Read this short article by piper (atleast the bold parts). Does it seem that he is being overly simplistic? Is this a correct way to go about things?
[quote:db8be40e33][b:db8be40e33]How to Teach and Preach "Calvinism"[/b:db8be40e33]
July 4, 1998
4. Make Spurgeon and Whitefield your models rather than Owen or Calvin, because the former were evangelists and won many people to Christ in a way that is nearer to our own day.
5. [b:db8be40e33]Be an evangelist and a missions mobilizer[/b:db8be40e33] so that the criticism that Calvinism dulls a passion for the lost is put to silence.
6. Work the five points out from the "I" in tulip not the "U". That is, show people that they don't really want to take final credit for their coming to Christ. They don't want to stand before God at the judgment day and respond to the question, "Why did you believe and others with your opportunities didn't?" with the answer, "Well, I guess I was smarter, or more spiritual." They want to say, "By grace I was brought to faith." Which is "irresistible grace." That is, grace that triumphs over all resistance in the end.
8. Don't ride hobbyhorses that aren't in the text. Preach exegetically, explaining and applying what is in the text. If it sounds Arminian, let it sound Arminian. Trust the text and the people will trust you to be faithful to the text.
9. [b:db8be40e33]Avoid theological jargon that is not in the text. The word "Calvinism" is probably not helpful. "Doctrines of grace" may not do it either. Just stick with what is there in the text, or come up with some new striking phrases that will cause the people to wonder and be excited.[/b:db8be40e33]
10. Tell stories and experiences from biography and from the lives of living saints that illustrate their dependence on the sovereignty of God. [b:db8be40e33]Especially stories related to missions and evangelism[/b:db8be40e33] and holiness of life.[/quote:db8be40e33]
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/doctrines_grace/calvinism.html
Number 9 sounds a bit fishy. The reason I am asking is that the pastors at my church seem to have this concept that Calvinism is [i:db8be40e33]just[/i:db8be40e33] a worldview. And any theological words are completely unnecessary. Now this is not a bad idea (as it is correct in a way), but if it gets out of hand its another story. Such as not preaching theological points that people need to hear. The thing is, that it seems that they are leaving the great points of Calvinism out in the open for anyone to interpret it at their own will, and just presenting a very broad worldview message.
????????????
Rembrandt
[quote:db8be40e33][b:db8be40e33]How to Teach and Preach "Calvinism"[/b:db8be40e33]
July 4, 1998
4. Make Spurgeon and Whitefield your models rather than Owen or Calvin, because the former were evangelists and won many people to Christ in a way that is nearer to our own day.
5. [b:db8be40e33]Be an evangelist and a missions mobilizer[/b:db8be40e33] so that the criticism that Calvinism dulls a passion for the lost is put to silence.
6. Work the five points out from the "I" in tulip not the "U". That is, show people that they don't really want to take final credit for their coming to Christ. They don't want to stand before God at the judgment day and respond to the question, "Why did you believe and others with your opportunities didn't?" with the answer, "Well, I guess I was smarter, or more spiritual." They want to say, "By grace I was brought to faith." Which is "irresistible grace." That is, grace that triumphs over all resistance in the end.
8. Don't ride hobbyhorses that aren't in the text. Preach exegetically, explaining and applying what is in the text. If it sounds Arminian, let it sound Arminian. Trust the text and the people will trust you to be faithful to the text.
9. [b:db8be40e33]Avoid theological jargon that is not in the text. The word "Calvinism" is probably not helpful. "Doctrines of grace" may not do it either. Just stick with what is there in the text, or come up with some new striking phrases that will cause the people to wonder and be excited.[/b:db8be40e33]
10. Tell stories and experiences from biography and from the lives of living saints that illustrate their dependence on the sovereignty of God. [b:db8be40e33]Especially stories related to missions and evangelism[/b:db8be40e33] and holiness of life.[/quote:db8be40e33]
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/doctrines_grace/calvinism.html
Number 9 sounds a bit fishy. The reason I am asking is that the pastors at my church seem to have this concept that Calvinism is [i:db8be40e33]just[/i:db8be40e33] a worldview. And any theological words are completely unnecessary. Now this is not a bad idea (as it is correct in a way), but if it gets out of hand its another story. Such as not preaching theological points that people need to hear. The thing is, that it seems that they are leaving the great points of Calvinism out in the open for anyone to interpret it at their own will, and just presenting a very broad worldview message.
????????????
Rembrandt