Since the end of blogspotting has been (kinda) promised, I should be able to link to and identify a certain blogger without having to be concerned about appearing on a list of favorite sycophants at his site. (He admits that blogspotting fuels the endemic narcissism in the blogdom, but does it anyway; in contrast, most of us feel that narcissism is less than a good thing.) But I am a bit vigilant – not paranoid! Don’t call me paranoid!!! – and so will take some “precautions.”

At any rate, not wanting to risk showing up there despite the promise, I’ll allude to this blogger in a way that reduces the likelihood of being caught by his web. He uses (I’m sure) Google to see where his name pops up as well as (finally) Technorati, but I don’t think either of those pick up synonyms.

I am referring, of course, to the – what shall I call him? – hmmm, uh, “FireFanatic,” whose real name is something similar to “Phil Son-of-John.” Please don’t misunderstand: I have nothing against him or his website; in fact, I think he’s doing a remarkable job and has gotten off to an extremely fast start. He understands the medium well and knows how to gain a following. Good for him. My only aversion concerns blogspotting, as I have explained earlier.

Having spent so much time on a long and largely unnecessary diversion to begin this post, let me now turn to the reason I am writing. It has to do with a debate that started elsewhere but took root – or burned brightest – on the “ FlameThrower” blog. The subject concerns one of elements of the famed TULIP of Calvinism (if Calvin’s work can be fairly reduced to that), one that separates those of a Reformed conviction from others who also might regard themselves as Calvinistic in their theology (such as myself).

Limited Atonement – alse called “Particular Atonement” or “Particular Redemption” – is the belief that the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ did not atone for the sins of all people of all time but only for those who have been chosen by God in eternity past. Those who believe in Unlimited Atonement are sometimes charged with not understanding the nature of the atonement, with preaching universalism, with denying election, with denying the sovereignty of God, or any combination of the above. There are likely other charges, too, that are brought against those of us “outside the camp,” but the preceding are sufficient for now.

I am not going to argue for my position in this post but will instead plead for some respect and acceptance for those of us who disagree with Reformed dogma. I have encountered comments and statements implying that people such as I do not understand the atonement or don’t understand election or don’t understand the implications of Unlimited Atonement (thus saying that they understand my position even if I don’t).

Now, I certainly don’t know everything there is to know about Reformed theology and I have not read all that there is to read – and Reformed theologians are, if nothing else, prolific in their writing. But I have studied and profitted quite a bit from the many Reformed writers and theologians I have read, not to mention those who taught me during my stints in seminary. I have a great deal of respect for and feel no small amount of indebtedness to these men and women, many of whom have a great deal more education and facility with Scripture than do I.

This is no less true for the many gracious Reformed bloggers who have befriended me – even going so far as to include me in the League of Reformed Bloggers! – and made me a part of the believing community. I’m thinking primarily of Tim, David, Adrian, Andy, Dory, and Milton as I write this, but I am by no means excluding others – including the BlazeBlogger.

But let’s have a little humility, huh? Let’s not pretend that all wisdom resides in Reformed theology or Dispensational theology or Arminian theology. Or that the throne of God is resident in Pittsburgh or Dallas or Asbury. Or at any other church, seminary, or parachurch organization espousing a particular doctrinal perspective.

We must all have convictions, certainly, but must also hold them gently in addition to firmly, admitting that no system of theology can do justice to all the data of Scripture. All theologies break down at various points and, when they do, we are faced with a choice: twist the Scriptures to fit our preconceived notions or – correctly – admit our limitations and move on. You’re never going to get it all correct and, if you think you have, then you have brought God down to your understanding for the sake of your peace of mind. You can’t get your mind around Him or His ways. Deal with it.

There are many things that God has told us definitively and we must not compromise these clear statements. But there are many other things that He has not seen fit to disclose to us – and may never reveal to us – and we can either fight against Him or accept our place as the created ones. He owes us nothing by way of explanation; He has already told us far more than we deserve.

So here’s my offer: don’t take cheap shots at me or others who disagree with you (regardless of your theological orientation) and I’ll stop writing posts like this. Those who are non-Reformed, non-TULIPers (or non-Dispensational, non-Arminian, non-whateverarian) are not the village idiots. We have not misunderstood what you think we have and you don’t understand our position better than we do. We just disagree, that’s all. We are responsible for our beliefs as you are for yours – but to God, not one another.

So let’s rejoice in what we do have in common – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for starters – and not go on and on or puff ourselves up about our differences. Our only boast is in Christ, not any particular school of man-made theology. It is enough to be called by His name; we don’t need to exclude others to form our own inner circle of “we’ve-got-it-right-and-you-don’t” believers.

There are (among other verb forms) indicatives and imperatives in the Bible. We must pay attention to and believe that statements, but we need to do the commands. Accept the declarations and get busy on the orders. The Kingdom of God, I think, will be better for it.


2 Cor 1:13