Kingdom Minded Calvinist

I’ve been a Calvinist for a while, but I have not always the best representation of a Kingdom-minded one. I think it’s possible though.

Joel Littlefield

March 25, 2024

1–2 minutes

I find statements like this disappointing. I read it in a random comment thread this morning.

“I really like the work of ____________, BUT he’s a Calvinist”.

What’s with the “BUT”? What does that even mean?

Would this person say that about Spurgeon, Luther, Whitfield, Baxter, Gill, Owen, Bunyan, or Sproul…not to mention those still preaching…Baucham, Begg, Piper, Beeke, McArthur, and any of the thousands who line the halls of Christendom, holding firm the doctrines of grace as taught in Scripture?

One of my favorite preachers to listen to was Adrian Rogers.

Wait…but he was not a Calvinist.

So what?

Man…could Adrian preach and move me!

There are many working for Christ in this vast Kingdom. Let’s not act like we’re supposed to dislike someone because of their theology. Sounds kind of like junior high behavior.

I’m not talking about poor theology that mishandles Scripture, often intentionally, and misapplies the clear gospel message. We should not align with this. We should even call it out at times.

Brothers, sisters, and minister of the gospel, we can appreciate the whole of the Kingdom, and all of Christ’s co-laborers, while holding firm to our own Biblical and theological convictions?

Lanes are fine. Drive in your lane. Cross over from time to time (using your blinker). But let’s try not to run the wrong people off the road.

If our convictions are truly biblical, then they should make us more humble, more like Christ…and less like the bickering world.

Let’s aim for this!

I’ve been a Calvinist for a while, but not always the best representation of a Kingdom-minded one. I think it’s possible though.

Share your thoughts in the comments please.

Share it on social media if you think it’s helpful!

4 responses to “Kingdom Minded Calvinist”

shepherdbob

March 25, 2024 at 11:16 pm

I KNOW what you’re saying is NOT just your own thoughts, Joel. It’s also not just “right” or “correct”, but BIBLICAL. John 17:22-23 22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” It’s simple and NOT complicated… but also, sadly, not easy to achieve. Bless you!

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1. Joel Littlefield
  
  January 29, 2025 at 7:11 pm
  
  Thanks for the reply and I apologize for the late response. Thanks for reading! Are you still receiving notifications of my new articles in your inbox? If not, I’d encourage you to subscribe.
  
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shepherdbob

March 25, 2024 at 11:18 pm

I KNOW what you’re saying is NOT just your own thoughts, Joel. It’s also not just “right” or “correct”, but BIBLICAL. John 17:22-23 ²²“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; ²³I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” It’s simple and NOT complicated… but also, sadly, not easy to achieve. Bless you!

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1. Joel Littlefield
  
  March 25, 2024 at 11:19 pm
  
  Thank you for the encouraging comment, brother. And thank you for reading the article. Give it a share on social media please.
  
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