Does Calvinism STOP Evangelism Or Actually Do it? (2of2 JW)

Does Calvinism stop evangelism? Well, the way you answer that question is dependent on what you're holding to be the standard for evangelism. If evangelism is getting tazered in front of a packed house, dropping objects from helicopters, or having rock concerts on Sunday mornings so you can coerce people into raising their hand, then yes; Calvinism does stop "evangelism". If, however, you hold the Bible to be the standard for objective truth and derive definitions from it, Calvinism not only encourages evangelism, it actually does it as opposed to the cases stated above. In Romans 1, Paul said, "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."
(Rom 1:15) The Greek word for "preach the gospel" is εὐαγγελίζω or euaggelizō and it means "to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)" Note who Paul was sharing his desire to preach the gospel to. He was speaking of believers. It kind of puts a new (or rather old) spin on what it actually means to evangelize.

James White discussed this in a Sunday School lecture a few years ago. He gave me permission to post this here. I recommend his website: http://www.aomin.org


Here is the 12 part series that this audio came from. It's called Common Attacks Against Reformed Theology. imeem is only allowing for 30 sec of each lecture to play at the moment, but I've been in contact with them and hopefully this problem will be resolved soon:
http://lanechaplin.blogspot.com/2008/03/common-attacks-against-reformed.html

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[OnlyTruthRemains]

Where are the scriptures? Calvinism is to much of man's reason and philosophy.

[LaneCh]

Sir, this is an 8 minute clip. Look at the other videos I've posted about Calvinism. Scripture is all we have to back it up. Arminianism, on the other hand....

[gospelhymnguy]

I'm speaking of the book God uses, the King James Bible. I know that comment makes me look like a Hill Billy, or whatever assumption those you have of those, like me, who believe in the infalibility of the AV. But God only wrote one book, look at at the millions of souls that were saved through the preaching of the AV, and apostasy we are in today because of 100s of "new" and "better" translations. Facts are stubborn things.

[LaneCh]

Well, facts are stubborn things, but we'd dispute what exactly those facts are. There's factual evidence that the KJV is not "the book God uses." I used to think that a long time ago, too, but it was because I was very ignorant of the greek. The KJV is a good translation, but hardly the book that, without which, millions of souls would not have been saved as Sam Gipp has implied before. Have you read the KJVO Controversy? I'm curious.

[gospelhymnguy]

Funny how he says it would be arrogant to change the gospel, when he believes in changing God's word.

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

[LaneCh]

What are you responding to in particular in regards to your assertion "he believes in changing God's word."

I would remind you to read my policy on commenting.

[Daninkorea]

hey gospelhymnguy, here in Korea God seems to use a Bible that's....dun dun dun daaa..... NOT the KJV 1611. Are we heretics? Is it not God who planted and grew thousands of churches over here? Should we stop our evangelistic outreach using versions that are 'not infallible'?...............

.....

Or should you change your worldview to include the fact that other countries exist and reflect the truth about the KJV?

[HermitintheRain]

Someone who is truly a Calvinist would be one, like Calvin, whose principles of obedience to the Lord Jesus are grounded in the commands of the Bible. The clear and last commandment to all his disciples was to make disciples, to preach the gospel to all. Jesus didn't instruct any to know who the elect are and preach to them. He simply commanded us to preach to all. It is God who is doing the electing. Our job is to proclaim the gospel by which God wills to call his elect.

[HermitintheRain]

Those who are sincere in trying to understand what is true Calvinism would be forced to do an inquiry into the life of John Calvin himself. When it was so done, it would be found that Calvin was far from being against evangelism. In fact he evangelized in places-the local tavern-where many anti-calvinists, as well as professing calvinists, wouldn't dare preach the gospel.

[HermitintheRain]

@OnlyTruthRemains As a result, over the years, even over the centuries it has been classified as Calvinism in that no one else has written such an exhaustive exposition of what the Bible teaches as is found in Calvin's Institutes. Those who are called to believe in Calvinism are merely those who are in agreement with what Calvin's exposition stated. If you were to do the same, perhaps those in agreement with you might someday be called OnlyTruthRemainsists.

[HermitintheRain]

@OnlyTruthRemains If you were to take the time to write down every aspect of what you know the Bible to teach, what would it look like? This is what Calvin did in his Institutes. What is necessary after what has been written, by you, me, Calvin, or anyone else that writes out what they know the Bible to teach, is to be as the Bereans to search the Scripture to see if those things are so. Millions have thus searched and found what he said to be faithful to the Bible.

[MODERATECALVINISM]

Proverbs 14:32

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

[imno1special]

Is this the James White that Lecrae talks about?

I only read a few comments and it looks like "there is a division in the body". Rather than argueing about this or that, let's "only speak what is useful for edification" & "impart grace to the hearers" so that "whatever is done is done in love" & "they'll know we are Christ-like by our love for one another" considering that "God is not the author of confusion" & we all merely "see in a mirror dimly" in our current state.

[terriergal]

> here in Korea God seems to use a Bible that's....dun dun dun daaa..... NOT the KJV 1611. Are we heretics? I

I've heard that many of the KJV people insist you learn King James English at minimum so you can properly understand the Scriptures. Nuts!

[terriergal]

Yeah where were we before that saint, King James. (a little sarcasm there). Even Paul used the King James!

[terriergal]

"Sounds like a KJV Only person."

who does?

[SeinUndZeit]

WHAT??!? Are you kidding me?? All Calvinism is is Scripture. Arminianism isn't backed up by a word of Scripture. You must be confused. Off the top of my head for Calvinistic verses:

John 6:37,44; 10; 17; Rom 3; 8; 9; Eph 1; 2... hmmm... who utilizes man's reasoning?