” as they call it.

In addition, ost of the churches, including ours, have pantries to distribute free food. As you mentioned above, this is year round/

[Dr. Eckleburg]

No, the information of special note is that there are 1,500 Calvinists in Santa Monica.

That in itself is a miracle of God’s grace.

[marshmallow]

No, the information of special note is that there are 1,500 Calvinists in Santa Monica.

Really? Then why isn't that the headline?

If that is the main point which the author wishes us to take home, then the headline would have read "Calvinists See Numbers Grow in Santa Monica" or "Presbyterian Church Grows to 1,500 Members".

That's not the headline at all because the story is devoted to another subject entirely; the issue of Thanksgiving boxes being distributed by Calvinists. The number of church members is given a single passing mention at the end of paragraph two. It's clear that the author considers the distribution of "Boxes of Love" to be big news.

Try again.

[editor-surveyor]

Dr. E, Glad to see that you’ve recovered from your alleged eternal life threatening infection of Romanism. :o)

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

I have met many fine Calvinists over the years who believe they are faithfully following the Lord Jesus Christ and believe their lives are led by the Holy Spirit. Their lives give evidence to the faith they profess by the many good works i see them perform.
Their belief in predestination does not hinder their performing the good works they believe the Holy Spirit is leading them to perform.
These Christians would never be caught telling untruths about what others believe, nor do they take pleasure in the uncovering of sin committed by members of the Church.
The fact that not all Calvinists are like my friends should not be used to paint all Calvinists with a broad brush.
I hate when it is done to Catholics and hate when it is done by Catholics just as much.
Hebrews 10:24 tells us:
and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works.
let’s all follow the example these Presbyterians are giving us, not to earn any grace as some allege, but to follow the command to love one another given to us by our King, Jesus Christ. ( today being the feast of Christ the King )

[RnMomof7]

Looks like someone is serving up a heaping helping of hypocrisy for Thanksgiving. When you feed the poor you are ridiculed and scoffed at for useless corporal works of mercy.

Only if ya think that will transform ya from a goat to a sheep

[Judith Anne]

Feel free to criticize.

[Judith Anne]

>>>>>So how long an indulgence do ya get for all YOUR work??

Just the pleasure of telling Jesus I love Him.

[Salvation]

Today's Gospel:

Gospel Mt 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?'
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.'
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."

[nobdysfool]

My older brother is the pastor of a Presbyterian church in Lemon Cove, CA.....