“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

Ten years ago “Thankful” by Caedmon’s Call was released and since then it has been one of my favorite songs. And as I thought this week about what makes me thankful; my famly, my friends, and the blessings that I have, I couldn’t help but think that better than all of those is the never ending grace that God continues to show me, even though “the same old struggles that plagued me then are plaguing me still.”

Thankful
Caedmon’s Call

You know I ran across an old box of letters
While I was bagging up some clothes for Goodwill
But you Know I had to laugh at the same old struggles
That plagued me then are plaguing me still
I know the road is long from the ground to glory
But a boy can hope he’s getting some place
But you see, I’m running from the very clothes I’m wearing
And dressed like this I’m fit for the chase

‘Cause no, there is none righteous
Not one who understands
There is none who seek God
No not one, I said no not one

So I am thankful that I’m incapable
Of doing any good on my own

‘Cause we’re all stillborn and dead in our transgressions
We’re shackled up to the sin we hold so dear
So what part can I play in the work of redemption
I can’t refuse, I cannot add a thing

‘Cause I am just like Lazarus and I can hear your voice
I stand and rub my eyes and walk to You
Because I have no choice

I am thankful that I’m incapable
Of doing any good on my own
I’m so thankful that I’m incapable
Of doing any good on my own

‘Cause by grace I have been saved
Through faith that’s not my own
It is a gift of God and not by works
Lest anyone should boast

Calvinism ShirtTime Magazine recently did a feature story on the “10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now“.  Among the list which includes recycling, amorality and bio-banks is the almost 500 year old belief system called Calvinism.

It is interesting to see this belief system on the rise (at least according to Time), because the teaching of the most prominent churches today is not usually of a sovereign, all powerful, all knowing God.  Most churches choose to teach a weaker faith where the individual is in control of all aspects of the relationship with the god of his/her choosing. 

From my perspective, the God of the bible, when taught the way the Bible teaches Him is not as popular as the god who looks and acts like Santa Claus.  The God I know is in charge, no matter how bad the situation seems.  He is powerful enough to do anything, knows everything, and is everywhere.  That God is deserving of worship.  That is one of the main ideas behind Calvinism…

Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Christian life that emphasizes the rule of God over all things.[1] It was developed by several theologians, but it bears the name of the French reformer John Calvin because of his prominent influence on it and because of his role in the confessional and ecclesiastical debates throughout the 16th century.

from Wikipedia

But don’t misunderstand me, I would not say I’m a Calvinist anymore than I would say I’m a Baptist.  I follow Christ and His word, the Bible.  When a belief system teaches something that is Biblical, it is correct, but when it teaches something that is contrary (or extrabiblical) to the teaching of scripture, that belief system has gotten it wrong.  In other words, when men control a belief system, it can often become a religion void of truth and love for Christ, but when men merely interpret the Bible and allow it to be the standard, people meet and grow in love for Jesus.

I think Calvin got it right, becasue I think Calvin understood what the Bible said.  Therefore, I am a Bible believing Christ follower who happens to agree with Calvin’s understanding of some of the biggest theological concepts from the Bible.

Mark Driscoll, of the “new calvinists” mentioned in the Time article has written a couple of blog posts about this topic, I encourage you to check them out, and especially give me your thoughts on His first post.

Copyright © 2010 - Greg Johnson