Chinese Calvinism Flourishes

[JM]

Chinese Calvinism flourishes | Andrew Brown | Comment is free | theguardian.com

I didn't know Calvinism was 'shrinking' in NA...

Although Calvinism is shrinking in western Europe and North America, it is experiencing an extraordinary success in China. I spent some time on Monday talking to the Rev May Tan, from Singapore, where the overseas Chinese community has close links with mainland China.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Interesting...I'd like to know how and where these people get their stats. I am certain people like me, without an official Church membership anywhere, could be included in the stats. I think it is quite possible, that Christian Churches as a whole, are shrinking in NA. A couple of reasons behind my theory, is economics, and because older people make up the majority in so many Churches, and they pass away. I used to do alot of "Church hoping" from one to another, and something they had in common was a lack of young people 20's - 30's. However, I think Calvinism is on the rise, one evidence is Ligonier Ministries which has grown by leaps and bounds just in the relatively short time I have been a Calvinist.

 

[General Mung Beans]

The same is true among Korean Christians.

 

[lesliedellow]

However, I think Calvinism is on the rise, one evidence is Ligonier Ministries which has grown by leaps and bounds just in the relatively short time I have been a Calvinist.

Yahoo Answers is not a site I would recommend to anybody wishing to retain their sanity. However, not so long ago, somebody professing even vaguely Calvinist beliefs on there would expect to earn a bundle of thumbs downs. That seems to happen much less often now.

 

[DanielRB]

My rather limited perspective is that there seems to be a winnowing processes in the Church: Bible-believing Christians often start off in Arminian Churches, and one of the following happens: (a) they grow cold and drop out altogether; (b) the become more Charismatic/Pentecostal; or (c) they become more Reformed. I see Arminianism as a step in the road for many Christians, and (IMO) it's inherent instability makes it difficult to maintain as a permanent position.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on choice (a); it could be that they end up "going liberal", becoming turned off of Christianity altogether, or that they develop more congestive dissonance but remain. But in my experience, it's not a very pleasant long-term position to find one's self in.

 

[RINO 72]

I don't despise Pentecostalists just those who would turn the means of grace into a freaking carny show.

 

[AmericanSamurai]

Hmmm... I have been seeing more Chinese visitors at my church lately.

 

[JM]

The article seemed a little slanted. Do you suppose it has more to do with elitism rather than true conversion?

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

My rather limited perspective is that there seems to be a winnowing processes in the Church: Bible-believing Christians often start off in Arminian Churches, and one of the following happens: (a) they grow cold and drop out altogether; (b) the become more Charismatic/Pentecostal; or (c) they become more Reformed. I see Arminianism as a step in the road for many Christians, and (IMO) it's inherent instability makes it difficult to maintain as a permanent position.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on choice (a); it could be that they end up "going liberal", becoming turned off of Christianity altogether, or that they develop more congestive dissonance but remain. But in my experience, it's not a very pleasant long-term position to find one's self in.

There is actually an old saying that goes something like this: If you educate a Charismatic, you end up with a Presbyterian. At least in my case, the saying was true.

 

[AmericanSamurai]

There is actually an old saying that goes something like this: If you educate a Charismatic, you end up with a Presbyterian. At least in my case, the saying was true.

It was true with myself as well.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

There is actually an old saying that goes something like this: If you educate a Charismatic, you end up with a Presbyterian. At least in my case, the saying was true.

looks like that makes at least three of us here.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I found this article to be quite unexpected. Having been to China last year to teach the Bible and having many Christian contacts on the Chinese mainland I have yet to encounter a single individual who has even heard of John Calvin, much less Calvinism. In fact, the whole concept of denominations is quite foreign to them. They have Catholic churches in their midst but consider them to be a foreign religion unrelated to biblical Christianity.

I will say that the government of China is not inclined to look favorably on Western religion, be it Catholicism or Calvinism or any other variant.

 

[Keachian]

There is actually an old saying that goes something like this: If you educate a Charismatic, you end up with a Presbyterian. At least in my case, the saying was true.

I just turned Reformed, kept being a Baptist...

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

I just turned Reformed, kept being a Baptist...

Well, we're always reforming so there is hope for you yet.