If a pastor were to preach about sin, the networks would totally flip out! John MacArthur had his radio program cancelled because he preaches election and he's considered to be one of the giants of today. I believe there is a gospel crisis in America today (I try not to speak for other countries) caused by men who preach about the rewards of Christ, but not the very thing that seperates us from Him. You will find preaching about how to be healthy, wealthy and wise on the TV, but the matter of sin is one that you may never hear, except in passing. Responsibility to obey the Lord is not in vogue today. For what it's worth, you can hear some Calvinist/Reformed preaching at
Doctrines of Grace Radio on the internet.
Women in ministry is a topic that comes up from time to time. Most reformed people will deny a woman a place behind the pulpit, but will let her sing in church and speak out in a home Bible study. As that is a fresh battleground, I will let someone more knowledgable than I answer this one. Brothers and Sisters, let's put forth our references for our views on this in love and with respect toward those who hold the opposite view.
We view Arminianism negatively in several degrees as well. I am of the view that they are misinformed in their stance, as well as ours. A quote I heard just today was of an Arminian woman who met a Calvinist man. In conversation, she said that he was one of those "weirdos" who believes in Limited Atonement and he answered that she believed in it also, she just didn't realize it. They are now married with four kids and she has come to believe in the Doctrines of Grace as well. What happened? She met someone who was willing to lovingly explain this doctrine with her and she was willing to listen.
The core of this argument is usually a matter of who chooses who. God chooses His people or we choose Him. Calvinism does not say that we are robots or puppets who are chosen whether or not we like it. God changes our hearts so we will choose Him willingly where before we rejected Him. This is true of every Christian, whether they realize it or not.
Does everyone have the responsibility to accept Christ? Yes. Are we predisposed to do this without His intervention? No. Is God obligated to change our hearts? No. The delight that He would choose me sets my faith in stone where before I was afraid of offending Him and negating my Christianity.
