Introduction: A Spirit More Than a System

• Origins in the 1960s Jesus Movement

• Led by Chuck Smith

• Characteristics: Informal, contemporary, independent

• Doctrinal ethos shaped more by culture than theological system

• Raises the need to examine the actual beliefs

First, A Disclaimer

• All statements of faith are inherently incomplete

• Calvary Chapel’s is particularly thin and vague

• Inclusions and omissions both reveal priorities

The Scriptures

• Claim: Fully inspired, infallible Word of God

• Concerns:

• Which version? Autographs, manuscripts, translations?

• No stated hermeneutic or interpretive method

• No guidance on preservation

• Confusing language about church governance and “earthly law”

The Trinity

• Claim: One God, three persons, equal in power and glory

• Concerns:

• “Equal in power” not biblically demonstrated

• “Governs all things” raises determinism questions

• No clear explanation of unity vs. plurality

God the Father

• Claim: Infinite, holy, loving, merciful, answers prayer

• Concerns:

• “Personal spirit” language is philosophically vague and confuses persons of the Trinity

• Suggests constant divine involvement—ignores divine silence

• Salvation by the Father addressed here rather than under the Son

God the Son

• Claim: Jesus Christ—virgin birth, atoning death, resurrection, return

• Concerns:

• Focus is on the incarnate Christ, not eternal Son

• No mention of preexistence or creative role

• “His people” for intercession not clearly defined—blurs church and Israel

God the Holy Spirit

• Claim: Convicts, regenerates, empowers; all gifts for today

• Concerns:

• Conviction language unclear in light of 2 Corinthians 5:19

• Confusion between Spirit baptism and regeneration

• Gifts affirmed but not practiced or explained

Sin

• Claim: All are sinners by nature and choice, judged by God

• Concerns:

• Nature vs. choice contradiction

• Undefined “commandments”—are we under the Law?

• “Repentance and faith” both required—blurring grace

• “Whoever desires” allows for Calvinistic interpretations

Male Leadership in the Church

• Claim: Men lead in home and church; doctrinal authority is male

• Concerns:

• “Sacrificial example of Jesus” offered instead of creation order

• Abrupt shift to universal church without context

Ordinances

• Claim: Two—baptism and Lord’s Supper

• Concerns:

• No definition of ordinance

• Foot washing not addressed

• No clarity on meaning, necessity, or administration

Heaven and Hell

• Claim: Literal Heaven and Hell; believers go to Heaven, rejecters to separation

• Concerns:

• “Eternity in Heaven” ignores millennial kingdom and new earth

• Hell and Lake of Fire conflated

• “Faith, hope, and trust” undefined; prior repentance/ordinance expectations ignored

• “Free gift” language unexplained

Christ’s Second Coming

• Claim: Literal return, millennial kingdom, final judgment, pre-trib rapture

• Concerns:

• Resurrection at Second Coming contradicts pre-trib view

• Heaven vs. Kingdom language conflict

• Clear on pre-trib but unclear on sequencing

Marriage

• Claim: Male/female monogamous marriage is God’s design

• Concerns:

• Says nothing about divorce or remarriage

• Title “Marriage” overpromises and underdelivers

• Only defines, does not instruct

Final Thoughts

• Theologically conservative, but functionally broad evangelical

• Calvary Chapel is shaped more by style than by system

• The doctrinal statement is more mood than theology

• Local autonomy is both its strength and liability

• No assurance of doctrinal consistency across CC churches