I just read a posting by Andrew Brown of the UK Guardian concerning the growth of Calvinism and Reformed Theology in China. I then began thinking about why this is shrinking here in the USA and Europe, but is exploding in persecuted countries. Why is this do you think?

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William Price
Attending Mills Road Baptist Church, Houston, Texas

http://www.commandmentsandjudgment.com

The Reformed Voice Radio Broadcast

LBCF 1689

Because it is correct and bulletproof, since it is a faithful transmission of the gospel message and the scriptures in general.

Think about it; any Arminian theology has 'me' at the center, so you're fallible from the word 'go'. But it conveniently leaves oh so much room for personal 'interpretation'.

Calvinism is shrinking here because people don't want the gospel, they want their ears tickled. Why do you think the seeker-sensitive philosophy made such inroads? I get to tailor the gospel to ME! Is there anything greater than that?

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Kevin, husband of a truly angelic woman, and father to ten.
Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield
Ontario, Canada

I would also argue that persecution and other extreme tribulation leads one to cling to the sovereignty of God. In countries such as China, it is not hard to see the depths of man's depravity, especially of those who rule over you.

I once heard a preacher (Washer I think) posit that the resurgence in interest in the Doctrines of Grace and God's absolute sovereignty in all things could be a foreshadowing of things to come in America. Food for thought.

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Kipp Soncek
Pastoral Ministry Apprentice--Grace Church of Dupage
Student--Midwest Center for Theological Studies
Illinois; 1689 LBCF
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24

I'd say "ditto" to both the above posts.

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Kevin - PCA - Mississippi

"What, for some, is sin, others do to the glory of God. And the good Dr. Pentecost's remarks notwithstanding, I intend to go home tonight and smoke a cigar to the glory of God. It is a kind of incense drifting to Heaven." - Charles Spurgeon

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

Does anyone have any firsthand info about Calvinism or Reformed churches in China?

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Alex
Member of Carmel Baptist Church (SBC)
Matthews, NC

Great post, and encouraging to hear systematic biblical theology of all of Scripture is growing in China.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Calvinism is shrinking in the USA. The biblical reformed churches, broadly speaking are growing. Even former Presidents whose life patterns do not match Christianity, let alone the "five points" are calling themselves "Calvinists." The "new Calvinism" is something of a fad- it's almost cool to be "Calvinist" (though media and many do not understand it).

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Scott
PCA
North Carolina


"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
Hebrews 10:23

I am afraid I disagree; I think that Calvinism in North America is declining. This so called resurgence of Christianity among the youth is mainly in the Pentecostal/Arminian camp. Two days ago, I passed by one of the larger churches here in the Greater Toronto Area---The Meeting House. It is basically a Giant COSTCO sized warehouse converted into a church. It seats thousands and preaches an entertainment oriented religion masquerading as Christianity. All this while, the Reformed church service I attended today, had about 25 - 30 people. The Doctrines of Grace were preached and there were no young people in sight.

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Jacob Peters
Layman
URC
Toronto
Canada

I am inclined to disagree Jacob. While the Christianity, as Seen on T.V. crowd might be in full swing, there are many young folks who are turning to the true Gospel reclaimed in the Reformation. The PCA college aged ministry RUF easily "competes" with campus pentecostal groups and other ministries. Some part of me thinks that being "Reformed" is becoming the next new fad in American Christianity, but I do hope that the interest is genuine.

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Andrew DeShazo
Husband of Kathryn
Father of Phillip-Giles B. DeShazo
Deacon
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN
"From out of the depth of unbroken Infinfity arose the Question, "Who am I?" And to that Question there is the answer, "I am God!" -Meher Baba, died 1969.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Christ, died 33 AD, ressurected three days later.

i mentioned this fact (chinese calvinism growing...) to an arminian friend of mine and he said it is most likely a case of intellectual pride and then spoke of how pentecostal Christianity in africa has grown so much also....

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Adam Schaefers
Mariners Reformed Baptist Church (Attending regularly, but not yet a member...)
Coos Bay, OR

www.YoAdam.com

Yes, it has. And it will leave behind no less a burned-over area than did Finney.

William, why do you say that Calvinism and Reformed Theology is shrinking in Europe? I would be interested to see stats on that topic.

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Sandra, Lady of the Lake
CBA, Acton ME
http://www.viewsfromthedeck.blogspot.com

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Not everything that is reported in China is accurate, the grass is not as green as many puts it.

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Ewen
1689 LBCF
Assemblies of God Bible College
Singapore

Though some of them may be Buddhist or followers of Confucianism, a great majority of the Chinese in the Philippines are either Roman Catholic or evangelical.

There are Chinese Reformed believers as well in my country. I had the chance to meet some of them a few months ago. I would think that Calvinism among them (at least in my country) is experiencing growth.

NOTE: According to estimates, about 1% of the Filipino population is Chinese while about 10-20% of Filipinos are partly Chinese.

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Albert, The Republic of the Philippines
Pasig United Covenant Reformed Church (a Reformed church plant)
United Covenant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (UCRCP)
Three Forms of Unity and Westminster Confession of Faith

Psalm 27:1a (AV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
“Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts.” -

IMO, it is very hard to find out whether Reformed theology is growing in China, because since evangelical Christianity is largely forced underground by the authorities, the house churches tend to take in whatever the missionaries teach them. So one cannot take in whatever news report until some official figures appear.

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Tian Long (you can call me LTL)
Reformed Baptist
Singapore
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)

For His honor, glory and name!