Calvinist Flyswatter

Brother Bob L. Ross of Pilgrim Publications, who passed away last year, had a blog titled "Calvinist Flyswatter" (See here) along with a brother who is only known as "Charles." Bob did a lot of writing in this blog in his later years and in it are found all kinds of resources on Hyper Calvinism and Hardshellism. 

Bob Ross should be called Dr. Ross, even though he never obtained a degree as such from a seminary. Yet, his numerous writings, his books, show that the title belongs to him. He is not alone, for some of the ablest writers in the history of the church likewise had no formal letters of learning. Spurgeon never attended seminary and yet I have no reluctance to quote Spurgeon and call him Dr. Spurgeon. When some questioned the credentials of Dr. James White years ago, saying that his degree came not from an accredited school, he responded saying that his books should demonstrate that he is worthy of the degree or designation. Well, if that is the criteria, then surely we can call Bob "Dr. Ross" and Charles "Dr. Spurgeon." Further, if that is the definition (and I think it is a good one), then many others may legitimately have "Dr" before their names, even yours truly. 

Bob was a five point Calvinist and loved Spurgeon as I do. He was, however, an opponent of Hyper Calvinism and wrote many things against it. One was "the killing effects of Hyper Calvinism." He was also an opponent of Arminianism, especially of the Campbellite variety, writing numerous books on the errors of the followers of Alexander Campbell. He also wrote books against Landmarkism, and have been a source of much valuable information on that error. 

So, why would a five point Calvinist have a blog titled "Calvinist Flyswatter"? Should he not rather have a blog titled "Arminian Flyswatter"? Because of this blog title many thought (like James White, the nemesis of Ross) Ross had given up his Calvinism. But, that was not the case. Rather, it was a case of seeing the seriousness of the dangers of Hyper Calvinism. He was a vehement opponent of the born again before faith view and showed how such a view was not in agreement with the bible and not in agreement with the first Calvinists and Reformers, nor with the 1689 London Confession. Bob was constantly having to "swat" the flies of Hyper Calvinism and Hardshellism. So too do I. I oppose their interpretations of scripture, their logical reasoning on them, and see the evil of Hyper Calvinism as more dangerous than the evil of Arminianism. 

Bob did not swat the beliefs of historic Calvinism but the later corruption of it. So did Spurgeon. In fact, it may be truly said that Dr. Ross carried on the work of Spurgeon for Spurgeon was often swatting the flies of Hyper Calvinism. I too have carried on that work. In fact, James White said that I was simply a follower of Ross. 

I will continue to swat these flies. I have done plenty of swatting of Arminian flies through the years, as I did in the many debates I have had with those in the Campbellite movement. The focus of this blog has been to show how the so called Primitive Baptists today are not really primitive but a new denomination. I have shown how they are teaching grievous errors. I also of course write other articles on other subjects in this blog, which has become the place where I do the bulk of my writing now. 

Brother Ross told me one time, in answer to my question about his supposed turning away from the five points, that he just came to see how such was not "the pearl of great price" as do many who embrace the five points. I totally agree and this testimony has stuck with me all these years. Calvinism is not to be equated with "the gospel," nor with the pearl of great price. Our main business is not to try to get members from other churches, to proselyte, but to preach to those needing salvation. This is what Bob was correct to keep in focus.