“CALVINISM AND THE WORD OF GOD”

There are many books that have been published on the subject of Calvinism. A number of talk shows have devoted a great deal of time to this long-standing controversy among believers over the doctrines of salvation. We have had numerous questions about our own position and questions from believers who do not understand what the controversy is all about. While not exhaustive, we will attempt to bring some brief answers to very difficult theological differences among believers.

The so-called “five points of Calvinism” were actually formulated at the Synod of Dort which convened in November of 1617 AD and concluded its work in May of 1618 AD - more than fifty years after the death of John Calvin. These five points were originally given in opposition to the positions of those who followed the teachings of Jacobus Arminius, a Reformed pastor who questioned many of the positions and practices of the followers of John Calvin. These points are remembered by the word “TULIP”:

T = Total Depravity
U = Unconditional Election
L = Limited Atonement
I = Irresistible Grace
P = Perseverance of the Saints

It is our desire at The Light Of The World Ministries to base what we believe and teach upon the clear statements of God’s Word, the Bible, and not rely upon the interpretations and reasoning of scholars and theologians in church history both past and present. We respect scholarship wherever it is found, but our opinion (for whatever it is worth) is that a great deal of pride and arrogance has entered into these discussions. God has honored humility and kindness in our relationships toward those who would disagree with us. We need to stand for what is right and obvious, but be gracious in areas where good men disagree. The question in our minds about these important issues relating to salvation is “What does the Bible actually say?”

Calvinism believes that humanity since the fall of Adam is born with a sinful nature, will prove that fact by sinning, and is unable to respond to the gospel without being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Some Calvinists would argue that God is the Author of sin as well as salvation. This requires the work of regeneration to precede the act of faith on the part of those who have been chosen to believe. To the Calvinist, faith is the gift of God; humanity is unable to believe without first being regenerated. The Calvinist believes that predestination means that God has chosen some to be saved and others to be damned to hell.

Most Calvinists believe that predestination and God’s foreknowledge are pretty much the same thing. Because God has already decided who will be saved and who will not be saved, therefore He obviously knows ahead of time as to these results. Calvinists believe that God’s choice is not based on any decision, act, or worth of any individual but solely on the pleasure and will of God Himself. Calvinists speak often of the sovereignty of God in these matters and have a tendency to ignore any responsibility on the part of humanity. Because of their unique interpretation of the doctrines of salvation, Calvinists believe that Jesus Christ died only for the “elect,” that is, the ones already chosen by God. This is called “limited atonement.” Calvinists also believe that if you are one of the “elect” it is impossible for you to resist the grace of God that brings salvation to you. Calvinists also believe that the “elect” can NEVER lose their salvation and that they will persevere unto the end.

It is important in evaluating Calvinism to understand how each of the points are related to, and dependent upon, the other points. If there is a “crack” in the system, the whole superstructure tends to be questionable, doubtful, or even destroyed. The Calvinists themselves frequently point this out. They believe Scripture requires the whole package. They believe all the points are true and undeniable.

So, are we “Calvinists”? We prefer to be called “Biblicists,” or simply – Bible-believing! We believe the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible. The Bible teaches:

1. We are sinners by nature and act – Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-3
2. Our works of righteousness will not save us – Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:28; Titus 3:5
3. As unbelievers, we are not subject to the law of God nor can we please God – Romans 8:7-8
4. God is not the author of sin – John 8:44; Romans 5:12; James 1:13-15
5. Depravity or sinfulness does not require inability to respond – John 1:12-13; Romans 10:9-13
6. Salvation requires the work of the Holy Spirit – John 1:12-13; 3:1-8; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:23-25
7. Salvation demands a human response:
Toward sin – it demands confession and repentance – Acts 2:38; 5:31; 11:18; 20:21; I John 1:9
Toward Jesus Christ – it demands faith – John 3:16-18; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; I John 5:1, 11-13
8. Faith is not the gift of God in salvation – Ephesians 2:8-9 (pronoun “that” refers to salvation by grace)
(There is a spiritual gift of “faith” given to believers by the Holy Spirit.)
9. We must be born again to be saved and have eternal life – John 3:1-8
10. We are justified (declared righteous before God) by faith – Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; 3:24
11. Faith precedes regeneration (being “born again”) – John 3:15-18, 36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13
12. Predestination and election are based on foreknowledge – Romans 8:29; I Peter 1:2
13. Predestination refers to conformity to Jesus Christ and being adopted – Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29
14. God chose those who believe before the foundation of the world – Ephesians 1:4; II Timothy 1:9
15. Election is not based on human good or works – Romans 9:10
16. God is sovereign, but that truth does not eliminate human responsibility – Romans 8:14-33; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13
17. Jesus Christ died for the whole world – I Timothy 2:5-6; 4:10; I John 2:2 (propitiation)
18. Only those who believe are redeemed – Romans 3:24-26; I Peter 1:18-19
19. Sinners can resist the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit – Acts 7:51; Hebrews 10:29
20. True believers can never lose their salvation – John 10:28-30; Romans 8:38-39

This list certainly does not answer all of our questions nor does it express all that the Bible teaches on these matters. Perhaps it will be a guideline for future study. We do NOT enjoy “name-calling” among believers, or any attempts to divide born-again believers from each other. We have many differences and disagreements among true believers. Perhaps it would best to end this brief discussion with four things about God Himself that the Bible reveals:

1. God’s PLEASURE – Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Isaiah 46:9-11; 55:11; Ephesians 1:5, 9; Philippians 2:13; Revelation 4:11
2. God’s PROVIDENCE – Romans 8:28; 11:36; Ephesians 1:11
3. God’s PLAN – Romans 9:8-23
4. God’s PURPOSE – John 15:16; Rom. 8:29; Ephesians 1:4, 11-12; I Peter 2:9-10

Be sure to read the Bible prayerfully and carefully. Rely upon what the Bible says, NOT what people say it means to them or what they personally “feel” about it. Study the context of each verse diligently. Remember that the Bible was written in Hebrew in the Old Testament (a very few passages use Aramaic – in Ezra & Daniel) and Greek in the New Testament. Jesus and His disciples spoke Hebrew, and that was translated into Greek (the largest language in the history of the world), which was the common language of the Roman Empire in the first century AD. Learn to praise God for Who He is and for all He has done, and give Him all the glory in all you say and do!