hi, max, i'm wondering why you feel Reformed theology is more philosophy than theology?
(with apologies for derailing... don't know where else to ask. )
i appreciate your graciousness in this thread! just wanted to add all the Reformed i know (which, i grant you, doesn't number in the thousands or anything) share the Gospel because God commanded it, yes, and because we really, actually love other people and want to see as many come to Christ as may be.
but i think another, more cogent reason is in 1 Cor 1:21. we know we ourselves heard the message preached, and believed, and this is the method by which God has ordained men and women, boys and girls, come to Christ.
thank God for that beautiful 'foolishness'.
Ty for being so polite, I'll try to respond in kind.
1. We have a slight misunderstanding; I didn't say Reformed theology IS more philosophy than theology, but I think I said in another post that your opposition could make a claim to that effect, and have some grounds to debate that.
2. My personal opinion is NOT that Reformed Theology is more philosophy than theology, but rather, that it is more philosophically based than Arminian theology.
This is neither good nor bad.
This was NOT meant to be an indictment, but merely an observation.
I also think many reformed theologians would agree on this issue, about the more philosophical nature of classical, reformed, systematic theology.
Those who are really on the attack against reformed theology MIGHT INDEED make the claim that it's more philosophy than theology.... just as some Calvinists might refer to the Arrminians as uneducated bumpkins, lol... both sides can be pretty uncharitable at times.
My personal views, about handling these debates more politely, is NOT to say we should give up our convictions, and ever push doctrine aside like it doesn't matter.
Doctrine is vitally important, and NO CHRISTIAN has ANY reason to EVER lay aside Biblical doctrine, and just forget about it, and stop taking it seriously, just because someone says, "Let's all just get along."
There are some who take this approach, and just want to ignore doctrine altogether, and I really don't think that's Biblical.
As much as we all tire of debate, I would much rather engage in debate than push doctrine aside as if it doesn't matter... it's far too important.
However, I think adults should be able to hold their views, as they feel convicted, while ALSO being polite.
And ya know, I've had bad days too.
We all have times when we lose our composure.
But that doesn't mean "losing our composure" is a good plan.
Hope my answers made sense and weren't too unclear.