Earlier this week, I read the New York Times front page article on my favourite Pastor, Mark Driscoll. I love this guys preaching and the impact his ministry has for many people.  I even got the chance to meet him when he visited Australia last year.

But the one area I still struggle with is Calvinism – Driscoll’s belief system.  So much of me gets it and believes in the teaching of Calvinism, but the opposite belief of Arminianism also resonates with me in a huge way.  In a very basic nutshell to those of you who don’t understand the difference:

• Calvinists say that God chose you to be saved
• Armenians say that we accept Christ and are then saved

So the fight is about “who chooses who?”  There are a tonne of scriptures to back both views and this topic is HOTLY debated amongst the best and brightest Christian leaders and teachers – both past and present.  Me? I’m kind of stuck in the middle – slightly leaning to the Calvinist side.  But Driscoll is a full on Calvinist.

And in the New York Post article, amongst other things, the topic of Calvinism was discussed at length – especially in contrast to the “seeker sensitive” movement and the pathetic “bling” gospel of the biggest loser, Joel Osteen.

But it was interesting to see how the article focused on Calvinism and below are a couple of quotes:

“God has predestined every human being’s actions, yet we are still to blame for our sins; we are totally depraved, yet held to the impossible standard of divine law.” authors take on Calvinism.

Elsewhere the author writes…

“(Calvinistic theology)… strike[s] many modern evangelicals as nonsensical and even un-Christian. …and some babies who die in infancy — if God placed them among the reprobate — go straight to hell with the rest of the damned, to “glorify his name by their own destruction,” as Calvin wrote.

Although I lean towards Calvinism, this line of thinking makes Calvinism look very harsh indeed.  However I feel it’s a bit unfair only to focus on this aspect of Calvinism and not on the grace shown to mankind also.

In regards to Arminianism, again I think the author got it completely wrong.  The article says:

“Since the early 19th century, most evangelicals have preferred a theology that stresses the believer’s free decision to accept God’s grace. To be born again is a choice God wants you to make; if you so choose, Jesus will be your personal friend.”

Makes it sound so pussy and week!

But at the end of the day, like I said, the battle is about “who chooses who?”

Enter the atheists.  In the climate described above and the misuse of faith (aka religion) and all the stupid things done in God’s Name like wars and causes, the atheists are fighting back – and they’re doing it in a mass market kind of way.  Have a look at the following clip to see what I mean:

This is happening in many countries and in an increasing trend.  But good ‘ol Australia bucks against the trend – for how long is any one’s guess.  Sure flies in the face of Christianity doesn’t it?  Especially against Calvinists.

So it got me wondering.  With the growing popularity of Calvinistic theology amongst many churches, is this atheistic activity only the beginning of a new power struggle?  Is there a spiritual battle brewing as the mindset of man is once again being influenced by two opposite extremes?

I know which side I’m taking but I’m sure there are many people out there about to be duped “Da Vinci Code” style with this new advertising trend.  What they are doing is great advertising – only for a stupid cause.  Maybe we should copy their idea and adapt to a Calvinistic worldview and have massive billboards saying:

“God chose you to be saved.  Now live it out!”

Or  – a more tongue in cheek slogan for our atheist friends could read:

“April Fools Day – International Day of the Atheist”

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” Ps 53:1

Yeah I know that last one has been done to death – doesn’t mean it’s not true though!

Final words, click here for a detailed article regarding Calvinist V Arminian debate and click here for Driscoll on GodTube – another error from the author of the article as it stated Driscoll is to rough for GodTube.