The problems with being a Calvinist

Introduction

Calvinism is a set of doctrines derived from John Calvin's teaching in the 1500s. Calvin was a pastor and theologian, dedicated to the ideas of the Reformation while having his own doctrines as well. He was and is a controversial figure, not only because of his doctrines but also because of his often severe way of dealing with theological dissenters.

Over the centuries Calvinism has insinuated itself almost everywhere. Even churches that would claim to be non-Calvinist hold some Calvinist views, likely unawares. So we view it as important that we understand the problems of Calvinism, and as needed amend our beliefs accordingly.

Calvinism is roughly described with the acronym TULIP (aka, the doctrines of grace):

• (T)otal depravity
• (U)nconditional election
• (L)imited atonement
• (I)rresistible grace
• (P)erseverance of the saints

Total Depravity is the idea that we are not able to participate in our salvation. We cannot make a decision for Christ. God accomplishes 100% of our salvation without our participation in any way.

Unconditional election means that God already chose and predestined who would be saved. The elect are destined for salvation, and everyone else is destined for hell.

Limited atonement is that the atoning work of Jesus applies only to the elect and does not apply to those who are not chosen.

Irresistible grace means the elect cannot resist their salvation, they must be saved.

Perseverance of the saints means that because the elect are chosen they cannot fall away from the faith.

In summary, because we are depraved, there is nothing at all that would allow us to participate in our salvation. We do not yield to God and agree with Him that We need salvation. Our salvation is already chosen for us. God is sovereign and unconditionally elected us, so we don't have a choice because of irresistible grace.  Only the elect are saved, because the atonement only covers the elect. We can't fall away if we're among the elect, because once we are saved we are always saved.

Since the purpose of this post is not to evaluate Calvinistic doctrines, we refer the reader to our many doctrinal critiques here, along with the Scriptural support for our positions.

Problem One

What strikes us most about Calvinism is how much it doesn't matter. Yes, Calvinism doesn't matter. Practically speaking, none of the points have any bearing on our day-to-day faith. 

Why? Imagine that Calvinism had never been proposed as a doctrine. Nothing of them had been offered to you for consideration. You were unaware of these principles. So, what would Calvinism change in your life as a Christian?

Would Calvinism change the fact that you need salvation? People would still be lost and in need of a Savior, the sinner would still need to repent. As a saved person would it change the way you should lead your life? Would you still need share your faith, pray for the sick, and be generous with your time and your money? 

You would still be called to lead a holy life, you would still be obligated to help the widow and the orphan, you would still be required to study the Word and live a life pleasing to God. 

Therefore, Calvinism at its root is irrelevant. It is nothing more than doctrinal hairsplitting, an intellectual exercise with no utility at all.

Problem Two

Calvinists are quite committed to John Calvin's doctrine, so much so that they very nearly place it on the level of the Scriptures themselves. Which means to diverge from it even slightly is rank heresy. It is among the Calvinists we find the most Doctrinal Police and "discernment ministries."

Because of the continual pursuit of perfect doctrine, many Calvinists separate themselves from the rest of the Christian community, thus making the claim to be the only true church. This makes the entirety of the rest of Christendom to be heretics.

Ultimately, Calvinism is a technique used to determine Us vs. Them.

Problem Three

We find that Calvinistic teachers seem to never explain the faith or the Bible, rather, they are actually explaining Calvinism. This is a surprising observation to us, actually. The link we supplied takes the reader to all of our posts that critique articles written by Calvinists. It will quickly become clear to the reader that Calvinists nearly always teach about Calvinism and not the Bible. If they teach on sin, they will nearly always refer to some Calvinistic doctrine as they explain it. If they teach on repentance, it will be in the context of Calvinism. If they teach on evangelism, it will be from the perspective of Calvinism.

Once you see this, you can't unsee it.

Problem Four

We have found a distressing tendency among Calvinistic teachers: They will rarely quote the Bible, and sometimes one will not even find a Bible verse reference at all in their teaching. But they will quote Calvin. Frequently and at length. It continually mystifies us how someone can teach about the Bible while never quoting it.

We would speculate that quoting the Bible is an inconvenience to the Calvinist. The reason is that many of the verses upon which Calvinists base their doctrines do not actually teach Calvinism, so if they ever need to quote a verse a Calvinist needs provide explanations and "context." Calvinism requires workarounds to explain Bible texts. 

This suggests to us that the Calvinist uses his doctrines to interpret the Bible, rather than using the Bible to obtain doctrines. 

Conclusion

We would have no problem at all with these brothers in Christ ordinarily, but they have brought the fight to us. They are aggressive on social media, they will contest any statement that does not perfectly align with their beliefs, and they will want to categorize you as an Arminian if you even mildly disagree with them. 

Thus the committed Calvinist puts his Calvinism first and views the rest of Christianity as inadequate, heretical, or even not saved. 

For these Calvinists, we would suggest this to be cultic thinking.