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What does Light Beer and American Evangelicalism have in common?
We haven't had a good religion post lately; I was getting a little worried that we'd gone too far into the secular direction so I've thrown this one into the ring from the Irish Calvinist.
People have described some of the contemporary practices within evangelicalism as being driven by consumerism. We can see evidences of this with many of the popular devices that are employed, whether it be in the altering of vocabulary, the transition from preaching to conversations, the emphasis upon felt needs rather than spiritual needs, the polling of unbelievers as to how church should be conducted, a deemphasis upon doctrine, a redefinition of Jesus as weak and effeminate, and an idolatrous portrayal of a God who’s love is able to trump his righteousness. Regrettably, all of these things are common today.
Read the entire article here.
Considering I'm Catholic I obviously disagree with Calvinism theologically, but I do believe that if you're going to be an intelligent Protestant strict Calvinism, from the theological debates I've read, is the only way to go. Everything else falls apart ultimately.
My hunch is that the reason why Calvinism is gaining popularity in many Southern Baptist circles (and other fundamentalist Evangelical circles) is that they're trying to find some "tradition" that can intellectually combat the increasing Catholic encroachment on their turf. I think this is a great move, because it will mean that we (Evangelicals and Catholics) can really begin to have an honest dialog with real understanding of the differences.
2 comments:
Great article indeed. And though I do appreciate a special reverence for "tradition", I don't know that it what is driving this. I think it's simply a recognition of the commercialism and everchanging adjustments to societies standards. God's standards have not, and will not change regardless of what society desires - this is a tough pill to swallow in an world full of entitled people demanding instant gratification.
Admittedly, there are instances of this in my own church...but to some degree they're in every church. I don't say that as justification, but simply as a reminder for those righteous who are strict followers of tradition - whichever ones they may choose.
I wasn't clear in my my post; I meant to emphasize his discussion at the end about the growing interest by Southern Baptists and/or evangelicals, in the Protestant theological/intellectual tradition, specifially in Calvinism, more than simply traditional aspects of worship or reverence - although that, too, to some degree.
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