THE SPIRIT OF CALVINISM!

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,  after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8).

The doctrinal tangle between traditional Christianity and the Reformed tradition (Calvinism) presents a difficult dilemma for a number of Christians. Calvinism appears to have some superficial agreement with the scriptures, but in reality there are lethal differences. (2 Corinthians 11:4). The acronym TULIP represents the main points of Reformed theology: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. All five points are interrelated into one system and effectually reverse the "good news" of the Gospel into very bad news for the majority of people. The false doctrine of limited atonement is the teaching that God has predestined some fallen humans (the elect) to salvation and eternal life, and others to damnation and everlasting punishment in hell.

The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Romans 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:3-14.

The Calvinist definition of predestination is contained within the Westminster Confession of Faith:

VI. As God has appointed the elect unto glory, so has He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto.[12] Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,[13] are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,[14] and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation.[15] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.[16]

VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extends or withholds mercy, as He pleases, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.[17] {1} 

Pastor Kevin Thompson, Beyond the Fundamentals, gives us the biblical definition:

"By predestination we mean the predetermined redemptive plan of God to justify, sanctify and glorify whosoever freely believes. All people are created with equal value as image bearers of God. Because God desires mercy over justice and self-sacrificially loves everyone, He has graciously provided the means of salvation to every man, woman, boy and girl. No person is created for damnation, or predetermined by God to that end. Those who perish only do so because they refused to accept the truth so as to be saved.” {2}  

I have always held the traditional view that God earnestly desires all people everywhere to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4). The verses below indicate that everyone is invited to respond to the gospel message:

John the Baptist testified about Jesus Christ... that all might believe through him. (John 1:7).

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (John 3:18).

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:39-40).

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 4:10). See also John 3:36; 5:24; 6: 29, 35,40, 47; 12:32; Hebrews 3:19; 1 John 2:2; 3:23; 5:10.

It takes some serious scripture twisting to make bible verses fit into the false doctrine of Calvinism.

Below are a few samples of alleged Calvinist "proof texts" for limited atonement:

*And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48).

The Expositors Greek Testament: "..there is no countenance here for the absolutum decretum of the Calvinists, since Acts 13:46 had already shown that the Jews had acted through their own choice. The words are really nothing more than a corollary of St. Paul’s ἀναγκαῖον: the Jews as a nation had been ordained to eternal life—they had rejected this election—but those who believed amongst the Gentiles were equally ordained by God to eternal life, and it was in accordance with His divine appointment that the Apostles had turned to them." {3}

It is possible to take the verb τεταγμένοι (τάσσω) "appointed" as either middle or passive. Such an interpretation in the middle voice might read: ..as many who were disposed.. (see Acts 20:13). Acts 18:6 has the same verb τάσσω in the negative: ..they set themselves against/resisted.. (ἀντιτασσομένων). Other examples of the middle voice include Matthew 28:16; Luke. 7:8; Acts 15:2; 18:6; 22:10; 28:23; Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 16:15.

Notice that the Jews rejection of the gospel was of their own volition: Acts:13:46; 18:6; 28:27.

Calvinist Strongholds: Ephesians 1:3-14 and Romans 8:28-34:

* 4 ..even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:4-5).

The phrase "us in him" is a corporate statement about believers in general. This verse does not refer to specific individuals "chosen" before the foundation of the world. The election of believers is actualized in Him. The phrase: “before the foundation of the world”, is applied elsewhere specifically to the eternal communion of the Son with the Father (John 17:24). Paul does not say that God chose us to be in Him, rather he says God chose us in Him to be holy and blameless. In other words: From the foundation of the world God predestined whoever is in Christ to become holy and blameless in his sight.

* 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Verse 13 specifies precisely when we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and included "in Him" i.e. upon conversion, not "before the foundation of the world". This verse also confirms that hearing plus faith precedes conversion. Calvinism reverses the order and has conversion preceding faith. Verse 14 has significant future implications ..we have not yet taken full possession of our inheritance. (Ephesians 5:27; Romans 8:30).

The word “chosen” is used of Jesus' choice of the twelve apostles (John 6:70; John 13:18; John 15:16-19). The exception, Judas Iscariot, chosen to the office of apostle, leaves us with a difficulty unless we allow for free will. (John 17:12). There may be another explanation. The Pharisess were identified as being.. of their father the devil. (John 8:44). However Judas is identified as an actual devil: "..one of you IS a devil." (John 6:70). 

* 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are  called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30).

Verse 28: "those who love God", is non-specific, i.e. it does not refer to particular individuals, rather it refers in a general sense to those who have previously repented and believed the gospel. In Calvinism, "effectual call" is the doctrine also known as “irresistible grace", but when Paul uses the word "called" in his letters, he addresses those who have responded to the call i.e. believers, rather than those who are invited to respond to the gospel message. Verse 29 and 30 are specific. Now Paul refers to those who have repented and are known and foreknown; these particular individuals are predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son i.e. the last stage in salvation, the glorification of the saints.

Christians should not allow false teachers to wrongly interpret the complexities contained within Paul's letters. There are some things in them (Paul's letters) that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:16 cf. Acts 20:29; 2 Timothy 2:15). An overwhelming number of passages/verses support the view that the gospel is an open invitation that everyone is capable of responding to.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160).

The following verses confirm free will and human responsibility:

Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22).

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18).

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. (1 John 5:10). See also: John 7:17, Joshua 24:15; John 1:12-13; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; James 1:13-16; 2 Timothy 2:26 etc. etc.

I wonder what the Apostle Paul would have to say about the Calvinist interpretation of atonement if he were with us. I think he would be horrified by his words being taken in such a way!

Historically Scotland played an important part in the spread of Calvinism to England and North America through the Presbyterian denomination. These days Calvinism is undergoing a resurgence and is not limited to the Presbyterians. The despicable practice of "stealth Calvanism", poses an ominous threat to traditional Southern Baptist churches in the US. (4) Here in the UK, we have our own infestation of New Calvinism, courtesy (amongst others) of the ecumenical Church of England. Richard Coekin, Director of the Co-Mission group of churches in south east London has been promoting New Calvinism for the last decade. The keynote speaker at this year's London Men’s Convention on the 2nd of June will be false teacher John Piper. {5} 

John Piper: "The intellectual appeal of the system of Calvinism draws a certain kind of intellectual person.. ..Do Calvinists want to make everybody else Calvinists? Absolutely we do!" {6}

Piper rightly defines Calvinism as a "system". Calvinism is actually a philosophical system. The suggestion that God favours intellectuals is a thinly veiled appeal to the flesh and to worldly pride! (1 Corinthians 1:19-28; Matthew 19:14). Much could be said about John Piper, his ecumenical associations and his false teachings! Very briefly:

*Piper is a seven point Calvinist.. he has added "double predestination", and "the best-of-all-possible worlds", for good measure. {7]
*Piper falsely teaches supersessionism (replacement theology).
*"John Piper opened up Warrengate when he made a mistake by inviting Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren to be a keynote speaker at the Desiring God Conference 2010." {8}
*Piper promotes the false teaching known as "Christian Hedonism".
*Piper led the ancient spiritual Roman Catholic monastic mystical practice of Lectio Divina at Passion 2012 with Louis Giglio, Francis Chan and Beth Moore. He has since apologised and removed this material from his website. {9}
*Regarding Pipers Book: A Hunger for God, Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer: "But of even greater concern is that Piper draws from a number of disturbing sources. There are spiritual formation leaders such as Richard Foster (pp. 19, 58, 202-203) and Dallas Willard (pp. 203-204), Roman Catholic priests and monks (p. 210), and the Desert Fathers and early church mystics from which much of modern fasting practices originate (p. 210)." {10}

*The negative effect of Piper's theistic determinism in a counselling situation has recently been highlighted by Leighton Flowers. {11} * I have reservations about including Flowers material, and I only include it here because his rebuttal against Calvinism is very good technically. Flowers advice to look to ourselves and our own past experiences if we are struggling with unbelief, is, in my view, unsound. The antidote to error is truth. (John 8:32, 36; Mathew 11:28).

The spirit of Calvinism seeks to destroy true biblical faith and replace it with a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6 cf. 1 John 4:6). The severe warning of Colossians 2:8 indicates that critically, the true faith once for all delivered to the saints, is under attack from such "systems". (Jude 1:3). KJV: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit", or as the AV has it "take you captive", i.e. to lead away as booty, i.e. (figuratively) seduce - spoil. The Greek verb συλαγωγέω = "I plunder, lead captive; met: I make victim by fraud." {12}

BEWARE OF CALVINISM! (1 Timothy 4:1).

{1}   http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/
{2}   http://beyondthefundamentals.com/Document_Files/Predestination_Presentation.pdf
{3}   http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/acts/13.htm
(4)   http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2014/07/beware-of-stealth-calvinism/
{5}   https://christianconventions.org.uk/lmc/convention
{6}   https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-are-calvinists-so-negative
{7]   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-piper-mean-when-he-says-hes-a-seven-point-calvinist
{8}   http://apprising.org/2010/04/07/crosstalk-bob-dewaay-on-warrengate-and-john-piper/
{9}   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-system-for-praying-in-2012
{10}  http://tottministries.org/a-hunger-for-god-desiring-god-through-fasting-and-prayer-by-john-piper-wheaton-crossway-1997-pp-239-paper-10-99/
{11}  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz2emj_LSx0  *
{12}  http://biblehub.com/greek/4812.htm