CHRISTMAS CALVINISTS AND ESCAPIST CHRISTIANITY
Those who embrace less than the five-points of Calvinism are sometimes jokingly referred to as “Christmas Calvinists.” This humorous, although succinct, designation refers to the sporadic and partial acceptance of Calvinism by many believers today. In truth, there is not such a creature as a three or four point Calvinist. The doctrines of graces are interrelated to the extent of reflecting the entire, inseparable, salvific package. Like the Irish shamrock of three leaflets for teaching Trinitiarianism, the Dutch flower (TULIP) effectively summarizes the doctrines of grace as well. Where the rubber seems to hit the road in embracing Calvinism is the L in the acrostic TULIP.
Limited or particular atonement somehow frightens our Arminian and semi-Pelagianist friends. The very thought of salvation being from the Lord alone directly interferes, threatens, and undermines their perceived ultimate humanistic control (captainship) of their eternal destinies. They have become accustomed to the aberrant but popular notion that God helps them to save themselves (i.e., cooperative grace, partnership salvation, etc.). Thus, according to their reasoning, God is entirely at our mercy. Moreover, the miraculous second birth or regeneration is relegated to the whims of the fallen will of man. In contrast, the Bible clearly teaches that our sovereign God never goes on a rescue mission that fails. What an awesome God we serve!
We are well familiar with Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series having become a big hit at bookstands everywhere. Rapture theology is very appealing to the human heart. People don’t like the idea of being persecuted for Christ, and they long to escape this present world without any difficulties or hardships. It becomes a very soothing theology--something people really want to hear. This popular teaching has rightly become known as “escapist Christianity.” However, by its sheer theological complexity, we should be able to see it as a comforting hoax at best. It usually takes alot of talk to butter up an untruth. This reminds us, as former Adventists, of the complicated elements of the SDA investigative judgment alibi. Indeed, salvational truths are not complicated at all.
Dennis Fischer