The Bible teacher's approach to Presbyterians, Reformed believers, and others of Calvinistic background should receive careful study. We often refer to Adventism as having much in common with Methodism, but in some ways Presbyterianism comes closer to the spirit of Advent ism than Methodism. Presbyterians, even more than Methodists, are church anchored, and there fore the Bible instructor should avoid an impression of trying to change their religion. We have found it helpful to suggest to these groups a mutual study of those fundamental teachings which classify both Calvinists and Adventists with the reformers.
Beginning with a stimulating reassurance of the Inspired Word from the angle of God's supreme authority, we gradually launch out into deeper channels, presenting the still live issues of popery and antichristian heresy. When Calvinists discover that the Reformation, although ex posing the man of sin, was retarded on those points stressed by the advent message today, then they see a logical reason for another movement than Calvinism. Our message is not antagonistic to Calvinism, but is rather a challenge for Calvinists to bestir themselves to finish the Reformation. We have discovered that this is the greatest argument to drive them out of their smug complacency—and too often their Presbyterian self-sufficiency.
Calvinistic doctrine is authoritarian even beyond the Bible. The candid student of the Word must discover those philosophical elements of belief which, though often beautifully inspiring, are nevertheless definitely unscriptural. This authoritarian element becomes pronounced in the Calvinistic study of the doctrine of predestination, where logic holds out against a careful comparison of Scriptural intent. Again, Calvinistic teachings concerning the doctrine of Christian liberty have led to a dangerous liberalism which reveals the decaying elements of Calvinism as a reform religion. There are some positive, unwholesome elements in Calvinism which must be challenged by a timely reformation.
Hairsplitting exegesis destroys the very spirit of the gospel and merely produces controversy in stead of winning souls to the truth. The Bible instructor should guard against an overstressing of minor points which suggest disagreements be tween denominational beliefs, rather using the prophecies to reveal to the reader the weaknesses of the Calvinistic system. A search for truth must be the objective of Bible study. Prayer and praise are stressed in Calvinistic ethics, and the Bible instructor should cultivate these elements of Christian fellowship in his work, for they will inspire confidence in both the message and its messenger.
While agreeing with truth and commending its practice, the teacher must still continue to teach accurately, progressively, and forcefully, yet never dogmatically. When the inherent dogmatism of Calvinism is caused to clash with the same characteristic of Adventism, the interest is likely to cool off in argumentation. Aim for a blending of spirit, and next a deepening of the principles of truth, and build your Bible topics in the setting of Presbyterian thought and terminology. The following series of topics is merely suggestive, and may invite further adaptations.
Appropriate Topics for Presbyterians
1. God's Eternal Purpose in Christ.
2. Man's Fall, and God's Salvation.
3. What Does It Mean to Be Converted? (Stress human will and obedience.)
4. The Imminent Return of Christ.
5. The Hand of God in History (Daniel 2).
6. Final Reward of God's Elect (New Earth).
7. The Atonement in Prophecy (2300 Days).
8. Christ Our Mediator (sanctuary).
9. The Judgment in Session.
10. The Law and the Gospel.
11. God's Sign of Sanctification (Sabbath).
12. Is the Lord's Day the Sabbath? (N. T. Sabbath).
13. Protestantism or Popery? (Change of Sabbath).
14. The Test of Christian Living (obedience).
15. Christian Stewardship and Missions.
16. Where Are the Dead?
17. The Doom of the Sinner.
18. The Two Resurrections (Millennium).
19. Elijah's Reformatory Message (health reform).
20. What Is Christian Liberty? (dress, amusements).
21. The Reformation Completed (Revelation 12).
22. The Call Out of Modern Babylon.
23. Significance of Baptism and Lord's Supper.
24. Spiritual Gifts for the Church.
25. God's Elect and the Prophetic Gift.
Points to Stress With Calvinists
Calvinists firmly believe in the inspiration of the Old as well as the New Testament, and emphasize its devotional daily reading. Since the doctrine of predestination is deeply embedded in Calvinism, an understanding of God's purpose in creation and redemption is fundamental. The significance of the controversy between Christ and Satan must set forth more than the place of the human will; it must also reveal the importance of obedience.
Here we strike the lost chord of Calvinism. Its philosophical teaching regarding Christian liberty has a strong influence on the question of ethics, as affecting diet, dress, amusements, etc. The keynote is that the Christian uses the world, but does not abuse it. Moderation, not abstinence, is taught in the use of wine and liquor and tobacco. The Christian is regulated by his conscience, which must be built up in Christ. Although we may agree with this in theory in large part, there is here an impractical element which does not relieve the abuses in the ranks of the Christian church today.
Strict observance of the Lord's day (Sunday) is stressed because it is to the glory of God to ob serve a day of the weekly cycle, and Sunday fits into modern practice. While there is strong emphasis on the Ten Commandments in other respects, the Biblical observance of the seventh day as specified by the commandment is not necessary. On these points the Bible teacher may deepen the idea of the supremacy of God, so prominent in Calvinism, and the superiority of His divine law.
Peace and prosperity are regarded by Calvinists as visible tokens of God's favor. Providence ordains both prosperity and adversity for an individual. Submission to God's will in this respect glorifies Him. Careful critics charge Calvinism as being at the foundation of some of our modern capitalistic abuses. Calvinists believe and have demonstrated that the church was organized to reign, and is entitled to material power. The set ting up of Christ's kingdom here and now is con fused with other-world-mindedness. The doctrine of separation of church and state, while never positive in Calvinism, has become more befogged since the war. Calvinism today needs a clear reformatory message.
Calvin was not dogmatic on the question of the state of the dead. He simply was not clear on the subject, nor did he seem to regard it as vital. The interpretation of Scripture to aid in an understanding of the subject is to be left with the individual. On this point the church cannot be dogmatic. One does not meet the arbitrary attitude typical of Methodism.
Calvinists and Adventists agree well on their joint principles on the doctrine of Christian stewardship. It is the Christian's solemn responsibility to enlighten the depraved heathen mind with the gospel. On infant baptism Calvin shows Scriptural inconsistencies, but there are other emphases on baptism which reveal the strength of Calvinistic practice. The same is true with views on the Lord's supper. The ordinance of preparation should be presented by Bible instructors from the standpoint of reclaiming a lost truth in practice. In John 13, Calvinism can find the solution of the problem that has so often challenged Calvinists on their view that infant baptism does not suffice for the revelation of sin and necessary forgiveness in later life. When the truth of the principle of foot washing is understood as being a miniature baptism, the Presbyterian inquirer quickly sees the beauty and satisfaction of this ceremony.
We have always enjoyed studying the Bible with those of Calvinistic background. One feels a kin ship and a fellowship in sharing great fundamental Bible truths. Because of the high ideals mutually upheld, this relationship has frequently grown into the deeper experiences of Adventism. Rugged Calvinism, with a deep consciousness of the more abundant life, provides a strong foundation on which Adventism may well be built.
L. C. K.