Introduction
Many non-Calvinist Christians would not consider themselves to have Calvinist beliefs, but because of the pervasive influence of Calvinism their beliefs will often reflect some Calvinism. Part of this may be because Calvinism is extremely important to its adherents. Many Calvinists will defend to the death their beliefs (metaphorically speaking). This level of devotion is somewhat unsettling. Because of this emphatic advocacy these doctrines have found a place in many churches and denominations. So much so it has caused us to take a closer look at what Calvinists believe.
We find many of these beliefs unbiblical if not repugnant. So from time to time we post critiques of Calvinism, usually in the context of evaluating an article written by some Calvinistic Bible teacher. We've written over one hundred such critiques in our blog, some of them quite lengthy. So the purpose of today's post is to distill down some of the key concepts regarding these beliefs.
Calvinism is typically represented by the acronym TULIP:
- Total depravity - The lost are in complete darkness and cannot respond in any way to God
- Unconditional election - God predestined those who would be saved
- Limited atonement - Jesus died only for the Elect
- Irresistible grace - The Elect cannot resist their salvation
- Perseverance of the saints - The Elect can never fall away from the faith
This is a rough summary of Calvinism, a perplexing if not odd collection of beliefs. We will not discuss each one individually, because generally speaking they are based on one or two fundamental premises. So we will more specifically deal with the premises.
Of What Practical Use?
Before we go much further we should ask, what is the practical use of Calvinism? Review the above list. Is our former sinful state (#1) relevant to us as new creations? Are doctrines like the idea that God has already chosen those who will be saved (#2), a person cannot resist God's purpose to save them (#4), or a person cannot lose their salvation (#5), crucial understandings for the Church? Does it matter in any way that Christ died only for the Elect (#3) to the day-to-day life of a Christian?
No, these doctrines change no obligation to lead a holy life, to be a light, to serve one another, to be generous, to worship, or to grow in maturity of faith. None of these things are impacted by Calvinism.
Ro. 2:14:15 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Repentance is a crucial part of salvation. Jesus, Peter, and Paul commanded their hearers to repent, which seems like an appeal to choice:
Mt. 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Ac. 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...
Ro. 2:4-5 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
2Pe. 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Rejection:
1Co. 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God...
Acceptance:
1Th. 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Ro. 8:29-30 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Ro. 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Jn. 6:44 No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.So both the Father and the Son engage in helkýōis, drawing. Notice that this particular use of helkýōis refers to "all men."
Ep. 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called...
To answer this question, let's consider a third predestination Scripture:
Ep. 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
This certainly suggest that all of us were chosen and predestined, but we should keep reading:
Ep. 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...
No Choice in the Matter?
It seems clear that people can resist God, and even live compromised lives after being saved. We believe that Scripture is clear that choice is not illusory:
Heb 2:8 Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.
Mt. 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
He. 2:3-4: ...how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?
1Th. 4:8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Ac. 7:51 “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Ac. 14:16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
Is. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Ga. 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
2Pe. 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
Col. 1:22-23 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.
He. 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Ja. 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
2Pe. 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
He. 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
He. 3:6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.
He. 3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
Jn. 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
Ja. 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Re. 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.In order to be a Calvinist, each one of these Scriptures must be explained away. The plain meaning of each is unacceptable. Work-arounds and convoluted explanations ensue.
Conclusion
We do not doubt the salvation status of any Calvinist. Like any Christian (including us, of course), Calvinists have some errant beliefs. Calvinist err by forcing God into binary situations, misreading Scripture, and inserting themselves into Scriptures where don't belong.
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