Question [composite of several]: I am deeply concerned about the increasing frequency of articles ...

Question [composite of several]: I am deeply concerned about the increasing frequency of articles and comments in TBC that are harshly critical of Calvinism....To disagree with us on theological issues is understandable. But to verbally attack “us” (and that unnecessarily...as you did in the October 2001 Q&A section) because of our theological understanding is quite another. Please remember that we are your brethren in Christ, not a bunch of Moonies....And in the December 2001 issue of TBC an unidentified person made a blatantly inaccurate and defamatory editorial comment following the Associated Press item of 11/14/01...that said, “Whether it’s the Catholic Inquisition or Calvin’s Geneva or one of today’s Islamic states, ‘a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still!’” The inescapable conclusion is that Calvinism is equally oppressive and erroneous as Roman Catholicism and the Taliban demonic Islamic “faith.”

Response: Thank you for your letter. I appreciate your concern. However, you seem to have misunderstood what was said. For example, the editorial comment to which you object refers specifically and very pointedly to “Calvin’s Geneva,” not to Calvinism in general or to Calvinists. Yet you have made that connection.

I think, also, that if you would read again the editorial remark (made by T. A. McMahon) you would see that he is not equating even Calvin’s Geneva with the Taliban and the Inquisition—although Calvin was widely known as the “Protestant Pope of Geneva.” The only connection he has made between them is the common attempt to force people to change their belief.

We assume that what we write will be read carefully and with understanding and that our meaning will not be misunderstood. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. We can only write as clearly as we are able and hope that our readers will graciously credit us with what we actually say and not read into it any unintended accusations against their beliefs.

If you are familiar with “Calvin’s Geneva”—the scores who were burned at the stake, the floggings and torture and banishment of those who disagreed with John Calvin—then you would understand what was said and that Calvinism in general and Calvinists of today were not the subject. If you are not familiar with what occurred in Geneva under John Calvin, then please consult some accurate and unbiased historical accounts for yourself.

It grieves me also to be accused of “less than honest scholarship” and of using “lopsided, unbalanced” arguments “present[ed]...in such a prejudicial way...” and of being “anxious to prevent...an investigation” by individuals of the facts and of “attacking us [Calvinists] with misrepresentations and distortions.”

I repudiate such motives and tactics. If you can support these charges with specific examples, I will publicly repent and apologize.