Those who know me well, and some of those who only know me on the surface know full well that I am unashamed and comfortable with calling myself a Calvinist. Anyone who looks at my Facebook page will see that most of the groups that I am in are Calvinistic or theological in nature. Occasionally, I get charged by others outside of the theologically Reformed camp with following some man named John Calvin rather than following Christ! Nothing could be further from the truth. Calvinism is just a label I choose to use rather than just relying on the term “Christian” to convey to others what I believe concerning God. Don’t get me wrong. When someone asks if I am a Christian I am unapologetic and proud to say, “Yes I am!” However, I usually caveat my response with “I am also a Calvinist”.
Why do I do this? It’s really quite simple, but in my opinion, necessary. Today, the term “Christian” can embody so many different, and often contradicting beliefs. For instance, both Rob Bell and John Piper would call themselves “Christians”. However, they have very different views on some important and key doctrines in the Christian Faith. One believes in a literal hell in the afterlife, and the other denies a literal hell in the afterlife. One espouses the belief that only those who believe in Jesus Christ will go to heaven, and the other believes that God’s love will save everyone (Love Wins!). One has biblical foundations to support their doctrines, and the other uses sensationalism and socialism to determine their doctrines. Therefore, the term “Christian”, as it is used today, does not explicitly state the orthodoxy or unorthodoxy of someones theology. That is the reason I use the label “Calvinist” for myself. It helps to set me apart from other “Christians” who hold very opposing doctrines to my own.
Potter's Will 