The Straw Man

I am disappointed with the characterization and outright misrepresentation of Reformed theology (yes, Calvinism) that people who should know better offer up. We all have presuppositions (traditions) and those who claim to have none are the most enslaved to theirs. That is the only reason, I can think of, for men who ought to know better to misrepresent other believers. Well no, I can think of another. Perhaps it is just outright ignorance of what is being taught or said in other traditions. When you think that you have a corner on the truth why would you study what someone else believes to accurately represent them? Instead what is offered up is a dogmatic rejection of a position that I do not even recognize as my own, and yet is attributed to me.

Let me be a little more clear. When someone says that they "reject the 5 points of Calvinism" they ought to be able to explain what it is exactly they are rejecting. Instead what is offered, often times, is a straw man. A straw man is a weak or incorrect argument offered in place of the proper argument because it is easier to defeat. Once the straw man argument is defeated it is offered that the proper argument is defeated. The old switch-a-roo. This at best is ignorance and at worse underhanded. Either way it is shameful for a Christian (especially a minister) to behave in such a way. But careful study and accurate representation is difficult, not as emotionally tantalizing, nor is it as appealing to the crowd or ones own pride as is setting up a straw man and then knocking it down and claiming victory. Sad. Truly sad.