Cage Stage Calvinism

Cage Stage Calvinism is a colloquial term used by Calvinist Christians to describe proselytes who have recently converted from a generically Arminian theology to Calvinism. It suggests that the new Calvinist would be best placed in a cage rather than cause undue offense to other Evangelicals due to their zealous promotion of the distinctives of Reformed Protestant theology, what Calvinists often refer to as the "doctrines of grace" or the doctrine of the "sovereignty" of God.
The term has been used by well-known authors such as Doug Wilson, R.C. Sproul, Jr. and C.J. Mahaney.
Reformed Baptist and Calvinist apologist James White comments,
"I've seen it many times. The Cage Stage. A believer's eyes are opened to the majesty of God as the sovereign King of the universe, and their entire life is turned upside down. And for a while, they have more zeal than they have knowledge. We call it the "cage stage." That period in the experience of the new Calvinist where they would be better off kept in a cage until they can gain enough maturity to handle these vitally important topics aright. That time when they are more likely to hurt themselves, and others! You know, when they are all running around smacking someone upside the head with Pink's The Sovereignty of God?"
Pastor John Samson in an article entitled 'Understanding Free Will' comments,
"Well, it could be that some reformed and crazed individual has put a gun to your head and told you that if you did not read this article he would shoot you. He would definitely be what I, and others refer to as a cage-stage Calvinist. When after coming to understand the doctrines of grace, for a period of a couple of years or so, some people need to be locked up in a cage. That would be the best thing for everyone! Zeal for Reformational truth needs to be augmented with sanity in human relations! A cage-stage Calvinist sends books, tapes, CD's, DVD's, and e-mails to all unsuspecting victims, regardless of whether or not they have ever shown an interest in these things. Christmas is the favorite time of the year for someone in this condition for they've been eagerly waiting for this excuse/opportunity to send R. C. Sproul's book, Chosen by God, to everyone they know. They are on a mission alright, but the best thing would be for them to cool down for a couple of years in a cage!"

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