Is Calvinism Practical?

After Stewie makes fun of the Professor for a host of reasons, the discussion picks up where it left off on John Piper's introduction to Calvinism as he speaks of its practicality in ministry. How teniable is the belief that all our choices are actually determined by God?  Does it really help us? In a culture that blames God and runs to sin rather than blaming sin and running to God, does the Calvinistic system help bolster the false notion that God is to blame for the evil, fallenness and all it consequences?   Do passages such as Eph. 6:10 which speak of other authorities and powers in this world and in heavenly places suggest that God has given over some measure of control? Does the Lord's prayer asking for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven suggest that what is happening on earth is not necessarily as God would determine it if He were in complete deterministic control over every thing that comes to pass? Join the discussion at www.soteriology101.com