Often when non-Calvinists look at Calvinists they see an angry, hostile, rude group of people who look down on everyone that isn’t a Calvinist. Many Calvinists deny that the perception is true, but this kind of behavior has been observed by so many that it cannot simply be imagination.

This has also been my experience with many Calvinists and for me it is one of the big barriers to Calvinist theology. Can a doctrine be biblical when it leads so many people to act so unkind, unloving, unChristlike? The answer is yes, it can. People misuse and abuse doctrine all the time. The theology of Calvinism can indeed be biblical and yet followers of that theology may act it out in less than biblical ways.

Calvinists are certainly not the only ones guilty of theological arrogance and hostility. Many non-Calvinists are just as hostile, just as belligerent as the worst of the Calvinists. Ergun Caner immediately comes to mind. What contact I have had with his writing and teaching, I have seen nothing but anger and hostility toward those who disagree with him, particularly toward Calvinists. It is one thing to defend what one believes to be truth; it is another to show nothing but hostility.

On the flipside, many Calvinists display the most gentle, loving, and Christlike spirit imaginable. Piper is usually one of them. I have known others, such as Frank Thielman, a professor at Beeson Divinity School and Christian George, a fellow Beeson graduate, who have also displayed grace, peace and love.

John Piper has addressed the issue of Calvinist negativity through his daily Ask Pastor John podcast. I recommend you check it out.