Calvinist Flyswatter

Do Hybrids oppose evangelism?

WHY DO SOME THINK THE FLOUNDERS
AND HYBRIDS OPPOSE EVANGELISM?

It seems to be the case that many, if not most, of the current crop of "Reformed" Hybrid Calvinists, such as the Flounders, were actually converted under what they now call "Arminians."

We know that was the case with Ernest Reisinger, Founder of the Flounders, and some others whose names we could mention. Several of those in the Internet Hybrid "sect" who write against "altar calls" and "invitations" say they were saved during invitations. See some of my responding articles here.

Now, I am not campaigning for the "Arminian" theoretical system of theology, but I am saying just what I have always said --

Salvation is not exclusively confined to a theoretical system, sect, or professing Christian entity.

The Lord is not in a certain "box." The Holy Spirit does not operate exclusively under an "Arminian," "Calvinist," "Baptist," or some other label.

The truth is, the Holy Spirit honors the Word of God by whomsoever it is proclaimed. And that is especially true of the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. This is the instrumentality by which the Holy Spirit calls men to faith in Christ (1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Thess. 2:14; Romans 1:16; Mark 16:15, 16).

SPURGEON:
>>
I believe, most firmly, in the doctrines commonly called Calvinistic, and I hold them to be very fraught with comfort to God’s people; but if any man shall say that the preaching of these is the whole of the preaching of the gospel, I am at issue with him.

Brethren, you may preach those doctrines as long as you like, and yet fail to preach the gospel; and I will go further, and affirm that some who have even denied those truths, to our great grief, have nevertheless been gospel preachers for all that, and God has saved souls by their ministry. . .

Preach Christ, young man, if you want to win souls. Preach all the doctrines, too, for the building up of believers, but still the main business is to preach Jesus who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. . . .

This simple truth, that “Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save that which is lost,” and that “whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life,” must be your jewel, your treasure, your life. [Quotations above from sermon #786 — The Great Mystery of Godliness, MTP Vol 13, Year 1867, 1 Timothy 3:16]

But the perception by many non-Reformed Christians is that "Reformed" advocates are really opposed to evangelism. While the Hybrids resent this perception, nevertheless it is there, and we raise the question, Why so? Is there not a cause?

Consider the following questions, and I think your own answers may give some indication as to why the "Reformed" are perceived as being against evangelism and soul winning:

1. How many "Reformed" advocates do you know who directly and consistently preach the Gospel to the lost, urging the lost to come to Christ?

2. How many "Reformed" advocates do you know who directly invite a sinner to believe on Christ and come out openly in some manner to confess Him?

3. How many "Reformed" advocates do you know who use any method at all -- "altar call," "invitation," "raising hands," or any means of response -- to call sinners to an immediate "decision"?

Spurgeon believed in pressing for an immediate decision. He advised his students to have methods to accommodate professions of faith. He was known to favor inquiry rooms, raising hands, the Sinner's Prayer, and one-on-one witnessing by his "sharp-shooters."

How many "Reformed" preachers do you know who use any method at all to prompt a response from sinners to a faith-decision to accept, believe on, receive, trust, come to, commit to Christ as Saviour?

Your answers to these questions may indicate why "Reformed" advocates have the persona with many as opposing evangelism and soul-winning efforts. In all too many cases, they are not only not engaging in positive evangelistic efforts, but they are even opposing others who are making evangelistic efforts.

They are perceived by many as more interested in "reforming" some person or church from "Arminianism" than they are interested in converting lost souls to Christ. They appear to many to be more zealous for their version of "Calvinism" than they are zealous for promoting the Gospel to a lost world.

If the "Reformed" -- Flounders, Pedos, and others -- want anyone to believe that they favor evangelism, they will have to "walk the talk" and prove by their example that what they say with their mouths is what they are actually doing.

SPURGEON:

You will, doubtless, have observed that this summary of the gospel is very simple. Whenever you meet with teaching which is cloudy and complicated, you may generally conclude that it is not the gospel of your salvation, for the truth of Christ is so plain that he who runs may read, and the wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein.

Perhaps some of you have been thinking that conversion and salvation are dark and mysterious things, and that you have to pass through many singular operations and feelings in order to be saved. Now, beloved, the whole of our faith lies in a nutshell. He that believeth in Jesus Christ the incarnate God, is saved. These few truths if grasped by the mind, received and trusted in by the heart, will save you. It is at the cross that salvation must be found. . . .

Bind it about your heart, and defy the hosts of Rome or hell to unloose its folds. Wrap it about your loins in death, and hold it as a standard in both your hands in life. This simple truth, that "Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save that which is lost," and that "whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life," must be your jewel, your treasure, your life.

[Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Volume 13, Year 1867, #786, excerpts from pages 706-708].

posted by Bob L. Ross @ 11:31 AM