The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is the Calvinist Remnant

Just ran across that terminology, and have never heard of it before. I will leave out where I saw it as not to biased anything.

Hmmmm, context in which the term "Calvinist Remnant" would be more than helpful. "Remnant"... sure I know what that is; a very small part of a much larger whole. But "Calvinist" remnant is not found in the Bible, so I'm guessing it is a man made term for some new idea?

Pilgrim

Good answer, it is probably not good to assume what it is supposed to means.

Tom

This is where I ran across it. Still puzzled by it

https://thejackmillerproject.com/20...rr5f5JOMun80aQmLE_VxeNKGMqs3jxIaGS7-JDg4

Ahhh!! Now it all makes sense. Jack Miller was 'different' to be sure. No, I did not meet him personally as I was at WTS Philly after he departed there and started his "New Life Church". His ministry was akin to Bill Bright's "Campus Crusade for Christ" with a sorta Calvinist flair, let's say. Or, perhaps he could be described more of an "Evangelical" vs. historic Reformed. Along those lines Carl McIntire and a few other men broke from the newly formed Orthodox Presbyterian Church and started their own denomination named the Bible Presbyterian Church. The former held firmly to historic Calvinism and the Westminster Confession of Faith vs. the latter which was much influenced by Bob Jones and his Bob Jones University and thus was more "evangelical" in emphasis. Lastly, and to put it simply, the theological doctrine of the covenant of grace as taught in Scripture is incontrovertibly teaches that the elect of God are but a remnant of the entire human race, albeit they are vast in number. The Church's primary responsibility is to feed the sheep through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel in both its narrow and broad definition. Evangelism is but a part of the Church's outreach through which the elect are called both in the hearing of the Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit in those whom God has predestined to be redeemed in Christ, calling them out of this world and bringing them to fellowship among the elect saints. There is a most definite danger of any church to become "ingrown", of which I have seen to occur personally much to my sadness. But this fallacy is not due to the doctrine of "Calvinistic Remnant" but of poor and distorted preaching on one hand and the 'pride of life' that exists due to allowing unbelievers to become members of the visible church. Perhaps? this along with other factors led Jack Miller to get off track and fall into his own unique errors.

"There is a most definite danger of any church to become "ingrown", of which I have seen to occur personally much to my sadness."

Pilgrim, What do you mean by ingrown?

Simply put, the church has little to no effort in the matter of evangelism. Even further, some are not very friendly to 'outsiders' attending their worship services, especially if the visitors are not dressed 'properly' or they are not the 'right' ethnic background, or even the 'acceptable' color. The membership of these churches consists most always from the families who are members already, i.e., their children become members in due time. There is very little in the way of adult education in the church. Children are the focus, prepping them for the 'age of accountability' at which time they are expected to make a commitment to the church and its authorities. Very few genuine conversions are evident and thus many/most of the members are unregenerate although there is a semblance of outward morality in some.

The church I am blessed to attend does value diversity *in Christ.* Meaning we welcome all people who know Christ or are interested in learning about Him, BUT we will not water down the Gospel of Jesus Christ or any other teaching of Scripture, for any reason whatsoever. When the Bible teaches against sin, so do we. We hope God will use it to draw unbelievers to Himself, and believers into a closer walk with Him. Our aim is not to be "popular" but to please God; to glorify Him, edify His people, and proclaim the Gospel to all who will hear.

We love children, practice family integrated worship more or less, and do have Bible classes for all ages, although kids around 12 and up are encouraged to attend the adult classes. But we know that no one including children can be saved apart from Christ, and, as the Bible teaches nothing that hints of an "age of accountability," we don't either.

God has been growing our church through conversions. Most of our new families are either new to Reformed theology, or (almost equivalently IMO) to Christianity in general, and God has drawn them to us because they wish to know and walk with Him.

I am so blessed to be a part of this church, although, because I cannot credibly profess Christ, I am only a regular attender, not a member.