Calvary Chapel Association
Calvary Chapel is an evangelical[1] association of Christian churches with over one thousand congregations worldwide.[2] Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a "fellowship of churches" in contrast to a denomination.[3][4] Churches which affiliate with Calvary Chapel may use the name "Calvary Chapel" but need not do so.
Beginning in 1965 in Southern California, this fellowship of churches grew out of Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Doctrinally, Calvary Chapel is evangelical, pretribulationist, and believes in the principle of sola scriptura. Calvary Chapels place great importance in the practice of expository teaching, a "verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book" approach to teaching the Bible.[5] Typically, Calvary Chapels operate under a pastor-led system of church government, sometimes referred to as the "Moses" model; however, some churches have an episcopal governance.[citation needed] Chuck Smith's "Calvary Chapel Distinctives" summarizes the tenets for which Calvary Chapel stands.
History
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In December 1965, Chuck Smith became the pastor of a 25-person congregation and in 1968 broke away from the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Santa Ana, California. Before Smith became their pastor, twelve of the 25 members attended a prayer meeting about whether or not to close their church: they reported that "the Holy Spirit spoke to them through prophecy" and told them that Chuck would become their pastor, that he would want to elevate the platform area, that God would bless the church, that it would go on the radio, that the church would become overcrowded, and that he would become known throughout the world.[6]
In 1969, Calvary Chapel became associated with what later became known as the Jesus Movement when Chuck's daughter introduced him to her boyfriend John, a former hippie who had become a Christian. John then introduced Chuck to Lonnie Frisbee, a hippie Christian who would eventually become a key figure in the Jesus Movement and in Calvary Chapel. Lonnie moved into Chuck's home, and in a few days, more hippies moved in with Chuck and his wife.[7]
In 1982, John Wimber, a Calvary Chapel pastor, and the Calvary Chapel leadership mutually agreed to part ways. Tension had been mounting over Wimber's emphasis on spiritual manifestations leading Wimber to withdraw from Calvary Chapel and affiliate with a network of churches that would become the Association of Vineyard Churches.[8]
Doctrine
Affiliates of Calvary Chapel believe in the fundamental doctrines of evangelical Christianity, which include the inerrancy of the Bible and the Trinity. Within evangelical Christianity, they say that they stand in the "middle ground between fundamentalism and Pentecostalism in modern Protestant theology". While they share with fundamentalism a belief in the inerrancy of the Bible, unlike fundamentalists, they accept spiritual gifts. However, they feel that Pentecostalism values experience at the expense of the word of God.[9]
Calvinism and Arminianism
Calvary Chapel strives to "strik[e] a balance between extremes" when it comes to controversial theological issues such as Calvinism's and Arminianism's conflicting views on salvation. Calvary Chapels hold the following views on the five points of Calvinism:
- On the first point, Calvary Chapel agrees with Calvinism's view of all men as "sinners" but holds that — with God's grace — salvation becomes possible.[10]
- On point number two, Calvinists believe that man's election to salvation lies completely in the choice of God, while Arminians believe that man's free will plays a role as well. Calvary Chapel has taken a middle ground approach by saying that "God clearly does choose, but man must also accept God's invitation to salvation."[11]
- On point number three, Calvary strongly sides with Arminianism, which contends that Jesus died "for the whole world"; this contrasts with the Calvinist view that Jesus' death was intended and therefore efficient only for those who would believe. The Calvary Chapel view is that the "atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ was clearly sufficient to save the entire human race".[12]
- Point four has to do with man's ability to resist God. Calvary sides with Arminianism on this point and believes that "God's grace can either be resisted or received by the exercise of human free will".[13] Calvinists believe in irresistible grace.
- On the final point, Calvary Chapels believe in the perseverance of the saints (true believers) but express deep concern about sinful lifestyles and rebellious hearts among those who call themselves Christians.[14]
Spiritual gifts
Although Calvary Chapel believes in the continuing efficacy of the gift of tongues, it does not recognize uninterpreted tongues spoken in a congregational setting as necessarily inspired (or at least directed) by the Holy Spirit because of its understanding of 1 Corinthians 14. Calvary Chapel accepts that the Bible affirms interpreted tongues and modern prophecy. Practicing tongues in private occurs more commonly.[15] Calvary Chapel does not teach that the outward manifestation of every Christian counts as speaking in tongues. Instead, the movement's theologians regard speaking in tongues as one of the many gifts of the Spirit and see believers as blessed as the Spirit moves.[citation needed]
Baptism and Communion
Calvary Chapels practice believer's baptism by immersion. Calvary Chapel does not regard baptism as necessary for salvation, but instead sees it as an outward sign of an inward change. As a result, the Chapels do not baptize infants, although they may dedicate them to God. Calvary Chapel views Communion in a symbolic way, with reference to 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
Eschatology
Calvary Chapels strongly espouse pretribulationist and premillennialist views in their eschatology (the study of the end times). They believe that the rapture of the Church will occur first, followed by a literal seven-year period of great tribulation, followed by the second coming of Jesus Christ, and then finally a literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth called the Millennial Kingdom. Calvary Chapel also rejects supersessionism and instead believes that the Jews remain God's chosen people and that Israel will play an important part in the end times.[16]
Interest in one event during the Tribulation—the building of a Third Temple in Jerusalem—led in the early 1980s to associations between some in Calvary Chapel (including Chuck Smith) and Jewish groups interested in seeing the temple rebuilt.[17] During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chuck Smith discussed a prophetic timeline that suggested the Rapture would occur in 1981. The reasoning had to do with the idea that the 7-year Tribulation would end in 1988, forty years after the establishment of the state of Israel. Disappointment resulting from the non-occurrence of the Rapture in 1981 caused some to leave the church.[18][19][20][21]
Organization
Calvary Chapels are independent and self governing churches. They do not employ congregational polity, believing that congregations made poor decisions in the Old Testament, citing Exodus 16:2 as an example. They believe that the New Testament clearly ordains the presbyterian and episcopal forms of church government, looking to Acts 14:23 and 1 Timothy 3:1.
The majority of Calvary Chapels have adopted models of government based on the theocracy that God established in the Old Testament—sometimes called the "Moses model". In this system, God was head of his people and under God's authority was Moses, who led the Israelites as God directed him. Moses also had a priesthood and seventy elders providing him support. Calvary Chapel has adapted this schema so that their pastors have a role like Moses and their boards of elders function in supporting roles.[22][23]
The Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship (CCOF) has the responsibility of affiliating churches with Calvary Chapel. A church that affiliates with Calvary Chapel often (but not always) uses the name "Calvary Chapel". Three requirements for becoming affiliated exist:
- the pastor must "embrace the characteristics of the Calvary Chapel movement as described in Calvary Chapel Distinctives"
- the church must have the characteristics of a church (as opposed to a less-developed home fellowship)
- an applicant must express willingness to spend the time to fellowship with other Calvary Chapels[24]
The requirements do not include a seminary degree. In accordance with Calvary's interpretation and understanding of the Bible (see 1 Timothy 3:2 and 1 Timothy 3:12), Calvary Chapel does not ordain women or homosexuals as pastors.
Regional lead pastors exercise a measure of accountability.[25] Since no legal or financial ties link the different Calvary Chapels, only disaffiliation can serve as a disciplinary procedure.
Practices
Calvary Chapel pastors tend to prefer expositional sermons rather than topical ones, and they will often give their sermons sequentially from the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. They believe that expository preaching allows the congregation to learn how all parts of the Bible address issues as opposed to topical sermons which they see as allowing preachers to emphasize certain issues more than others.[citation needed] Another advantage, they say, is that it makes difficult topics easier to address because members of the congregation won't feel like they are being singled out.[citation needed] It sees expository teaching as providing consistent teaching that, over time, brings the "perfecting of the saints" which is part of their general philosophy for the Church.[26] In teaching expositorily through scripture sequentially, Calvary Chapel believes God sets the agenda, not the pastor.
Calvary Chapels believe that most churches have a "dependent, highly organized, [and] structured" environment, but that most people want an "independent and casual way of life". Calvary therefore has decided[citation needed] to have a casual and laid-back atmosphere in their churches. As a practical implication of this philosophy, people may wear street clothes to church.[23] Praise and worship usually consists of upbeat contemporary Christian music though many Calvarys also play hymns. The style of worship generally reflects the region and the specific make-up of the congregation.
Calvary Chapel does not have a formalized system of church membership. Calling a Calvary Chapel one's church usually means regularly attending church services and becoming involved in fellowship with other "members" of the church.
Ministries
Bible college
Technically, Calvary Chapel has only one Bible college: Calvary Chapel Bible College (CCBC), located in Murrieta, California. However, this school also has at least 90 extension campuses throughout the world.[27] Founded in 1975, it originally offered a "short, intensive study program",[28] but it subsequently became a two-year school which awards Certificates of Completion, Associate in Theology degrees, and Bachelor of Biblical Studies degrees (depending on a student's educational history).[29] No matter which degree or certificate a student earns, the course requirements remain the same.[clarification needed]
Calvary Chapel now[update] offers a Master's degree program at the Costa Mesa campus, where the Calvary Chapel School of Ministry (SoM)[30] operates.[31] The college as a whole does not have accreditation, but students can transfer CCBC credits to some major accredited colleges such as Azusa Pacific.[citation needed] The college does not seek accreditation,[32] as this allows Calvary Chapel to control the content of instruction and curriculum.[33]
Broadcasting
Several other Calvary Chapel branches operate their own stations:
- Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa operates KWVE-FM near Los Angeles, California. Its programming consists mostly of Bible teaching, but it also includes some Christian music.[34]
- Calvary Albuquerque (in New Mexico) operates KLYT, known as M88 Radio. This station plays Christian music and has 16 broadcast translators around New Mexico.[35]
- Calvary Chapel of Bishop in Bishop, California operates the Living Proof Radio Network which broadcasts to much of Eastern California and the high desert on 88.5 KWTW, 90.9 KWTM, 91.3 KWTH, 91.9 KWTD as well as using several translators. The station plays Christian worship music, jingles containing short scripture readings, and teaching from various Calvary Chapels and other churches, as well as a weekend program called "God's Country" — featuring Christian country and bluegrass.
- Calvary Chapel Brandon in Brandon, Florida broadcasts on 96.5 The Word FM. Popular Calvary Chapel speakers and Christian music appear daily on the broadcast.
- Calvary Chapel Chico in California operates KQIP-LP 107.1 FM, known as The Calvary Road. This station airs sermons from other Calvary pastors as well as live, weekly broadcasts of Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday services. Calvary Chapel Chico also operates a webcast that broadcasts live services as well as past archived services.
- Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes in New York operates WZXV "The Word" at 99.7 FM in Palmyra, NY. "The Word" broadcasts through western New York on several translators, and throughout the world via streaming audio.[36] WZXV airs Bible studies as well as praise and worship music.
- Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida broadcasts on WREH Reach FM on 90.5 FM, with repeater stations currently[update] dispersed throughout the state of Florida.
- Calvary Chapel Honolulu (in Hawaii) operates KLHT, known on-air as K-Light 1040 AM. This station offers inspirational programming.
- Calvary Chapel Kendall in Kendall, FL will begin broadcasting on March 1, 2010 with the recently acquired 90.9 FM WGES-FM license as LIFE:FM90.9.[37]
- Calvary Chapel of Marlton operates 90.5 Hope-FM Marlton, NJ. Broadcasting Calvary Chapel teachings and Christian music in the Philadelphia metro area.
- Calvary Chapel Old Bridge (in Old Bridge, NJ), operates WRDR The Bridge FM reaching a potential audience of over 6.5 million people in the New York-New Jersey metro area on 91.9 FM, 89.7 FM, 103.1 FM, 98.9 FM and 99.7 FM.
- Calvary Chapel of Oxnard operates 101.5 FM Cross Culture Radio from Oxnard, CA. It broadcasts Bible teaching from various Calvary Chapel teachers as well as contemporary Christian Praise and Worship music.
- Calvary Chapel Pocatello in Southeast Idaho operates KRTK 1490 AM, known as CrossTalk Radio. This station airs Bible teaching, contemporary Christian music, and worship music.
- Calvary Chapel Portsmouth in England is on GenesisTV Friday 10PM BST, known as Cross Reference. This station airs Bible teaching and contemporary Christian music.
- Calvary Church of Russell in Pennsylvania operates WTWT, a station broadcasting in the western Twin Tiers region of New York and Pennsylvania. The station airs a mix of bible teaching and Christian rock, competing with the more contemporary Family Life Network.
- Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara operates KVRY-LP in Goleta California(adjacent to Santa Barbara). It broadcasts Contemporary Christian Music and covers the University of California-Santa Barbara.
- Calvary Chapel Uncasville in Uncasville, Connecticut, broadcasts as WCSE "Spark the Dark" on 94.9 FM, 100.1 FM, and 107.3 FM.
- Jesus Fellowship Of Believers in Menomonie, WI, broadcasts as Burning Dog Radio on 101.7FM—reaching about 9,000 University of Wisconsin–Stout college students.
- Calvary Chapel Silver City. KKSC the Light, 100.1 LPFM.
In addition, the CSN International and Effect Radio networks were founded by a Calvary Chapel in Twin Falls, Idaho; though CSN still carries a significant number of programs from several Calvary Chapels, the networks and the church (now known by the name "The River Christian Fellowship") have all apparently severed their official ties with the Calvary Chapel.
Harvest Crusades
Harvest Crusades operate as a ministry of Harvest Christian Fellowship (a Calvary Chapel in Riverside, California). They carry out an evangelistic ministry similar to Billy Graham's. They meet in stadiums and have Christian music bands play followed by an evangelical message normally given by Greg Laurie. They estimate three million people have attended since its inception in 1990.[38]
Criticisms
A 2006 article in Christianity Today criticized a lack of accountability and what it viewed as undue control exercised over a Calvary Chapel in New Mexico by pastor Skip Heitzig.[39]
Cult deprogrammer Rick Ross was quoted in the Sonoma County Independent in 1998 as saying of Calvary Chapel, "I wouldn't go so far as to call them a full-on cult. But I will say that Calvary Chapel is an extremely authoritarian group where lots of control is exercised over the members."[40] Professor Jeff MacSwan responds to Ross saying "I wouldn't say they're a cult... because then you'd have to say that 12-step groups are cults, or even the Marines" In the same article, Calvary Chapel Pastor Don McClure states "Calvary Chapels are among the least judgmental, most easygoing churches I've ever seen... I guess if someone's calling us a cult, then they don't understand what we're really all about."
Calvinist critics have criticized Calvary Chapel's centrist stance on Calvinism and Arminianism. Such critics may regard the doctrine of free will as unbiblical and may hold that God alone chooses people for salvation. [41][42][43][44] Others express concerns that Calvary Chapel's position seems vague and that Chapels use the issue to reinforce group-think.[45]
As a result of micromanaging church elders and board members, Chuck Smith used "an independent board of elders" when he took the senior pastor role at Calvary Chapel. Smith subsequently wrote that "senior pastors should be answerable to God, not to a denominational hierarchy or board of elders". Christianity Today, which calls this the "Moses Model"—where senior pastors do not permit their authority to be challenged—identifies how churches that adhere to this model are often resistant to accountability. In response, Smith suggests that the model God used when Israel was under the rule of Moses is a good model to adopt.[46]
Notable members
Pastors
- Chuck Smith, founder of the calvary Chapel movement in the 1960s; as of 2009[update] senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana, California
- Lonnie Frisbee (died 1993), hippie evangelist in the 1960s, the key figure of the Jesus Movement: "The first Jesus freak".[47] Pastor in Calvary Chapel until 1971.
- Mark Balmer, senior pastor as of 2009[update][48] of Calvary Chapel of Melbourne in Melbourne, Florida
- Bob Coy, senior pastor (1985 to present[update])[49] of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Skip Heitzig, senior pastor as of 2009[update][50] of Calvary of Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico (to 2004 and from 2006)
- J. Mark Martin, pastor (1982 to present[update]) of Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona
- Mike MacIntosh, pastor as of 2009[update] of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, California
- Chuck Missler, author and teacher
- Malcolm Wild, senior pastor as of 2009[update][51] of Calvary Chapel Merritt Island in Merritt Island, Florida
Musicians
- Dennis Agajanian, alumnus of the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the fastest flat-picker
- Alejandro Alonso, contemporary Christian-Latin artist
- Jeremy Camp, contemporary Christian artist
- Richie Furay, folk rock artist
- Brian Nixon, former rock musician with the bands The Electra and Widow's Mite
- P.O.D., alternative rock band
- Tony Stone, Christian hip-hop producer
- Switchfoot, alternative rock band
- Phil Wickham, contemporary Christian artist
See also
- Association of Vineyard Churches split from Calvary Chapel in 1982 over ideological differences about the Holy Spirit.
- Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- The Packinghouse Christian Fellowship, Redlands, California
External links
- Calvary Chapel - Official Site
- Calvary Costa Mesa Schools
- Calvary Chapel School of Ministry
- Calvary Chapel School of Worship
- Calvary Chapel Magazine
References
- ^ Ballmer, Randall (2006). "California Kickback". Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey Into the Evangelical Subculture in America. Oxford University Press US.
- ^ "Churches List Ordered By City". Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- ^ "What We Believe". Retrieved 2010-02-14.
We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of the doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the Body of Christ.
- ^ Miller, Donald (1999). Reinventing American Protestantism: Christianity in the New Millennium. University of California Press.
Smith was not attempting to create a denomination; rather, what emerged was a loose fellowship of like-minded people.... Asked about what is preventing the a movement the size of Calvary Chapel, Smith emphatically answers, "Me," and then clarifies how a relationally based movement was ensured "by being fiercely independent and implanting this independence in them [the offspring churches]; by each of them incorporating independently; by not requiring reports; by keeping the affiliation [of churches] just a very loose affiliation." He states that there are no requirements, no calls, no letters from headquarters, unless there are major deviations from Calvary Chapel philosophy, at which point there might be a call from "Dad" to inquire what is going on. Calvary Chapel doctrine, if it can be called that, is simple. On many points there can be diversity of opinion so long as the centrality of scripture is maintained, along with such fundamental Christian beliefs as the deity of Christ and the resurrection of Jesus.
- ^ Miller, Donald (1999). Reinventing American Protestantism: Christianity in the New Millennium. University of California Press.
The trademark of the doctrine of Chuck Smith and all Calvary Chapels is their verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (Fall, 1981). "The history of Calvary Chapel" (PDF). Last Times. p. 5. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
While the tiny group at Calvary Chapel was praying about closing the church and not knowing what to do, the Holy Spirit spoke to them through prophecy. He said that He would lay a burden upon the heart of Chuck Smith to come and pastor. The Spirit said that Chuck wouldn't be happy with the church building. He would want to remodel it immediately, the platform area and all. God would bless the church and it would go on the radio. The church would become overcrowded. They would have to move to new quarters on the bluff overlooking the bay. And the church would become known throughout the world.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Coker, Matt (April 14, 2005). "Ears on Their Heads, But They Don't Hear: Spreading the real message of Frisbee". Orange County Weekly. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
- ^ Church, Identity, and Change: Theology and Denominational Structures in Unsettled Times. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 2005. p. 136. ISBN 0-8028-2819-1.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Taylor, Larry. What Calvary Chapel Teaches.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. The Word For Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We believe that all are sinners (Romans 3:23) and unable by human performance to earn, deserve, or merit salvation (Titus 3:5). We believe that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and that apart from God's grace, no one can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). We believe that none are righteous, or capable of doing good (Romans 3:10-12), and that apart from the conviction and regeneration of the Holy Spirit, none can be saved (John 1:12-13; 16:8-11; I Peter 1:23-25). Mankind is clearly fallen and lost in sin.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. The Word For Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We believe that God chose the believer before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6), and based on His foreknowledge, has predestined the believer to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29-30). We believe that God offers salvation to all who will call on His name. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." We also believe that God calls to Himself those who will believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:9). However, the Bible also teaches that an invitation (or call) is given to all, but that only a few will accept it. We see this balance throughout scripture. Revelation 22:17 states, "And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." I Peter 1:2 tells us we are, "elect according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." Matthew 22:14 says, "For many are called, but few are chosen (elected)." God clearly does choose, but man must also accept God's invitation to salvation.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. The Word For Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We believe that Jesus Christ died as a propitiation (a satisfaction of the righteous wrath of God against sin) "for the whole world" (I John 2:2; 4:9-10), and that He redeems and forgives all who will believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation from sin, death, and hell (Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19). We believe that eternal life is a gift of God (Romans 6:23), and that "whosoever believeth" in Jesus Christ will not perish, but will have eternal life (John 3:16-18). I Timothy 4:10 says "we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe." Hebrews 2:9 states that Jesus, "was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man." The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ was clearly sufficient to save the entire human race.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. The Word For Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
In Stephen's message in Acts 7:51, he concluded by saying, "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye." In Romans 10:21, the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 65:2 when he speaks of God's words to Israel, "All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." In one of the five warning passages of the book of Hebrews, we read in Hebrews 10:26, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Verse 29 adds, "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Clearly, God's grace can either be resisted or received by the exercise of human free will.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. The Word For Today. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:38-39), and that there is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). We believe that the promise of Jesus in John 10:27-28 is clear: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." Jesus said in John 6:37, "him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." We have this assurance in Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." We believe that the Holy Spirit has sealed us unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30). But we also are deeply concerned over the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). Charisma vs. Charismania. Word for Today. ISBN 0-936728-49-3.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). "The Rapture Of The Church". Calvary Chapel Doctrine and Distinctives. The Word For Today.
- ^ Ariel, Yaakov (2007). "Terror at the Holy of Holies: Christians and Jewish Builders of the Temple at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century". Journal of Religion and Society. Omaha, Nebraska: Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
According to one source, [Stanley] Goldfoot was the one to establish the contacts, which became vital since the 1990s, between the Temple Mount Faithful and its Christian supporters (Kol HaIr 13 October 1995: 44-49). In the early 1980s, Chuck Smith, a noted evangelist and minister of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, one of the largest and most dynamic Charismatic churches in America (on Smith, see Miller), invited Stanley Goldfoot to lecture in his church, and Smith's followers helped to finance Goldfoot's activity. Chuck Smith's involvement in the rebuilding of the Temple is demonstrative of the constituency of Christians interested in the Temple and the prospect of its rebuilding.
- ^ Gorenberg, Gershom. The End of Days:Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount. p. 123.
- ^ Abanes,Richard. End-Time Visions : The Road to Armageddon. pp. 326, 412-413.
- ^ DiSabatino, David. The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource. Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies. p.68
- ^ Goffard, Christopher. Father, Son and Holy Rift. September 02, 2006 in print edition A-1, Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/02/local/me-smiths2
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). "Church Government". Calvary Chapel Doctrine and Distinctives. The Word For Today.
- ^ a b Smith, Chuck. The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel.
- ^ "Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship Introduction". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
- ^ "Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship Mission Statement". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
- ^ Smith, Chuck (1993). "The Priority of the Word". Calvary Chapel Doctrine and Distinctives. The Word For Today.
- ^ "CCBC Extension Campuses". Retrieved 2006-04-16.
- ^ "CCBC Main Campus". Retrieved 2006-04-16.
- ^ "CCBC Undergraduate Program". Retrieved 2006-04-16.
- ^
"Calvary Chapel School of Ministry". Retrieved 2008-09-15.
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(help) - ^ "CCBC Graduation Worksheet" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-04-16.
- ^
"Calvary Chapel bible College - Accreditation". 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We are not accredited, nor are we seeking accreditation, so as to be free from outside control and remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
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"CCBC Accreditation". Retrieved 2008-10-26.
We desire to continue in our independent standing so as not to compromise the integrity of the vision or direction the Lord has given to CCBC. We believe that the credibility of CCBC is not in accreditation, but in the fruitfulness and surrendered lives of the students who have attended.
- ^ "KWVE Programs". Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- ^ "M88 Radio". Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- ^ "WZXV Streaming". Retrieved 2007-02-15.
- ^ "LIFE:FM90.9 Announcement". Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- ^ "Harvest Crusades". Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- ^ Moll, Rob (2006-05-08). "Unaccountable at Calvary Chapel". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
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(help) - ^ Templeton, David (1998-04-02). "Losing My Religion". Sonoma County Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ^ Kane, Ray. "A Biblical Critique of Chuck Smith's Study: "Calvinism, Arminianism & The Word Of God"". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
- ^ Hendryx, John. "Synergism & Freewillism Commonly Taught in Modern Pulpits". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
- ^ Nolan, John. "An Open Letter to Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
- ^ "Why I Am Not A 5 Point Calvinist" (mp3). Retrieved 2006-04-17. - the subject of the above open letter
- ^ "Calvary Chapel Visitor Comments". The Ross Institute Internet Archives. The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
I have grave concerns about Chuck Smith's teachings. He makes it sound as if Calvary Chapels are non divisive and believe only the Scriptures, but then sets up the leaders of the Calvary movement as the sole judge of truth. This is apparent from the last page of his pamphlet entitled 'Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God.' He makes it sound as if he can judge true doctrine based on his assessment of a person's attitude.
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(help) - ^ Moll, Rob (2007-02-16). "Day of Reckoning: Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel face an uncertain future". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Coker, Matt (2005-03-03). "The First Jesus Freak: A pot-smokin, LSD-droppin seeker turned Calvary Chapel into a household name. So why is Lonnie Frisbee missing from church history?". OC Weekly. Santa Ana, California: Village Voice. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
Lonnie left after about four years as Calvary's unofficial youth pastor and, after a brief time in the Shepherding movement, wound up at the soon-to-become Vineyard Church of Yorba Linda.
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(help) - ^ "Meet the Pastors". Melbourne, Florida: Calvary Chapel of Melbourne. 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
Mark Balmer is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of Melbourne in West Melbourne, Florida.
- ^ "Biography". Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century.
- ^ "About Calvary". Albuquerque, New Mexico: Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
Skip, along with Lenya and their son, moved back to California in January 2004 to serve as Senior Pastor at Ocean Hills Community Church in San Juan Capistrano. Skip served in this capacity until July 2006, when he and Lenya returned to Albuquerque to once again serve as Senior Pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque.
- ^ "Welcome to Sound Truth Online". Merritt Island, Florida: Sound Truth Online. 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
Sound Truth is the teaching ministry of Pastor Malcolm Wild, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Merritt Island in Merritt Island Florida.