PROBLEMS WITH CALVINISM

 

In some ways the Protestant Reformation was a “back to the Bible” movement, but light comes from Scripture and not the Protestant Reformation or the Protestant Reformers. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) The Reformers did teach important truths, but we should test all things by the Bible and not Reformation traditions. (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16)

Let’s look at each of the five points of Calvinism:

TOTAL DEPRAVITY. Calvinism interprets total depravity to mean total inability, that man is unable to come to Christ unless he is foreordained to salvation. Total depravity is taught in Scripture and means that man is a natural born sinner that can do nothing to earn or merit salvation.

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40) If the problem is an inability to come to Christ and not unwillingness, then why did Christ say “ye will not come to me?” 

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44) John 6:44 is often interpreted to mean that man is unable to come to Christ unless he is foreordained to salvation. But this interpretation conflicts with: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION. Calvinism says that some are chosen for Heaven and some are chosen for Hell and this choice is unconditional. But according to the Bible, the election of the redeemed is according to the foreknowledge of God. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30) “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1 Peter 1:2)

The call to salvation is universal. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36) “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

Scripture makes it clear that it is God's will for all to be saved. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

LIMITED ATONEMENT. Calvinism says that Christ only died for those chosen and ordained to go to Heaven. The argument that the whole world would be saved if Christ died for the whole world is also contrary to Scripture. The blood atonement is sufficient to save the whole world, but it is only efficient for those who believe. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (I Timothy 2:5-6) “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1John 4:14)

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE. Calvinism says God forces people to get saved. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8) “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (I Peter 3:20) Was it irresistible grace that saved Noah, or did grace bring salvation to Noah and his family? The grace of God bringeth salvation. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)

PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS. Calvinism says once saved always saved. While both sides of the debate can be far apart in the results of their teachings, they have important points in common. Both unconditional eternal security (once saved always saved) and Arminian eternal security (the belief that salvation can be lost through apostacy) share the same belief that faith in Christ is the key to security, and both teach that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works and that works determine rewards but not salvation.

Consider a few problems with the doctrine of unconditional eternal security:

·        “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The Greek word rendered believeth also means “commit to” or “be committed unto.” Note that everlasting life is dependent on commitment, and if you do not believeth in him you do not have everlasting life.

·        “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Eternal life is a relationship with God through Christ, and one is eternally secure when he is in Christ. The phrase “eternal life” (Greek: aionios zoe) refers to the quality or caliber of life that comes from a relationship with God in the present. Eternal life comes from the source of life, and a believer is secure if he is in Christ.

·        “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.” (I John 5:16) When a born-again believer sins God gives space to repent, so this must be dealing with persistent unrepentance. (Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 1:8-9) Is the sin unto death a reference to physical death or spiritual death? Death means separation: Physical death is the separation of the soul and body, and spiritual death is separation of man from God. (Genesis 35:18; Romans 5:12, 17; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; I Peter 4:6) Since all sin leads to physical death the sin unto death must be a reference to spiritual death.

·        “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31) Some scholars explain this to be referring to a lost person who apostatises after making a false profession of faith, but an unsaved person does not have to make a false profession and then reject Christ to be condemned. (John 3:18) Look carefully at the wording and grammar of Hebrews 10:26 and note that this is not saying that merely committing sin means the loss of salvation, or that God does not give space to repent, it is saying that persistent unrepentance means “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Compare I Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3-5)   

·        “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God THROUGH FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) 1 Peter 1:3-5 is often cited as proof of unconditional eternal security, with the question: If 1 Peter 1:3-5 does not mean once saved always saved, then what does it mean? Look closely at exactly what is being said and observe that this neither proves or disproves unconditional eternal security: The wording and grammar make it clear that faith is the key to security.

·         “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Salvation is a personal experience with Jesus Christ, so does Matthew 7:22-23 mean once saved always saved? Matthew 7:22-23 is not referring to all lost people, it deals with PROFESSED Christians depending on their works for salvation.

·        “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14) Note there is an “if.”

·        “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:38-39) According to this, there were some that drew back unto perdition; how can an unbeliever do that, since an unbeliever is condemned already? (John 3:18)

·        “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6:4-6) Is Hebrews 6:4-6 saying that if any genuine born-again believer ever did lose his salvation today, he could never be saved again as is often claimed? Prayerfully consider the context and setting. The temple in Jerusalem was still in operation when this was written, there was enormous pressure on Jewish Christians to recant their faith, and some Jewish Christians denied Christ and returned to Judaism and the sacrificing of animals at the temple; that kind of apostacy was only possible before the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem in 70 AD. 

·        “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:29) Let’s just take this passage at face value without reading into it: Other people cannot make a born-again believer lose his salvation.