The United Church of Christ?

[Ave Maria]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the United Church of Christ. Is it true that they are Calvinistic in their theology?

 

[ReformedChapin]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the United Church of Christ. Is it true that they are Calvinistic in their theology?

I'm a Calvinist, I would say NO.

 

[Ave Maria]

I'm a Calvinist, I would say NO.

Oh okay. Thanks NewGuy.

 

[OutsideNormal]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the United Church of Christ. Is it true that they are Calvinistic in their theology?

It seems that the congregations that merged to form the United Church of Christ were from the Reform and Calvinist traditions. That means that yes there is a historic link to Calvinism, but the question of whether or not the UCC's theology is Calvinistic currently would be better answered by someone that is more well versed in current Calvinism.

 

[Speculative]

Well, this is alarming. I might have to reconsider my choice of presidential candidate.

I could never vote for someone who's spiritual advisor is a Calvinist

 

[wayfarer59]

Although I don't know too much about the UCC, more liberal denominations tend to believe in universal salvation or, at least, universal offer thereof. Calvinism, as I understand it in it's extreme form, believes in double predestination (that some people are created by God to burn in everlasting torment). I don't see how the UCC could hold to such a belief. Even the Presbyterians (who are Calvinistic) rejected double predestination in the early 1900's.

Bill Mc

 

[Ave Maria]

Well, this is alarming. I might have to reconsider my choice of presidential candidate.

I could never vote for someone who's spiritual advisor is a Calvinist

Vote for Hillary! That's who I'm going to vote for.

 

[Bexnat]

Please forgive my ignorance - but what is Calvinistic??

 

[ReformedChapin]

Please forgive my ignorance - but what is Calvinistic??

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/dabney/5points.htm

 

[wayfarer59]

Please forgive my ignorance - but what is Calvinistic??

For a quick overview, Bexnat, Calvinism is a form of Christianity that says that the answer to whether people go to heaven or hell is completely dependant upon who God has chosen to go where. If God has chosen you, you go to heaven. If he hasn't, you go to hell. It therefore rejects the notion of human free will. Every one of the 5 points of Calvinism come back to this over-arching question of eternal destiny.

 

[Adammi]

Contrary to what has been said, the UCC is Calvinist. They are a Reformed Church, affirming the creeds of most other Reformed Churches, specifically the Heidelberg Catechism. However, they are completely open to anyone and everyone who isn't necessarily a Calvinist or Reformed.

But Holly, DO NOT look into the UCC. God is NOT bound by denominations. God just wants to love you and embrace you and all of your self-worth. But you are making that very difficult for Him to do because you will not settle down into a local church. Go to your Catholic Church and serve and love God with all of your heart there. You will find Him there in just as great of a measure as you will find anywhere else.

You MUST stop religion hopping or you will die spiritually. God doesn't care what religion or Christian denomination you are. Just STOP and SETTLE in his love with absolute NO regard for religion or denomination.

My prayers are with you as always.

 

[spinningtutu]

As a UCC pastor-to-be, I feel qualified to contribute my two cents...

It seems that the congregations that merged to form the United Church of Christ were from the Reform and Calvinist traditions. That means that yes there is a historic link to Calvinism, but the question of whether or not the UCC's theology is Calvinistic currently would be better answered by someone that is more well versed in current Calvinism.

This is correct. The UCC is entirely in the Reformed tradition, which gives it a historical link to Calvinism. However, theology has to be weighed with polity. From a theological perspective, yes, the UCC - rather the denoms which formed the UCC - have a historical tradition of being Calvinist.

However ~

The UCC is congregational in polity, meaning that individual congregations are basically run as a democracy. Yes, there are regions and synods... yet, the UCC overall is very diverse, and prides itself on its diversity. So, with a congregational polity, the "church" as a whole only agrees on something if the majority of congregations vote and say they agree on it. Although there are other congregational denoms, the two biggest (which were both formed by many) are the UCC and the UUA.

So, what does this mean regarding theology?
Overall, the UCC affirms the Bible, the central creeds and tenents of the Christian faith. However, when entering specific questions, and specific interpretations, one would have to look into the individual UCC church. In some parts of the country, the UCC may very well be Calvinist in theology. Other congregations may have made a very conscious choice to reject Calvinism. There are traditional UCC churches, there are Evangelical UCC churches, the one I go to is almost charismatic. Sometimes location reveals a lot, but that is not always the case. The UCC I used to attend in Ohio was extremely conservative and Biblicist in thought. If I lived in the Bible Belt, I probably would not find a UCC church that I felt comfortable in. On the other hand, the UCC in New England is so liberal it is partnered with the UUA.

But individual churches make their choices, whether it be California or Alabama. So, there could be a fundie UCC in California, and there could be a flamingly liberal one in Alabama. They also make their own choices whether or not to be ONA (open and affirming) regarding gays and lesbians. In any case, one's ONA status is a reflection of what that congregation believes.

Hope that helps.

Vote for Hillary! That's who I'm going to vote for.

Oh, please no. Anyone but Hillary. Seriously. Well, not just anyone, but either McCain or Obama over her. Sorry, I just really do not want to see any more of the Clinton regime.

Contrary to what has been said, the UCC is Calvinist. They are a Reformed Church, affirming the creeds of most other Reformed Churches, specifically the Heidelberg Catechism. However, they are completely open to anyone and everyone who isn't necessarily a Calvinist or Reformed.
quote]

Yes.... sort of. I would say that what happened (theologically) is that many within the UCC, who were already Calvinist began to move left politically and socially. From a standpoint of belief in election and predestination, I would say that many in the UCC began to focus more on the 'positive' element of being chosen and elected and saved by God and less on the 'negative' of anyone getting chosen for damnation. So, what do you begin with the basic predestination formula, become suspicious that God would choose people for hell, delete that from the equation?

You get a belief in universal salvation, whereby God has chosen everyone, regardless of any other factor. So, in that sense, it may be more accurate not to speak of the UCC as either Calvinist or not, but to fathom the concept of Liberal Calvinism. Tho, like I said, congregational polity allows the freedom for almost anything.

 

[Ave Maria]

As a UCC pastor-to-be, I feel qualified to contribute my two cents...



This is correct. The UCC is entirely in the Reformed tradition, which gives it a historical link to Calvinism. However, theology has to be weighed with polity. From a theological perspective, yes, the UCC - rather the denoms which formed the UCC - have a historical tradition of being Calvinist.

However ~

The UCC is congregational in polity, meaning that individual congregations are basically run as a democracy. Yes, there are regions and synods... yet, the UCC overall is very diverse, and prides itself on its diversity. So, with a congregational polity, the "church" as a whole only agrees on something if the majority of congregations vote and say they agree on it. Although there are other congregational denoms, the two biggest (which were both formed by many) are the UCC and the UUA.

So, what does this mean regarding theology?
Overall, the UCC affirms the Bible, the central creeds and tenents of the Christian faith. However, when entering specific questions, and specific interpretations, one would have to look into the individual UCC church. In some parts of the country, the UCC may very well be Calvinist in theology. Other congregations may have made a very conscious choice to reject Calvinism. There are traditional UCC churches, there are Evangelical UCC churches, the one I go to is almost charismatic. Sometimes location reveals a lot, but that is not always the case. The UCC I used to attend in Ohio was extremely conservative and Biblicist in thought. If I lived in the Bible Belt, I probably would not find a UCC church that I felt comfortable in. On the other hand, the UCC in New England is so liberal it is partnered with the UUA.

But individual churches make their choices, whether it be California or Alabama. So, there could be a fundie UCC in California, and there could be a flamingly liberal one in Alabama. They also make their own choices whether or not to be ONA (open and affirming) regarding gays and lesbians. In any case, one's ONA status is a reflection of what that congregation believes.

Hope that helps.



Oh, please no. Anyone but Hillary. Seriously. Well, not just anyone, but either McCain or Obama over her. Sorry, I just really do not want to see any more of the Clinton regime.

Contrary to what has been said, the UCC is Calvinist. They are a Reformed Church, affirming the creeds of most other Reformed Churches, specifically the Heidelberg Catechism. However, they are completely open to anyone and everyone who isn't necessarily a Calvinist or Reformed.
quote]

Yes.... sort of. I would say that what happened (theologically) is that many within the UCC, who were already Calvinist began to move left politically and socially. From a standpoint of belief in election and predestination, I would say that many in the UCC began to focus more on the 'positive' element of being chosen and elected and saved by God and less on the 'negative' of anyone getting chosen for damnation. So, what do you begin with the basic predestination formula, become suspicious that God would choose people for hell, delete that from the equation?

You get a belief in universal salvation, whereby God has chosen everyone, regardless of any other factor. So, in that sense, it may be more accurate not to speak of the UCC as either Calvinist or not, but to fathom the concept of Liberal Calvinism. Tho, like I said, congregational polity allows the freedom for almost anything.

Heh. Sorry but I am going to vote for Hillary. I think it's about time we had a woman in the White House!

 

[Rochir]

But Holly, DO NOT look into the UCC. God is NOT bound by denominations. God just wants to love you and embrace you and all of your self-worth. But you are making that very difficult for Him to do because you will not settle down into a local church. Go to your Catholic Church and serve and love God with all of your heart there. You will find Him there in just as great of a measure as you will find anywhere else.

You MUST stop religion hopping or you will die spiritually. God doesn't care what religion or Christian denomination you are. Just STOP and SETTLE in his love with absolute NO regard for religion or denomination.

My prayers are with you as always.

^QFT!

 

[Avatar]

Heh. Sorry but I am going to vote for Hillary. I think it's about time we had a woman in the White House!

Yeah, but THAT woman?

 

[spinningtutu]

yea, my thoughts too. Everyone here knows how I feel about gender... doesn't it say something that I don't want Hillary?

 

[ReformedChapin]

As a UCC pastor-to-be, I feel qualified to contribute my two cents...



This is correct. The UCC is entirely in the Reformed tradition, which gives it a historical link to Calvinism. However, theology has to be weighed with polity. From a theological perspective, yes, the UCC - rather the denoms which formed the UCC - have a historical tradition of being Calvinist.

However ~

The UCC is congregational in polity, meaning that individual congregations are basically run as a democracy. Yes, there are regions and synods... yet, the UCC overall is very diverse, and prides itself on its diversity. So, with a congregational polity, the "church" as a whole only agrees on something if the majority of congregations vote and say they agree on it. Although there are other congregational denoms, the two biggest (which were both formed by many) are the UCC and the UUA.

So, what does this mean regarding theology?
Overall, the UCC affirms the Bible, the central creeds and tenents of the Christian faith. However, when entering specific questions, and specific interpretations, one would have to look into the individual UCC church. In some parts of the country, the UCC may very well be Calvinist in theology. Other congregations may have made a very conscious choice to reject Calvinism. There are traditional UCC churches, there are Evangelical UCC churches, the one I go to is almost charismatic. Sometimes location reveals a lot, but that is not always the case. The UCC I used to attend in Ohio was extremely conservative and Biblicist in thought. If I lived in the Bible Belt, I probably would not find a UCC church that I felt comfortable in. On the other hand, the UCC in New England is so liberal it is partnered with the UUA.

But individual churches make their choices, whether it be California or Alabama. So, there could be a fundie UCC in California, and there could be a flamingly liberal one in Alabama. They also make their own choices whether or not to be ONA (open and affirming) regarding gays and lesbians. In any case, one's ONA status is a reflection of what that congregation believes.

Hope that helps.



Oh, please no. Anyone but Hillary. Seriously. Well, not just anyone, but either McCain or Obama over her. Sorry, I just really do not want to see any more of the Clinton regime.

Contrary to what has been said, the UCC is Calvinist. They are a Reformed Church, affirming the creeds of most other Reformed Churches, specifically the Heidelberg Catechism. However, they are completely open to anyone and everyone who isn't necessarily a Calvinist or Reformed.
quote]

Yes.... sort of. I would say that what happened (theologically) is that many within the UCC, who were already Calvinist began to move left politically and socially. From a standpoint of belief in election and predestination, I would say that many in the UCC began to focus more on the 'positive' element of being chosen and elected and saved by God and less on the 'negative' of anyone getting chosen for damnation. So, what do you begin with the basic predestination formula, become suspicious that God would choose people for hell, delete that from the equation?

You get a belief in universal salvation, whereby God has chosen everyone, regardless of any other factor. So, in that sense, it may be more accurate not to speak of the UCC as either Calvinist or not, but to fathom the concept of Liberal Calvinism. Tho, like I said, congregational polity allows the freedom for almost anything.

Liberal Calvinism doesn't exists, you just plainly described universalism.

 

[spinningtutu]

Maybe not from the perspective of a purist. But if you take the TULIP formula, and make a progression from limited atonement to universal salvation... well, that's sort of the journey I'm describing.

I'm not going to judge whether or not the progression is right or wrong. I'm not saying that it is a reflection of my own. I'm just saying that a lot of universalists I know come from a liberalized Calvinism... if you want to interpret that to mean they abandoned true Calvinism, that is your right to do so... but there are still theological commonalities because it is the context from whence it came.

 

[Adammi]

Maybe not from the perspective of a purist. But if you take the TULIP formula, and make a progression from limited atonement to universal salvation... well, that's sort of the journey I'm describing.

I'm not going to judge whether or not the progression is right or wrong. I'm not saying that it is a reflection of my own. I'm just saying that a lot of universalists I know come from a liberalized Calvinism... if you want to interpret that to mean they abandoned true Calvinism, that is your right to do so... but there are still theological commonalities because it is the context from whence it came.

You are right. There are liberal Calvinists. You are looking at one (or rather reading the post of one).

I have found that we should never say that something does not exist.

My soteriological conjecture is Calvinism. My conjecture on the the battle of good and evil on a larger scale than just the individual is Apocatastasis. These two beliefs are very different and not at all binding of each other.

I do believe in Total Depravity. I do believe in Unconditional Election. I do believe in a Limited Atonement. I do believe in Irresistible Grace. I do believe in the Perseverance of the Saints. It is just that I also believe that at at the end of time God will ultimately reconcile all things to himself.

 

[ReformedChapin]

You are right. There are liberal Calvinists. You are looking at one (or rather reading the post of one).

I have found that we should never say that something does not exist.

My soteriological conjecture is Calvinism. My conjecture on the the battle of good and evil on a larger scale than just the individual is Apocatastasis. These two beliefs are very different and not at all binding of each other.

I do believe in Total Depravity. I do believe in Unconditional Election. I do believe in a Limited Atonement. I do believe in Irresistible Grace. I do believe in the Perseverance of the Saints. It is just that I also believe that at at the end of time God will ultimately reconcile all things to himself.

So basically you use the same words but they mean something else?

niiice.