David,

Question (appropro of nothing, posted anyway): what do you think about reformed confessionalism? I have read a few of the confessions, the Belgic specifically (and of course teh Nicene Creed, Apostle's Creed, etc) and agree with it completely. It is, of course not Scripture but more of a summation Scripture and an explanantion of doctrine laid forth. However, I read a lot of guys in chat rooms and blogs who claim to be RCC or whtever, Reformed Confessionalists, who are the BIGGEST jerks! They show no love, are incredibly condescending, tend to slam people, and just act like Pharisees in general. I've even come across RCC guys acknowledging this loveless attitude and attributing it to just a phase of their walk; "being in the cage". I am saved, and have been for 25 years. I hold Calvinism (not all 5 points, but maybe 3 1/2), I am premill, I seem to agree with the Reformed Confessions, yet I find these guys repulsive and exactly the opposite of what I wouold call Christian. Your thoughts, please, or any of your esteemed friends' thoughts would be helpful to me.

apologies for all the typos in above comment

sibert, your observations are not unusual. Calvinists are charged often with being arrogant and contentious. I don’t believe that is true in general, as the Reformed faith is exceedingly humbling and I have never met, in person, a Calvinist who was not relatively humble. However, it’s really no surprise to me to see something entirely different on the internet. The internet offers something that was previously unknown: the opportunity for anyone to express their opinions whether or not they deserve that opportunity. It’s kind of like the Jerry Springer Show, only no one has to wait to be called on, and they can hang on to the mic as long as they want. James White has called blog comments “the theological ignorance aggregator of the internet,” and I tend to agree.

In an atmosphere where anyone, regardless of qualification, can have their say, you’re going to hear a lot from people who ought to be sitting down, shutting up, and listening. Serious, thoughtful people weigh their words carefully and often will not speak at all rather than get bogged down in foolish arguments. Ignorant loudmouths have no such restraint, so there always seems to be more of them (and less of the serious, thoughtful kind) than there really are; and the freedom of the internet means you’re going to hear more from them on the internet than you would anywhere else.

The only connection of all this to the Confessions is that knowledge doesn't sanctify. In fact, the more a jerk learns, the bigger a jerk he becomes. But the cause of his arrogance is not his knowledge, but his pride.

All that to say that the Calvinists you encounter on the internet are most likely not a fair representation of Reformed believers in general.

Thank you.