Why Does Calvinism Attract Christians?
Q: Why do you think Calvinism and its skewed perspective of God attracts so many Christians?
A: Well, I don’t think that all Calvinists necessarily have a skewed perspective of God. I think it’s valid to acknowledge that Calvinism, when carried out to its logical extremes, can give somebody a skewed perspective of God; that point can be argued. But folks, we all have our contradictions, every one of us. There are some very fair-minded Calvinists out there who don’t have a skewed perspective of God. But to the person who asks, “Well, what about those who do? Why do you think Calvinism and a skewed perspective of God attracts so many Christians?” I want to invite you to slow down and consider.
If you take the number of Christians in the United States, Calvinists (or Reformed people), are in the great minority among all who would call themselves Christians. A small percentage of Christians in the United States would call themselves Reformed or Calvinistic. To be fair, they make a lot of noise. They’re often good at using social media platforms to share their perspectives. There have also been some notable names in the Calvinistic world who people have been attracted to and appreciated and rallied around.
I don’t know that Calvinism is attracting so many Christians, but certainly it’s attracting some. And I don’t know that there are many reasons. It’s entirely possible that somebody could think that they are simply following the Bible, which to their view lines up with Calvinism. Now, I would say that on certain points, they’re not understanding the Bible correctly. But again, I don’t think they’re crazy for believing those things. I just think they’re incorrect. There is something that seems high-minded, smarter, or maybe even elite, about, Reformed Calvinists. And let me tell you, there are a lot of really smart people who have made a big impact on the church throughout history who have embraced those doctrinal perspectives.
So, I don’t think there’s any one reason why Christians are drawn to Calvinism, but it can hold a real attraction to people who are dissatisfied with what they have perceived to be a superficial faith. I don’t think anybody should have a superficial faith, but if somebody thinks that having a deep faith is equivalent to being Reformed or Calvinistic in your theology, I think you need to get out more. I think you need to meet more people. I think that my life and ministry certainly demonstrate a depth of faith and a depth of understanding in the Bible, and it hasn’t led me to embrace Calvinistic doctrines. Although, let me say this, I do not regard myself as an anti-Calvinist. I’ve received too much benefit from Reformed or Calvinistic commentators and preachers over the years to put myself in the anti-Calvinist camp, but I certainly don’t agree with them on certain doctrinal points.