How this blog came to be and why I am continuing it

How this blog came to be and why I am continuing it

I started this blog about ten years ago after a lot of gentle pressure from friends. Since its inception, I have posted approximately 1,700 separate essays here. Every time I sit down to write a new blog post, I think to myself, “But I’ve written about this before…” Yes, I’ve written about almost every topic imaginable, related to Christian theology. This is one of the reasons my blog posts have declined in frequency. Still, I realize that some people are new here and haven’t read all (approximately) 1,700 blog posts! (I don’t know the exact number of them as this blog existed for quite some time before it was “adopted” by Patheos and I haven’t kept any records before. I’m sure the folks at Patheos know how much I’ve posted since.)

So what prompted me to finally succumb to the gentle pressure of my friends and start this blog? Two things. First, of course, my frustration with the Calvinists’ inaccurate representations of Arminianism. Second, at that time a southern state passed laws criminalizing any assistance to illegal immigrants. I then wrote on a blog that you couldn’t be a Christian and vote to criminalize giving food, water or shelter or even driving someone in need. There was, of course, the predictable backlash, but nothing changed my mind about it. (And I will not tolerate any mention of the obvious exceptions in the law, such as first aiders.)

As for the first reason: I read and still hear horrible false representations of Arminianism by Calvinists who know better. Their blogs are full of them. Some magazines still publish them. But I have come to terms with this phenomenon and I won’t let it get to me like I once did. Also, the whole movement “Young, agitated, reformed” was considerably weakened. I frequently meet men and women in their thirties (or more) who “testify” that they were once hardened Calvinists under the influence of the leaders of this movement but are no longer so.

In fact, in my book Against Calvinism (and here) I told the story of a student who in the 1980s told me that I was not a Christian because I was Arminian. I never mentioned his name. However, he read the book and recognized himself and called me about a year ago. We had a very nice conversation and he apologized for what he said when he was in college and told me that he has since left that “circle” and no longer considers himself a Calvinist. . I think Calvinism appeals to young Christians because it claims to have all the answers and a very systematic explanation from God and the Bible. As they grow older, many of them, but not most, change their minds.

As for the second reason: Recent laws passed in Georgia and being considered in other states convince me that many people who consider themselves Christians cannot be true Christians. The people I think of put the political party above following Jesus. It’s as clear to me as anything can be.

Sometimes I feel like a voice crying out alone in the wilderness, but those who come here to support me and thank me encourage me to keep going.

* Here I always speak only for myself and for no one else, individual or organization. If you want to comment, be sure not to include a hyperlink. Keep your comment civil and respectful, not rude. Stick to the topic and don’t distort what I wrote or said. Be brief.