[Vision2020] Calvin was a crab, or why Doug Jones can be as rude as he likes

[Joan Opyr]

Keely writes:

"It's simple.  Doug Jones is behaving in a most unChristian manner, and as a 
Christian I am beyond heartsick about it.  The Scriptures say it best, 
perhaps:  'Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to 
give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with GENTLENESS and 
RESPECT, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously 
against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.'" (1 
Peter 3:15-16)

I agree with this assessment, though perhaps it's not my place to do so as I 
am not a Christian.  Still, since when has that stopped me?  I'll add, 
therefore, that I think you've missed a trick here, Keely -- is Doug Jones 
being un-Christian or is he just being a good Calvinist?  (I don't discount 
the possibility that the two are one and the same.)  I've been reading a 
fascinating little book by George Bryson called The Five Points of 
Calvinism: Weighed and Found Wanting.  (Incidentally, there's a blurb on the 
back cover by none other than Douglas J. Wilson, who praises the book's 
understanding of Calvinism if not its author's unflattering conclusions.)  
As a good Calvinist, why should Doug Jones model good Christian behavior?  
Since, as Mr. Bryson explains, Calvinists believe that "we are saved or 
damned for all eternity because we have been saved or damned from all 
eternity," what would be the point of evangelizing?  What would be the point 
of presenting the Christian gospel in a positive light?  Why be kind?  Why 
be nice?  Why treat anyone with gentleness or respect, particularly if you 
think they're damned?

According to Calvin, God must regenerate the unregenerate sinner *before* 
the sinner can have faith in Christ, and God only regenerates those he has 
chosen from all eternity to be the saved.  The rest of us, spiritually 
speaking, have our fingers in our ears.  Calvin says God put those fingers 
there, but never mind that -- the point is that if Doug Jones believes he is 
one of the saved, one of the elect, and that you and I and Wayne Fox are 
not, then he doesn't have to be nice to us.  He doesn't have to share the 
good word.  It would be a waste of time, like talking to a deaf mule or Gary 
Bauer or the IRS.  We don't have faith because we can't have faith; God 
won't let us have it.  It's a shame and a pity but there it is.  Doug waves 
to us from his lofty perch, and maybe he's even sorry for us, but if he 
sticks out his tongue and says "nyah, nyah," well, what of it?  God saved 
his soul before the world began, and nothing he does now can damn him.  
Lucky old Doug.

Here is my thoroughly unhumble opinion, borne out, I think by the fine 
examples of Calvinism that we've seen here on Vision 2020: ugly doctrine 
leads to ugly behavior.  For those of you who are interested in just how 
unattractive the doctrine of election can get, I recommend a brilliant novel 
by James Hogg, "The Private Confessions of a Justified Sinner."  If you 
can't find a copy, or if you're put off by 19th century fiction, try picking 
up a Bible and carefully reading the gospel of John.

I think Keely will thank you and, oddly enough, so will I.  You don't have 
to be Christian to believe in kindness, but if the world had more people who 
believed as Keely does, and who presented those beliefs in the same generous 
and charitable spirit, it would be a far better place.

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment

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