Which Reformed/Presybyterian churches still believe in the 5 points of Calvinism?

[NetSpiker]

There are many churches with a Reformed background, but which of them actually believe in the five points of Calvinism (also known as TULIP theology)?

Howard Storm, a minister in the United Church of Christ, wrote this in his book:

People will always be free to reject God because God gave you that gift of freedom. You need to understand that God has given you the greatest gift God can give to any creature: to become part of God's love or to not become part of God's love.


God allows each of us to choose between bliss and torment. Why would anyone choose Hell? Why do people reject God? The answer is because we can. God has given us the god-like ability to become saints or demons. God has equipped us the become whatever we choose.


No one is good enough to go to Heaven but God wants all of us to go to Heaven. We choose between God and separation from God. God's love has given us the freedom and ability to choose.


God does not want one person to go to Hell. God will not stop a person who is determined to go there. Whether we go to Heaven or Hell is determined by the choices we make.


That sounds like the exact opposite of Calvinist theology. And yet the United Church of Christ has a Reformed background. Is Calvinism common in the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church in America and other Reformed churches?

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

PCA
OPC
and other small Presbyterian/Reformed denominations. The PCUSA has some Reformed/Calvinist but they are a minority.

 

[liesje]

Rcnz

 

[NetSpiker]

Is there any easy way to find out if a Reformed church is Calvinist or not?

 

[ReformedChapin]

The ones I know personally
PCA
OPC
RPCNA
RPCUS
URCNA

You always have to be careful with each individual church. I have ran into some PCA churches that seem more arminian than reformed. I have also heard the same about some URC churches.

Stay away from Church of Christ at all costs. Most PCUSA churches are liberals so as a general rule stay away from them as well.

 

[kittysbecute]

Is there any easy way to find out if a Reformed church is Calvinist or not?

Go up to the Pastor and ask him. That's what my friend did at my church.

 

[Osage Bluestem]

Is there any easy way to find out if a Reformed church is Calvinist or not?

Call them on the telephone and explain to them that you are exclusively looking for a 5 point calvinist church. That is really the best way. You need to call or visit and communicate to them what you want to know. Most web sites are ambiguous.

 

[NetSpiker]

Actually, I'm not looking for it. In fact I disagree with it completely. I was just interested to know whether it's still common in churches that call themselves Presbyterian or Reformed.

 

[kenrapoza]

There are many churches with a Reformed background, but which of them actually believe in the five points of Calvinism (also known as TULIP theology)?

Howard Storm, a minister in the United Church of Christ, wrote this in his book:

People will always be free to reject God because God gave you that gift of freedom. You need to understand that God has given you the greatest gift God can give to any creature: to become part of God's love or to not become part of God's love.


God allows each of us to choose between bliss and torment. Why would anyone choose Hell? Why do people reject God? The answer is because we can. God has given us the god-like ability to become saints or demons. God has equipped us the become whatever we choose.


No one is good enough to go to Heaven but God wants all of us to go to Heaven. We choose between God and separation from God. God's love has given us the freedom and ability to choose.


God does not want one person to go to Hell. God will not stop a person who is determined to go there. Whether we go to Heaven or Hell is determined by the choices we make.


That sounds like the exact opposite of Calvinist theology. And yet the United Church of Christ has a Reformed background. Is Calvinism common in the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church in America and other Reformed churches?

Calvinism is definitely not common in the United Church of Christ as they are a radically liberal mainline denomination. The PC(USA) is also fairly liberal, but not as much as the UCC. There is still Calvinism in the PC(USA), though I don't know to what extent those doctrines would be taught.

The PCA is strongly Calvinistic, as I can verify from first-hand experience. Although the PCA is a bit of a mixed bag with some diversity and certainly has elements of broad evangelicalism, by and large it is still a conservative, confessionally-based denomination. The church I attend is strongly confessional, doctrinally it is very Reformed.

The same goes for most of the other conservative Presbyterian and Reformed denominations such as the OPC, ARP, RPCNA, URCNA, PRC, etc...

The two in-between denominations are the EPC and the CRCNA. I think that in those particular church bodies it really depends on the specific congregation. They aren't as concerned about doctrinal uniformity I don't think and tend to stress latitude with certain non-essential doctrines.

There are also many independent and Baptist churches that hold to the 5 heads of Doctrine from the Canons of Dordt that are commonly referred to as the 5 points of Calvinism. Although, if you peruse this form for a few minutes, you will see that there is some discussion about whether or not it's properly called "Calvinism" in those cases.

 

[AMR]

A starting resource:

Presbyterian and Reformed Churches

 

[NetSpiker]

Thanks for the link, AMR. I've never seen anyone compare individual denominations like that before. Very interesting webpage.

 

[mannysee]

Here in Oz, the WPC church/es do.
Though from what I know, those named WPC in the U.S. seem to be a mixed bag.

 

[heymikey80]

Actually, I'm not looking for it. In fact I disagree with it completely. I was just interested to know whether it's still common in churches that call themselves Presbyterian or Reformed.

In the USA, only two kinds of churches call themselves "distinctively reformed": the Calvinistic churches; and some Lutheran churches who would revulse at the thought of being associated with Calvin.