In recent years, I have noticed a tendency in some Reformed circles for Calvinists to bristle at the very mention of Jesus dying for the sins of the world or at an evangelist’s call to choose Christ. Other Calvinists can’t stomach the song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” After all, they might say, doesn’t this type of language mislead people into thinking they can decide for Christ apart from the Holy Spirit?Read the whole thing.I recommend that Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike follow the example of John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon and others in not refraining from using biblical language when speaking of these matters.
One small thing I'd add (and I know Trevin wouldn't disagree). Using the language of Scripture doesn't make something biblical, and not using the language of Scripture doesn't make something unbiblical. The most important thing is that we reflect the meaning (logic and intention) of Scripture. But it should certainly make us pause when we get so detailed in our semantics that we wince at a Scriptural writer using certain unqualified expressions.
So my encouragement--building off of Trevin's--is for people not to be semantic legalists (either in favor of, or in opposition to, repeating Scriptural language).
