John Calvin on Evangelism and Missions

The Founders Journal ^ | Summer 1998 | Ray Van Neste

[Gamecock]

GRPL Evangelism Post!

[xzins]

Is it true in calvinism that your faithfulness in evangelism will not make any difference in Person X's being regenerated?

[Buggman]

"It befits us" to desire all people to be saved.

How does it benefit us to desire something that God does not?

[ksen]

Perhaps the best evidence of Calvin's concern for missions is the mission activity of the Genevan church under his leadership. Under Calvin's leadership, Geneva became "the hub of a vast missionary enterprise"[14] and "a dynamic center or nucleus from which the vital missionary energy it generated radiated out into the world beyond."[15] Protestant refugees from all over Europe fled to Geneva; they came not merely for safety but also to learn from Calvin the doctrines of the Reformation so they could return home to spread the true gospel. Philip Hughes notes that Geneva became a "school of missions" which had as one of its purposes to send out witnesses who would spread the teaching of the Reformation far and wide . . . . It [Geneva] was a dynamic centre of missionary concern and activity, an axis from which the light of the Good News radiated forth through the testimony of those who, after thorough preparation in this school, were sent forth in the service of Jesus Christ."[16]

Wonderful!

[ksen]

Is it true in calvinism that your faithfulness in evangelism will not make any difference in Person X's being regenerated?

Would Esther's faithfulness have made any difference in tribe X's being delivered from Haman?

• For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this? - Esther 4:14

[Gamecock]

Let's not drag scripture into it....

[xzins]

I take that to mean that you agree that your unfaithfulness will not prevent elect person X from being regenerated.

Is that correct?

[ksen]

My unfaithfulness will not hinder someone from being saved. God will raise up someone else to bring them the Gospel. That only makes sense because salvation is of God, not me.

If person X's salvation rested on my faithfulness then their salvation would be dependent upon me, not God.

[Gamecock]

If person X's salvation rested on my faithfulness then their salvation would be dependent upon me, not God.

Now what belief system teaches that as their basic tenant?

[jude24]

Now what belief system teaches that as their basic tenant?

Good question. When you find someone who believes in libertarian free will, let me know. Until then, this is little more than theological self-gratification.

[xzins]

What we have done is establish a basic premise. That premise that:

-- Person A's unfaithfulness will prevent zero elect from regeneration. The converse of that is: Person A's faithfulness is not necessary. That is the basis of the accusation that calvinism is not concerned with evangelism, and is the basis of those calvinistic groups that discourage evangelism because it is unnecessary. The problem, of course, is that the calvinists will claim that they have affirmed the "duty" of Christians to proclaim, and that somewhere in the decree of God there might be a rationale for this duty that in which it might make a difference that cannot be defined in this realm.

Regarding Free Will one can say that: Person A's faithfulness might assist one of the "any who will believe" to come to regeneration. This is the basis of the accusation that free will advocates think that they are responsible for someone's salvation. Again, it over-reaches because it does not recognize the word "assist" and replaces it with the idea that the believer is "responsible for."

[P-Marlowe]

A moderate Calvinist might say that the fact of Person A's faithfulness in planting the seeds and praying for the salvation of person "B" may have been seriously taken into consideration by God in the ultimate decision as to whether or not to provide irresistible Grace resulting in the election of person "B".

IOW God foresaw the faithfulness of A in planting the seeds and praying for B and because of the faithfulness of A, he chose B.

A Moderate Calvinist might say that.

[visually_augmented]

I personally don't understand why there would be any question that Calvinists should evangelize. If God commands us to do something, we should do it - it's not disputable. The Bible is filled with God commanding us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whether or not God uses our actions for His purpose should be a non-essential condition for obedience. If God does use us as instruments of His Grace, all the more wonderful.

Is your question concerning God ordering us to do something that may appear pointless? If that is the case, how about loving your enemies? That commandment appears to violate human reason as well. If we truly love God, we will naturally obey His word without complete comprehension of God's ordained will.

[Buggman]

Now what belief system teaches that as their basic tenant?

Both.

Now I'm still waiting for an answer to my question: Why should we desire that which God does not, e.g. the salvation of all people?

[A.J.Armitage]

You're still trying to invent a way for human will to alter God's plan. Why was A faithful in the first place?

[suzyjaruki]

Why should we desire that which God does not, e.g. the salvation of all people?

"It befits us" because we are image bearers of God and the reprobate are still made in the image of God and we are to love them. What does it mean to "love" ? In this sense, I believe it means that it is not my desire that anyone have to face God's wrath and eternal punishment. It is, instead, my desire that all men be saved. However, it is my greater desire for God to be glorified, that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

[P-Marlowe]

It is, instead, my desire that all men be saved.

Does not God share that desire with you? (1 Tim 2:4)

In that sense is not your will aligned with His?

[T.L.Sink]

A good acronym to remember essential Calvinist doctrine
is TULIP. Total depravity of man; Unconditional election;
Limited atonement; Irresistible grace; Perseverence of
the saints. Calvin was trained in the law which is why
his theological writings are clearly written. He was also
very clear about why he had Servetus burned at the stake.

[P-Marlowe]

He was also very clear about why he had Servetus burned at the stake.

Why was that?