Are you ready to be bored? Let’s talk about theology. Did you know that Calvinism is returning? Yes, I said Calvinism.

We have a problem in our modern culture. If we are not entertained, we don’t listen. Every ‘interesting’ idea makes us laugh or maybe makes us angry. There is not much demand for ideas that make us think.

That’s how we live these days as if we are always being entertained by television.

I visited a church recently. I won’t name it, but it was famous in our area because the people in that congregation did not like COVID restrictions. They were visited by health authorities and charged, but the charges were later dismissed.

I was interested to know who these people were, and why they had such strong convictions about things that other Christians were more willing to adapt to.

Who were these tough believers?

When we arrived, we had to hunt for a place to park our car. All parking in the area was taken by other churchgoers, and this was their second service on Sunday. When we got into the building, the place was crowded, and we had to hunt for seats.

The service was interesting but generally serious.

The preacher did not try to be a comedian or a rabble-rouser and entertain us. My impression was that he wanted to teach us about important things.

In our ‘entertain me’ culture, I appreciated a church where serious ideas were communicated clearly, and with energy.

We could use more churches like that.

Apparently, there is a modern movement called “New Calvinism” and Christians who follow those ideas have a reputation for being calm and serious. They don’t seem to be interested much in our ‘entertain me’ popular culture. They listen to serious teaching, and they learn.

If you know about the cultural ideas of survivalists, preppers, and minimalists, I think these people are the spiritual equivalent. They want to keep things serious and simple. Many people reject the appeal of our modern society and expect things to get worse.

They want to be ready for that day. They want to be in a different place when that happens.

• READ: Survivalism: Wikipedia

I would not want the job of enforcing COVID restrictions on those people. Some rocks just don’t move.

If you are not familiar with the name “Calvin” Jean Calvin was a professor of law, at the Sorbonne University in Paris, centuries ago.

He was a Protestant reformer, along with leaders like Martin Luther, and he preached and wrote like a serious professor. He taught more than he entertained. Calvinist churches today have names like “Reformed” (in Holland) and “Presbyterian” (in Scotland).

If you do a search with the term “Calvinism” you will find volumes of information. One Calvinist idea that divides Christians today, is the belief that God chose us, before we were born, and our own decision is not as important. The common theological term is “predestination.”

Are you bored yet? What we think about “predestination” will shape our lives. In practice, this is a life-altering concept.

Imagine that you believed in God, who made the universe. And also imagine that you believed that the Supreme Being, who is above everything, decided to save you before you were born. You have a calling that is supreme and eternal, and nothing can move you.

You only accept who you are, and what God has done for you.

Try mixing that foundation with COVID restrictions.

When we visited that church, the sermon was long and serious, with many Bible quotations. One quotation was from Jesus when he spoke to his closest followers:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” (John 15: 16)

I didn’t feel free to stand up and challenge the preacher, but those words were given to a few close followers when they were sent out to preach. Not everyone applies them to the whole spiritual life of every believer.

I know that is a theological argument, but let’s agree or disagree, and move on.

What do you believe?

I am writing as a Christian, but you may have different ideas that direct your life.

What are those ideas?

When you know what you believe, there is one more question; When did you first believe? Or, how did you start on that road? What brought you to the place where you are now?

A sincere Calvinist would say that God made the most important decision. The preacher that I heard made that point many times, with many Bible quotations.

I didn’t argue, but there is something we should know: In all Bible stories about believers, Israelites, and Christians, it was possible to say ‘no.’ The other side of saying ‘Yes’ is not saying ‘No.’ My spiritual life and my relationship with God started and continue because of my decisions.

I could walk away. You could.

Some boring ideas deserve our attention because they shape our lives.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. As it says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3: 12 to 15)

Some of the comments on this video are interesting: