In other words, one might say, “There is no point to missions and I’m a Calvinist,” but this would contradict the teachings of Calvin and almost all orthodox Calvinists.

To use an example – The Westboro Baptist Church is the church that protests soldier’s funerals because they died for a country that allows homosexuality. Now, let’s assume that – for whatever reason – this line of thinking picks up in four other congregations in Kansas (where the WBC is located). When someone says, “I’m Baptist,” are we justified in thinking, “Oh, so you’re related to the Westboro Baptist Church?” I would say no – whenever a church or theology moves away from its foundation, the less likely it is to represent the original belief (whether that is good or bad).

Thus, we have Calvinists who devalue missions, but this is a far cry from what Calvin actually taught. Considering his church in Geneva was one of the first churches to send missionaries to South America and send hundreds of missionaries out worldwide, it is hard to justify say, “I am a Calvinist” and yet devalue missions.

So there are different flavors, but these rarely (if ever) deal with the main teachings of Calvinism. These have remained consistent (whether for better or worse).

I have been lurking at your blog for a couple of weeks now and I have a comment that I hope you find interesting or, at least, useful. When I began surfing the web I got into a series of discussions (some of them rather heated) with self described Calvinist/Reformed Christians. The one thing I learned is that there really is no definition of Calvinist/Reformed positions that a majority of them subscribe to. The label of Calvinist/Reformed is very slippery and really without much value. I agree that some Calvinists will put an emphasis on mission work but there are others who really see no need. I have no desire to get into a debate on the matter (I have learned my lesson well) but I have found the following quote to be an accurate depiction of my experiences and you may find the associated link of interest:

Whenever, therefore, one tries to state TULIP theology and then refute it, there are Calvinists who will argue with you that you are misrepresenting Calvinism. It is not so much that you are misrepresenting Calvinism, though. You might be quoting directly from various Calvinists or even from Calvin himself. The problem is that you are misrepresenting THEIR Calvinism! There are Calvin Calvinists and Andrew Fuller Calvinists and Arthur W. Pink Calvinists and Presbyterian Calvinists and Baptist Calvinists and many other sorts of Calvinists. Many Calvinists have never read Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion for themselves. They are merely following someone who follows someone who allegedly follows Calvin (who, by his own admission, followed Augustine).

THE CALVINISM DEBATE: WHO IS THE ENEMY?
David Cloud
Fundamental Baptist Information Service