Being a Biblical Calvinist in 2009 or any other year

Well, the first thing would be to just use the word “Christian,” as a sufficient label.  I know it is John Calvin’s 500th birthday this year, but I’m sure the best present his self-described followers could give him is to stop using his name in vain…

But since Calvin has been a spiritual father to me and many of my readers (as Paul was to many not only as the author of Scripture but as a pastor in the church of his day), it seems appropriate to think about how we might improve our character in 2009.

By the way, welcome to my first post of 2009.  Is Dick Clark beginning to resemble Father Time or what?  Truthfully, we decided to watch Sabrina, instead.  The second one with a rather young-looking 53-year-old Harrison Ford.  Woo hoo. We’re just party animals.

Anyway, this is aimed at the Calvinist subculture because that group has taken up the mantra about doing things for God’s glory.  This is a Biblical idea that merits attention by all Christians.  It is used in the Bible.  Here it is:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,  just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

As is clear from the context, this is a summary definition.  What does it meant to do something to the glory of God?  It means, doing it without giving offense, trying to please everyone, without seeking one’s own advantage.  Not only are we told that this is how one acts to the glory of God, we are told it is God’s own behavior.  Whe we act in this way we are imitating Christ and Christ is God.

(Incidentally, you can find a similar group of ideas in Paul’s writing at the beginning of chapter 15 of the book or Romans in a similar context.)

How often do we associate giving glory to God with caring for others more than oneself or with the fact that God pursues the advantage of others rather than his own advantage?  Frankly, I often think people get the idea that doing things to God’s glory means giving Him the advantage because he so demands.  This may sound pious, but it is actually demeaning and idolatrous, making God into a creature who needs to gain at others expense, rather than acknowledging he is the creator who gives to all.  God is worthy to be glorified–that is, thanked–precisely because he shares his glory with others.  When discussing the idea of pursuing glory from others in John’s gospel, Jesus clearly repudiates such behavior as unworthy of God:

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

God is the giver of glory, not the taker.

One thought on “Being a Biblical Calvinist in 2009 or any other year

  1. Jeff Meyers

    You know, I think I just might agree with this! 😉

    Good words, Mark. Happy new year to you and your family! I hope you are having a great break in Dallas. Simon is just fine, but I’m sure he’ll go crazy for joy when the family returns.

    Reply

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