It grieves me, it really does. We call ourselves a "Reformed" Church and so far no cleric of the church, let alone any church member, has shown any awareness, in my admittedly feeble hearing, that this year marks the 500th birthday of John Calvin! On July 10th to be precise.
So it gladdens an old sheep's heart to learn that our Minister will be giving five summer-evening talks on the basic ideas of Calvinism, ideas which have shaped the history of Europe and therefore the world far more than most of he flock realise.
Do you know Calvin's TULIP? No, the great man never committed horticulture - TULIP is the famous acronymn for the central themes of classic Calvinism.
Keeping it simple ......
T for "total depravity". This doesn't mean people are as bad as they can be. It means that sin is in every part of one's being, including the mind and will, so that a man cannot save himself.
U for "unconditional election". God chooses to save people unconditionally; that is, they are not chosen on the basis of their own merit.
L is for "limited atonement". The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was for the purpose of saving the elect.
I for "irresistible grace". When God choses to save someone he will.
P is for "perseverence of the saints". Those people God chooses cannot lose their salvation; they will continue to believe. If they fall away, it will be only for a time.
Gripping eh? Or annoying? Did you know this is what "Reformed" means?
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