CALVINISM EXAMINED
-Ralph Johnson
JOHN CALVIN'S SCHEME OF REDEMPTION
Five Points of Calvinism. (T-U-L-I-P) [1]
T-otal Hereditary Depravity. (Complete inability to respond affirmatively to God unless God does the moving)
U-nconditional Particular Election. (From creation, God unconditionally predestined some men and angels to salvation and others to damnation and the number cannot be increased or diminished)
L-imited Atonement. (Christ died only for the elect)
I-rresistible Grace. (Salvation is exclusively accomplished by God acting upon the hearts of men with no capacity on their part to accept or reject)
P-erseverance of the particular elect.
(“Once saved always saved,” “Eternal security,” or “Once in grace, always in grace.”)
These five points, together, form what is commonly known as “Calvinism” which is most often confronted in the forms of Predestination, Special Illumination in conversion, and Unconditional Eternal Security.
In examining this subject we need to keep in mind that “Calvinism” is a very broad and fluid subject. It is not a concise, exact doctrine upon which all agree. Therefore, in our attempt to cover the subject everything cited is not necessarily held by all.
To non-Calvinists, the doctrine seems intangible and self-contradictory, filled with arbitrary qualifications to escape the obvious conclusion. Non-Calvinists are puzzled at making any sense of apparent inconsistencies between the theological consequences and their practical application. It is like Calvinists believe one thing and practice something totally contradictory. This confusion makes it difficult to present a comprehensive refutation.
On the one hand, it seems to be fatalistic, making everything fixed from the beginning, so much so that even God himself is locked into a sort of eternally frozen state with no possibility of change or flexibility, impinging upon His very sovereignty, rendering meaningless attempts to evangelize and His calls to men to change.
On the other, Calvinists in fact have been some of the most influential, evangelistic, and strongest advocates for the accountably of men to repent towards God. They have tirelessly worked to bring repentance. Long before Calvin, Augustine advocated various tenants of the doctrine. Not only Calvin but also Luther and other reformers who have held these teachings have made great contributions to the expansion of Christianity. Luther himself wrote a book, “Bondage of the Will,” in which he strongly argued the case against freewill.
Calvinism contains many excellent teachings. The problems are with the distortions and abuses that have been imposed. To these, and the truths of scripture that are drawn into conflict, there seems to be a shroud of blindness.
Because we must deal with arguments of many types of Calvinists, the most common defense is to claim distortion of their beliefs. We do not wish to charge anyone unjustly or to paint all Calvinists with the same broad brush but since it is impossible to refute the arguments in such a way that it is limited to the particular tenants held by each individual, we must present the teachings and implications as a whole, both of hyper-Calvinists and of the more common moderate forms. We must ask the reader to choose what is relevant to the individual situation and make the appropriate application.
SECTION I. TOTAL HEREDITARY DEPRAVITY
“The phrase ‘total depravity’ has respect only to relations to God and it means incapability of doing anything which, in the sight of God, is a good act.” –Systematic Theology, by A. H. Strong,[2]
“Total Depravity Of Man: We are totally corrupt and unable to respond to God in any way shape or form, unless God does the moving.” -Derickson’s Notes on Theology by Stanley L. Derickson[3]
“Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation.” --Westminster Confession, 9:3
This doctrine holds that through Adam’s sin, he and all of his descendents became totally depraved. Thus, from birth man is utterly devoid of any free will to choose to accept or reject salvation without a direct act of God upon his heart.
The problem we have with this is not that it holds man is depraved but that this is construed to mean he is so utterly depraved that he has lost all power to respond to God’s call to repentance without a special act of God upon His heart. Let us examine the case.
Sin entered the world through Adam and death passed upon all men (Rom. 5:12). We are Adam’s seed and thus in him all die (1Cor. 15:22). The fact that all die, including infants, who have done no evil (Rom. 9:11; Deut. 1:39; Isaiah 7:16), even those who have received forgiveness, shows that death is based on the sin of Adam, not on our own sins.
As regeneration does not immediately void the penalty of death, neither does the resurrection depend upon it. Through Christ’s sacrifice, all are to be raised (John 5:28-29; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 25:1-12), but all who are raised do not go into eternal life (Matt. 25:46).
Man is more than flesh. He also has a soul and spirit (1Thes. 5:23), which after the body dies, returns to God (Ecc. 12:7). The Spirit is not inherited. It is formed within a man (Zech. 12:1). Our outward man perishes but the inward man may be renewed (1Cor. 5:5; 2Cor. 4:16). Thus, we are born with the God-endowed power of choice and spiritually guilty only for sins committed through that choice. The fact of inherited depravity of the flesh does not automatically translate into total depravity of the soul.
Through Adam, man fell but it does not necessarily follow that the extent was that we are “unable to respond to God in any way shape or form, unless God does the moving.” God created all with the capability to respond to Him and provided His word and His Spirit to guide and enlighten. God has not removed the ability to respond. Upon this is based the opportunity and accountability of all men.
God created man with a conscience, the capacity to choose right from wrong, and provided sufficient evidence and help upon which to act.
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
This indicates that God has given sufficient evidence and has made man capable of understanding and accepting that evidence. If they did not have the knowledge or the capability of change there would be no justification for the wrath of God. That is the very reason why Paul argues that God manifested it to them.
· Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
ANSWER:
While in his flesh no good thing dwelt and he did not know how to perform, it plainly indicates he had the will to do good. That is not TOTAL depravity.
· Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
ANSWER:
This again is not total depravity. The mind can still serve God. The mind can appeal to God for a clear conscience (1Pet 3:21). Those who will to do God’s will shall know the teaching from God. (John 7:17)
· Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
ANSWER: Nothing here about being totally depraved so as to be unable to respond to God.
Luke 11:10-13 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
· Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
ANSWER; This indicates that one may choose to live by the Spirit.
· Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
ANSWER: The struggle between flesh and Spirit indicates depravity is not total.
· Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
ANSWER: This suggests they could choose through walking in the Spirit to overcome the flesh.
· Galatians 6:8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
ANSWER: This indicates a choice to do one or the other.
· Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
ANSWER: Carnal nature is at the root of the problem but this says nothing about them being totally depraved so as to be unable to respond to God.
· Gen. 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
ANSWER: This says nothing about them being totally depraved through Adam so as to be incapable of turning to God. This passage indicates they corrupted their own way.
· Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
ANSWER: This is not total depravity. The spirit is willing and the flesh was weak, therefore they needed to watch and pray.
· -Psalms 51:5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
ANSWER:
David indicated that sin was involved in his conception but this fails to prove total hereditary depravity.
· Psalm 58:3. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
ANSWER:
This teaches that the wicked begin early speaking lies but it fails to teach that everyone is totally depraved. Here “the wicked” is distinguished from “the righteous” (verse 10). Psalms makes many such comparisons.
· Psalm 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
· Rom. 3:10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
· Rom. 3:23. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.
ANSWER:
These passages refer to man’s depravity but do not teach that it is so great that they cannot turn to God.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
2Peter 3:9 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.
· Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,…
ANSWER:
This indicates that God gave them over to a reprobate mind because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge. See also 1:24 and 26. They were without excuse because they knew God and had chosen not to glorify him as God. Because of this their “foolish heart was darkened” (1:19-21).
Again, this does not indicate they were so depraved they could not choose to repent and turn to God through the Grace God has made available to all.
· Rom. 7:18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (cf. Gal. 5:17)
Paul is speaking of the struggle in the flesh. This does not conflict with freewill. Indeed, he says, “to will is present with me.” God helps those who have the will to do his will (John 7:17)
· Romans 8:7. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
ANSWER:
The carnal (fleshly) mind cannot be subject to the law of God but that does not preclude the freedom to choose to be baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3) and walk after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1).
Rom. 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
· 1Cor. 2: 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
ANSWER:
The context (1Cor. 1:17--2:16) is dealing with the difference between the wisdom of the world (1:20; 2:4, 5, 6), which comes from men, and the wisdom that comes from God (1:21, 24; 2:7) by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Men’s wisdom comes from the natural world, not the mind of God (2:11). God’s wisdom is revealed through the Spirit (2:10, 13) who searches the deep things of God.
Man by nature cannot receive revelation from the Spirit but that does not preclude him from accepting and living by the Spirit.
Romans 8:13-14 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
· Genesis 8:21. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
ANSWER:
Man’s heart is evil from his youth but this does not prove that he is incapable of any Good or to respond to God.
· Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
ANSWER:
Without God Men are blind prisoners to sin. However, through Grace, available to all men, God has given all men the opportunity to repent.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
· Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
ANSWER:
The deceitfulness of the human heart does not prevent them from choosing to have good and having honest hearts (Luke 8:15).
· Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
ANSWER:
“Ye would” indicates they were not so totally depraved that they could not make a choice. The previous verse expresses how that choice should be exercised.
Gal. 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
· Eph 2: 1 And you hath he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
ANSWER:
The fact that we were children of wrath does not teach that we are so totally depraved as to be incapable of any choice in accepting the grace of God.
· Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
ANSWER:
This does not indicate that all men are so depraved as to be incapable of any free choice.
Eph 4:19. They had “given themselves over to lasciviousness”
4:17. Paul tells them to not walk as the other Gentiles.
4:22. They were told to put off the old man.
4:24. They were to put on the new man
1. The fact that all men are invited to turn to God shows that they are not so depraved that they cannot respond to Him.
Acts 17:30 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Revelation 22:17 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
There are many such scriptures. Without the capacity to turn to God these are meaningless.
2. The Bible describes infants as pure and holy rather than "utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil"
Mt 18:1-3; 19:13-14. Jesus cited Infants as models.
1Cor. 14:20. Paul cited infants as models.
Rom. 7:9-11. Paul stated that he was once spiritually alive but then he sinned and died.
Ezek 28:15. The king of Tyrus was blameless in his ways from the day he was created, until unrighteousness was found in him.
Eccl 7:29. God made men upright but they sought devices. (Note: the plural is unlikely to refer only to Adam)
Deut 1:39. God allowed the children to enter Canaan because they had no knowledge of good and evil.
Rom. 9:11. Jacob and Esau, before they were born had done neither good nor evil.
Isa 7:15-16. There is a time when children do not know enough to refuse evil and choose good.
Jer 19:2-6. Human sacrifice of children to Baal is called the "blood of the innocent"
Isa 59:1-2. "Your sins have separated you from your God" It is only after people learn to know "good or evil" that they have “sins.”
SECTION II. UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION (Calvinistic “predestination”)
“Predestination” (or unconditional particular election, as it may be more exactly described), is the doctrine that:
“God has predestined and foreordained some men and angels out of His free grace and love without any foresight of faith in either of them, and others are foreordained to everlasting death and the number of either is so certain and definite that it cannot be increased or diminished.” –Westminster Confession of Faith, Art. 3, 4, 5; Chap. 3; Art. 2, Chap. 10.
Calvin expressed it:
“By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death.” –Institutes, 3:21:5
The Authorized Version (King James) of the Bible, influenced by the teachings of Calvin (who borrowed the fundamental concept from Augustine) uses the term, “predestinate.” Later versions commonly render this “foreordained” (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:5, 11). The following are words commonly associated with the doctrine, as translated in the King James Version.
PREDESTINATE: Greek “prōrizō” (#4309 –Strong) 7 occurrences; also translated, “determine before” (Acts 4:28), “ordain” (1Cor. 2:7). See Rom. 8:29, 30; Eph. 1:5, 11.
CHOSEN: Greek, “eklegomai” (#1586) 25 occurrences; cf. Mk. 13:20; Eph. 2:4 etc.
ELECT: Greek, “eklektos” (#1588) 24 occurrences; adjective; Matt. 20:26 (“chosen”); 22:14; 24:22, 24, 31; Rom. 8:33; 1Pet. 2:20; Rev. 27:24 (“chosen”), etc.
ELECTION: Greek , “eklogē” (#1589) 7 occurrences; cf. Rom. 9:11; 11:5, 7, 28; I Th. 1:4; 2Pet. 1:10, and in Acts 9:15 “chosen.”
Predestination is the very linchpin of Calvinism. In it are bound together the basic distortions of scripture in the doctrines of Total Depravity, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Eternal Security. If, before the beginning of the world, God predestinated who should be saved and who should be damned then Man can do nothing to save himself, atonement necessarily is limited to those God predestinated, Grace is indeed irresistible, and none of those who God predestinated can be lost.
1. It often assumes that if the future is not fixed then God could not know it from the beginning.
Isa. 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
This is a highly theoretical argument. The argument is that if God knows the future, the destiny of men must be fixed from the beginning, else change would be from what God knows to what He does not know. Calvinists like to pose this but in fact they are faced with the same problem. They want to only apply it in a limited way to the ultimate destiny of men. However, the argument, consistently applied, locks everything into a pre-programmed future in which free choice about anything is excluded. Thus, no matter what we do, whether good or evil, God designed it to happen. This is sometimes known as “hyper-Calvinism.” It is in fact, fatalism.
This view simply nullifies the overwhelming mass of scriptural teaching that calls for us to make decisions about right and wrong and responsibility for those choices. It turns the whole concept of God’s love and justice into a mechanistic farce.
2. It assumes that God’s sovereignty would be limited and diminished if He did not unconditionally elect those who will go to heaven or Hell.
ANSWER:
The fact that man is endowed with the power of choice in no way limits God’s sovereignty. Which is greater, to make a pre-programmed robot, too stupid to make a mistake, or to make man with freewill capable of choosing right from wrong? I submit, the latter. Are we to conclude that God is incapable of endowing man with power of free choice? Or, if we conclude that Adam had that capability, do we not concede that this did not impinge on God’s sovereignty?
Most Calvinists admit that man has limited capacity of choice. However, if freewill limits God’s sovereignty then even limited freedom of choice does also. If there is no freedom of choice then everything is unalterably fixed and the whole scheme of redemption and appeal to repentance becomes meaningless.
3. It assumes that the time of determining which individuals are among the “elect” or the damned, was before the foundation of the world.
ANSWER:
God foreknew that man would inevitably sin necessitating rescue of those who would repent. He planned in advance for a people to be conformed to the image of His son (Rom. 8:29). However, the Scriptures reveal that we have responsibility to choose and are accepted when we respond to the call of God.
Rev. 3:20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
4. It assumes that “elect” means the number “cannot be increased or diminished.”
ANSWER:
This contradicts the overwhelming mass of New Testament teaching that the Gospel opportunity is available to all and that those who depart from the faith* will be cut off. (*see Section V. on Perseverance)
Mat. 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 17:30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:
Matt. 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men
The assurance here is clearly that the grace of God is available to all. It certainly is not teaching universal salvation and it really makes no sense to make it mean that salvation for the chosen few is now revealed to all men.
2Peter 3:9 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.
5. It assumes that, in defining the “elect,” God could not, or did not, provide any conditions of acceptance or rejection freely available to all.
ANSWER: Our election and security is conditional, clearly indicating that responsibility is based on choice. God includes an “if” factor.
2 Peter 1:10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1 Corinthians 15:1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
Note: One who is “in the faith” may not continue in it. One who is “in the faith” may be “moved away from the hope of the gospel”
Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
John 8:30. As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Heb. 3:6. “Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
6. It turns any concept of the love and justice of God into a farce.
It would be a colossal injustice to intentionally create some men to be damned with no possibility of repenting and accepting Christ. Deliberately and knowingly causing the fall and corruption of man nullifies any credit for man’s restoration.
Calvinists commonly object that they do not believe this but many do and the system seems to inevitably reduce itself to this. If, before the foundation of the world God individually and unconditionally predestinated who would go to heaven and hell then that conclusion seems inescapable.
7. It vilifies God by making Him to blame for all wickedness.
If God created men to do evil, He is to blame for evil. Indeed, the evil He caused is even worse by reason of His having blamed and punished man who could not have done otherwise. If God creates all men with their futures fixed and man can only do what God creates him to do, then when men blaspheme God, God is blaspheming himself. If not, why not?
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man:
OBJECTION: God himself says he creates evil. Did he not create the devil and his angels?
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I Jehovah do all these things.
ANSWER: God does not create men to be evil. He creates evil against men who do evil.
Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. (cf. Jer. 6:19, 11:11, 23; 19:3, 15; 23:2, 12; 25:29 etc)
God did not create the devil wicked. The devil chose to do evil.
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains… (cf. 2Pet 2:4; Ezek 28:15)
Everything God created was “good.”
Gen. 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
8. Calvinism renders the sacrifice of Christ a meaningless and arbitrary act of futility.
It makes no sense that God would make men to be sinners and then sacrifice His son to save them. Only exercise of freewill to choose to do evil or accept Christ logically justifies the intervention of a savior.
9. It makes Christ die only for the elect, whereas he died for all men.
Tit. 2:11. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
2Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came unto all men unto justification of life.
Calvinists make no sense whatever of this and Universalism distorts it to mean that all must be saved. The fact is that it simply indicates that salvation is available to all. However, if one is unconditionally predestinated to hell it would not be available to him.
10. Predestination contradicts God’s clearly stated desire that all men be saved.
2Pet 3:9 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.
1Tim. 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
11. It makes prayer for forgiveness and for people to be saved meaningless since the destiny of all is fixed and those who are lost cannot be forgiven and saved.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
12. It makes scriptural warnings and exhortations meaningless since people are not free to choose.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
13. It assumes that we have no free choice in our salvation. (See Section VI concerning Bondage of the Will)
Westminster Confession, 9:3 — “Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation.
Calvinists hold that choice is limited to God’s enablement of the will, and some go to the extreme of maintaining that everything is unalterably fixed. Within these parameters, any concession of “choice” is misleading. If the will is “bound” so that one does not have the “ability of will to any spiritual good” then one really has no choice. Any profession of limited choice is a meaningless illusion conceded to escape the overwhelming force of evidence supporting man’s freedom and responsibility to choose.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
The attempt to circumvent this by claim of limited choice is nonsense. If someone chains a person’s leg to a post and sets his house on fire, it would be ludicrous to contend in court that he chose to burn to death. Where the will is not free to choose or reject the Gospel, there is no meaningful choice.
God provides Man with capacity and responsibility to freely make a choice in his “election.”
2Peter 1:10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Philippians 2:12. So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Acts 2:40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 17:30-31. “And the times of ignorance God winked at but now he Commands all men everywhere to repent... he has given assurance unto all men…”
Calvin’s attempt to explain the irreconcilable inconsistencies makes no sense whatever.
“Their perdition depends on the divine predestination in such a manner that the cause and matter of it are found in themselves. For the first man fell because the Lord had determined it should so happen. The reason of this determination is unknown to us. Man, therefore, falls according to the appointment of Divine Providence, but he falls by his own fault. The Lord had a little before pronounced every thing that he had made to be ‘very good.’[4] (McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, “Calvinism”)
Tit. 2:11. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
1Tim. 2:4. God would have all men to be saved.
2Pet. 3:9. “The Lord is…Not willing that any should perish”
John 12:32. “I will draw all men unto me”
Like a magnet, Jesus reaches out to attract all though many resist and do not come.
John 3:16-17 “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son that Whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him should be saved...”
Rom. 5:18 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.
It is false to claim this indicates unconditional universal salvation since all men have not been justified. It indicates the opportunity to be justified came to all men.
Rom. 11:32. For God hath concluded them [the Jews] all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Acts 10:34. …God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Acts 17:30. All men everywhere are commanded to repent.
Rev. 22:17. Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Note: See also SECTION V. on Evidence against unconditional eternal security. If the saved can depart from God and be lost unconditional particular election is false.
· Ephesians 1:4, 5, 11.
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
ANSWER:
The passage speaks of “us,” a class, or group, rather than of creating individuals wicked to be sent to an eternal burning hell. It says nothing about us being individually irresistibly predestinated to heaven or hell. It speaks of being foreordained to be adopted. Eph 1:1 speaks “to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” This was based on his foreknowledge and in no way excludes conditions of a good and honest heart as a basis for being accepted.
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:
ANSWER:
Again, this is speaking collectively. Based on His foreknowledge God chose a people. They were called “through the Gospel” (2:14 cf. Rom. 10:17). They were chosen from the many who are called (Matt. 20:16; 22:14). Those who respond to the call are chosen, so long as they continue in the faith (Col 1:23). Rom. 11 indicates the number was not fixed. Some were cut out and others grafted in, and even those grafted in could be again removed.
· Matthew 24:24. “For there shall arise, false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch, that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
ANSWER:
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
· Acts 13:48. “...as many as were ordained [5021 tasso] to eternal life believed.”
ANSWER: Better, “As many as were disposed to eternal life believed.”
(cf. 1Cor. 16:15 they have set themselves [5021 tassō middle or passive voice] to minister unto the saints)
They had good and honest hearts so they heard the word and kept it (Luke 8:15)
cf. Acts Made Actual by Don DeWelt, p.183; Acts by J.W. McGarvey; Commentary on Acts by Reese,; Commentary on Acts by Alexander Campbell
· Romans 8:28-30.
“...to them that are called according to his purpose. For whom He foreknew, he also foreordained [predestinated –AV] to be conformed to the image of his Son...and whom he foreordained ...he called ...justified ...glorified.”
ANSWER:
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary points out: “The pronoun whom is plural, not singular. Paul is thinking of a group here-composed of individuals to be sure-but nevertheless a group of individuals who constitute a corporate whole.”
This is speaking of a CLASS of people and not necessarily particular individuals. It does not teach that God created certain men to be wicked. Nor does it rule out conditions (an honest heart). God foreknew that some would have honest hearts and those he foreknew he foreordained to be conformed to the image of His son. We are called through preaching of the gospel (2Thes. 2:14; Rom. 10:17). Compare Eph. 1:3-14.
Choosing on the basis of His foreknowledge is not the same as God creating some unconditionally predestinated to hell.
OBJECTION: So, what about Judas? If he had free choice then would that not have jeopardized the fulfillment of the prophecy?
ANSWER:
Not at all. Nowhere does it say that God made Judas evil. Through His foreknowledge he chose Judas, knowing he was evil and would betray him. (John 6:70-71)
God knows the future from the beginning, (Isa. 46:10; 48:3) but that does not indicate God predestinated certain individuals to damnation through no fault of their own.
· Romans 9:11-13.
“...for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth...Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
ANSWER:
Construing this to teach predestination to heaven or hell does not fit the context. This is speaking of Jacob’s being chosen over Esau to inherit the promises—not salvation. This is not saying that Esau was damned but is showing God's right to choose one or the other to execute His plan without regard to considerations of seniority or works. God provided a land for Esau right alongside that of Jacob.
The context, which involves chapters 9, 10 and 11 (And indeed the whole book) relates to the objection of the Jews against acceptance of the Gentiles. God's word was not nullified by acceptance of the Gentiles (9:6). Neither the Jews’ relationship to Abraham (9:7) nor their work for God (9:11) entitled them to exclusive recognition. It was God's will that decided who He would choose, what terms He would set and what roles they would play in His plan. He had the right to show mercy to whoever he pleased (9:18, 22). Thus, He showed mercy to the “vesels of mercy” from both Gentiles and Jews.
This did not preclude conditions. He had already laid those down in the first half of Romans and they are again repeated in chapters ten and eleven. Chapter eleven, flatly contradicts any claim that the number of saved is unalterably fixed so that branches in the olive tree could not be removed or branches from a wild olive grafted in. Indeed, even those grafted in could be cut out (11:15-24).
· Rom. 9:15-18.
“I will have mercy upon whom I have mercy,...so then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy... Pharaoh...raised up. ...whom he will he hardeneth.”
ANSWER:
Again, this is dealing with God's right to extend his promise to whoever He wills. The fact that God has the right to do as He chooses does not prevent Him from giving men freewill and establishing conditions with which they can and must comply.
God, in his foreknowledge, chose Pharaoh and elevated him to the throne so that He could demonstrate His greatness. This does not indicate that Pharaoh was created wicked for the purpose of sending him to be tormented eternally in hell. Potentially, he could have repented and been saved.
· Rom. 9:20-24.
Hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? ...vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction... vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory..
ANSWER:
Paul uses the analogy of the potter who, having the right to make some vessels for honor and others fitted for destruction, also has the right to be longsuffering to whom he wills (9:22).
God created both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews viewed the Gentiles as “fitted for destruction.” Paul shows that God, as the creator, has the right to also show mercy on them.
Romans 9:25-26 25 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
This affirms exactly the opposite of unalterably fixed destiny. Here, those who are not his people are accepted as His people.
· Romans 11:2. God did not cast off His people which He foreknew.
11:5. There remains ...a remnant according to the election of grace.
11:7 …but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
11:8 …as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor...
11:28 …As touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake.
11:29 …For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.
ANSWER:
None of these preclude conditions nor indicate their destiny was unalterably fixed. On the contrary, the context establishes that God is not inflexibly bound to any select group of individuals. The very fact that He can cut out natural branches and graft branches in from a wild olive--and even cut out the branches which he grafted in if they get “highminded”-- clearly shows there are conditions and the number is not unalterably fixed. Indeed, in 10:1 Paul prays for their salvation, and in 11:32. God wants mercy on all.
· Rev. 17:8. …names are written in the book of life from the foundation of the world
ANSWER: Names may be blotted out of the book of life.
Exodus 32:33 33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Rev. 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
Rev. 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
(Cf. Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19; Phil. 4:3; Psalms 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20)
D. THE FACT THAT SOME FALL FROM GRACE SHOWS THAT DESTINY IS NOT FIXED
Scriptures that indicate Christians can fall away and be lost indicate that destiny is not unalterably fixed.
Galatians 5:4 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(see Section V. Perseverance of the Saints )
E. CHRIST’S DEATH FOR ALL INDICATES DESTINY IS NOT FIXED
Scriptures that show that Christ died for all shows that the opportunity for salvation was not limited to a predestinated number (see Section III. Limited Atonement).
1Tim. 2:5-6 He “gave himself a ransom for all”
Rom. 5:18. “One man died for all.”
2Cor. 5:14. “one died for all”…
Tit. 2:11. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
1John 2:2. “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.”
1Tim. 4:10. “...the savior of all men
Heb. 2:9. he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
F. THAT GOD CHANGES HIS MIND INDICATES DESTINY IS NOT FIXED
The claim that God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge requires that the future is unalterably fixed is complicated by the many scriptures that indicate He changes His mind. Indeed, this is the very basis of prayer, without which it would be a meaningless exercise.
NOAH
Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
MOSES
At Mount Sinai the Israelites made an idol to worship. God decided to destroy them. Moses plead with God to change His mind, which He did.
Ex. 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with grea.t power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
SAMUEL
1Sam 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.
35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
2 Samuel 24:16; 1Chr 21:15. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand.
JEREMIAH
Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
Jeremiah 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
JONAH
Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
God’s change was conditioned upon their decision to repent.
CALVINIST OBJECTIONS:
This conflicts with other scriptures which say that God does not repent.
Num 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
1Sam 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
Malachi 3:6 For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
These scriptures have reference to the promises of God. He keeps his promises.
It also poses the problem of why God would appeal to men and warn them, going through the meaningless process of making them do wrong and then making them do right when they could not have done otherwise.
That God changes his mind serves to even more magnify one’s appreciation of His greatness. It is reassuring to know that He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. (Heb. 4:15)
SECTION III. LIMITED ATONEMENT (Christ died only for the elect.)
ANSWER: Christ died for all men.
1Tim. 2:5-6 He “gave himself a ransom for all”
Rom. 5:18. “One man died for all.”
2Cor. 5:14. “one died for all”…
Tit. 2:11. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
2Pet. 2:1. “Denying the Lord that bought them.”
1John 2:2. “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.”
1Tim. 4:10. “...the savior of all men
Acts 17:30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Heb. 2:9. he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Note: Universalism attempts to use these passages to prove that no one will be lost. Neither extreme is true. The ditch is just as deep on one side of the road as the other. The above can only mean that everyone has the opportunity for salvation.
SECTION IV. IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
“Irresistible grace: The grace that God extends cannot be rejected. The person must turn to God. There is a call to all to be saved which can be, and is often rejected, however for the elect there is an inner calling which cannot be resisted.” – Derickson’s Notes
“Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation.” --Westminster Confession, 9:3
Calvinists sometimes state that people have “limited” power of choice. This is misleading. If the will is “bound” so that one does not have the “ability of will to any spiritual good” then one really has no meaningful choice in the matter. Without freedom of the will any claim of “choice” is nonsense.
If “choice” is so limited that it cannot respond to God then it is not relevant to the essential issue – that salvation is available to all.
A. MEN CAN RESIST THE GRACE OF GOD.
Gal. 2:21. One can “nullify” the grace of God.
2Cor. 6:1. Grace can be “received in vain”
Heb. 10:29. A person can do “despite unto the spirit of grace.”
(cf. 10:19-39 which shows one can fall from grace.)
Gal. 5:4. “Ye are severed from Christ, ye are fallen from grace.”
Note: They were “brethren” (4:31; 5:11, 13)
Note also Gal. 4:6-9 that they were sons and had received the Holy Spirit, yet they could “turn back”
Acts 7:51. A person can resist the Holy Spirit.
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7 Man can harden his heart and thus “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12) and not enter into God’s rest (Heb. 3:11; 4:3, 5).
· Matt. 11:27.
“...Neither does any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son wills to reveal him.”
ANSWER:
This does not indicate there are no conditions free to all or that we are irresistibly predestinated.
Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
· John 3:8. “...the wind blows where it wills...so is he that is born of the Spirit.”
ANSWER:
No man knows where it comes or goes. That does not preclude conditions available to all or indicate it is irresistible.
· John 5:21. “The Son gives life to whom he will”.
ANSWER: This does not preclude conditions available to all or indicate it is irresistible.
2Pet. 3:9 The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
· 1Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
ANSWER: The increase however, depends on the kind of soil into which the seed falls (Luke 8:11-15). God gives the increase to those with good and honest hearts (Luke 8:15).
· Philippians. 2:13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
ANSWER:
Rom. 10:17. Faith comes by hearing…the word of God. We are called through the Gospel (2Thes. 2:14). Romans 1:16 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth
The fact that God works in us does not rule out the condition that we must have good and honest hearts, listen to the word and respond.
· Ezek. 36:26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
ANSWER:
This does not preclude conditions. A person who’s heart is waxed gross, may therefore not be given a new heart (Matt. 13:15). Man can harden his heart (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7) and thus “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12) and not enter into God’s rest (Heb. 3:11; 4:3, 5).
· John 6:37. “ALL that the Father gives me shall come...”
ANSWER:
The father gives those who have good and honest hearts. (Luke 8:15) The Father sets the conditions (being believers -John 6:29, 35, 40). Christ will not cast out one who is faithful, but if that one departs (Heb. 3:12), he is no longer with him and therefore does not meet the conditions for protection.
· John 6:39.
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”
ANSWER:
Those “given” are those who “see” and believe. (John 6:40) No, God is not going to send faithful believers to hell. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Pet. 3:9) However, some refuse to accept and others “...shrink back unto destruction” (Heb. 10:39, cf. I Tim. 1:19; 5:8; Heb. 3:12).
· John 6:44.
“No man can come to me, except the Father...draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.”
ANSWER:
John 12:32. “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.”
Obviously, all who are “drawn” will not accept and be saved—else we have universal salvation. We are drawn by God’s word (Rom. 10:17) but we must believe and call on the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:9-10).
Matt. 20:16; 22:14. “Many are called but
few are chosen.”
· John 6:65. “No man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father.”
ANSWER:
The Father gives the opportunity. He gives the conditions. He gives the word through which faith comes. We must hear that word and exercise the will to do His will. (John 1:12; 7:17 John 6:45; Rom. 10:17). We can only come to Christ upon the Father's terms.
· John 8:47. “He that is of God hears the word of God.”
ANSWER: Being “of God” depends on having a good and honest heart towards God. That does not indicate that they cannot choose to be of God.
Revelation 3:20 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
· John 10:26-27 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
People must be sheep before they can believe.
ANSWER:
Note that verse 38 Jesus appeals to them to believe. Such an appeal makes no sense if they had no free will capable of choosing to believe.
According to John 10:28, one must be a “sheep” in order to receive eternal life, therefore “sheep” does not mean the person is already saved.
What is meant by “sheep” and what makes one a “sheep”?
Adam Clark, in his commentary, says: John 10:26 Ye have not the disposition of those who come unto me to be instructed and saved.
They had not met the condition of having a “good and honest heart” (Luke 8:15). One must hear and believe the word (cf. Rom. 10:17). They were unwilling to hear his voice and therefore did not have the heart of his “sheep.”
Psalms 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
· John 15:16. “I have chosen you, not you me”
ANSWER:
This is speaking of choosing the apostles who he “ordained,” not salvation. “Chosen” here does not indicate salvation else Judas was saved and the whole theory of “Once in grace always in grace” collapses.
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
Obviously this does not mean they were all saved. After being “chosen” did Judas fall from grace? -Huge problem for Calvinism which denies that the “chosen” can be lost.
· John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you
ANSWER
Again, this includes Judas. Nothing in this precludes conditions nor indicates that none of them would be lost. Judas fell and was lost.
Acts 1:25 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
· Acts 2:39. “To as many as the Lord shall call”
ANSWER: The “call” is through the gospel. (2Thes. 2:24; Rom. 10:17)
Matt. 20:16. Many are called but few are chosen.
· Acts 18:10. “I have many people in this city”
ANSWER: God knew many of them had good and honest hearts that would respond to the preaching (Luke 8:15).
· Acts 16:14. “Whose heart the lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.”
ANSWER: She already worshipped God. Her heart was opened to give heed by the Lord through hearing the word spoken by Paul (16:13).
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
· 1Peter 2:8. “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
ANSWER:
Because they were disobedient they were appointed to stumble at the word.
· Rom. 12:3. “...as God has dealt to each man a measure of faith.”
ANSWER:
Faith is given by God through hearing the word (Rom. 10:17) but that doesn’t make it irresistible. People can shut their ears to the word.
Matthew 13:15 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
· 1Cor. 12:9. “...to another (the gift of ) faith...”
ANSWER: This is the miraculous faith that could move mountains (13:1). Ordinary faith comes through hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17)
· Gal. 5:22. “...but the fruit of the Spirit is...faith...”
ANSWER:
The Spirit provides faith through hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17)
· Eph. 2:8. “for by grace have ye been saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God...”
ANSWER:
Note: The Greek reveals “faith” to be feminine while “that” is neuter. Therefore, “that” cannot be referring to “faith” as the gift. In this passage, salvation is the understood gift.
· Acts 18:27. “Them that had believed through grace”
ANSWER:
Rom. 10:17 Faith comes by hearing the word.
Romans 1:16 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.
One must have a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15). God does not make men's hearts wicked, although He may harden a wicked heart.
C. MAN HAS RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER OF CHOICE IN HIS ELECTION.
2Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 17:30-31. “And the times of ignorance God winked at but now he Commands All men everywhere to repent... he has given assurance unto all men…”
Luke 8:15. “These are such as have a good and honest heart...hearing, believe...”
Note that the “seed” was the word which depended on the kind of soil for germination.
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
Josh 24:15 Choose ye this day whom you will serve
John 7:17 If any man wills to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Matt. 25:1-13. The five foolish virgins could have filled their vessels earlier.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Acts 2:41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 8: 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Note: It is meaningless to command someone to repent if the will is bound.
Acts 11:21-23. …exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (This is meaningless unless they could freely make a choice to do so)
Rom. 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Acts 13:43 Paul and Barnabas “persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”
Acts 14:21, 22 …exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, IF thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
1Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Col. 2:8 Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
1Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.
Note: This suggests that the same thing could happen to them as happened to Eve. If Eve had freewill and fell then they must also have had freewill to endanger them to fall.
Rom. 6:11-23
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:13 neither present your members unto sin (as) instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members (as) instruments of righteousness unto God….
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members (as) servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members (as) servants to righteousness unto sanctification. 20 For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free in regard of righteousness. 21 What fruit then had ye at that time in the things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Note: It is nonsense to tell them not to let sin reign in their bodies because the wages of sin is death if in fact they had no power to do anything that would bring death upon them.
1Pet. 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit …
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2Thes. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him,”
Rev. 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
Rev. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (cf. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:12)
Rev. 21:7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Note: Many of the above evidences against unconditional election and that grace is not irresistible apply equally to this.
· “Once a person is a child of God, how could he be unborn?”
ANSWER: Luke 3:38 says Adam was the son of God and yet he fell and died. (Compare James 5:19-20; Rev. 3:5; 20:15; 1Tim. 5:6)
· John 6:39 “It is God's will that Jesus should lose nothing?”
ANSWER: Yes, and it is also his will that “all” should come to eternal life. However, by our response, we cast the deciding vote. (cf. 2Pet. 3:9; John 7:17; 2Pet. 1:9-10)
· John 10:27-29 “no one can snatch them out of His hand?”
ANSWER: No one can “snatch” us out of his hand. We are His sheep because we have His nature. So long as we remain in the faith, we are absolutely secure. However, one can depart from the faith and be lost (1Tim. 4:1; 1:19; 5:8). God promises never to leave us—not that we will never leave him.
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7. Man can harden his heart and “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).
Psalms 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
1 Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
· 1 John 3:6 “anyone who sins has not seen him.”
ANSWER: This is in the Greek perfect tense, which indicates continuing action --“does not continue seeing him, neither continues knowing him.”
· Heb. 13:5. God said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
ANSWER:
God will not forsake us if we remain faithful but we may depart from Him.
1Tim. 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God
· “Those who believe already HAVE everlasting life.”
John 3:36 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 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life
John 6:54. “He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood hath eternal life.”
ANSWER:
John 6:47 --Shows “eats” and “drinks” means to believe. All those who have a living faith (James 2:14-26) have eternal life. They have it only in hope, not as an accomplished fact.
Titus 1:2; 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Rom. 8:24 For we are saved in hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Everlasting life is conditioned upon the person believing on Jesus. If they abandon the faith they no longer meet the condition.
1Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
· “Nothing can separate us from Jesus”
Rom. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ANSWER:
None of those things can separate us but we may choose to depart.
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God
We are saved on condition that we continue in the faith (Col. 1:22-23).
It is possible to “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1).
Some made “shipwreck of the faith” (1Tim. 1:19)
It is possible to deny the faith and become worse than an infedel (1Tim. 5:8)
God’s righteous one can shrink back.
Heb. 10:37-39. My righteous one shall live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7. Man can harden his heart and “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).
Anyone who ceases to continue in the faith does not meet the conditions for having eternal life. No matter how people argue, it is simply not true that a person who apostatizes from the faith continues to have eternal life.
Of course, the old “out” is to claim that if a person falls away they never did have saving faith. That serves well as an escape tactic but it does not cover the theological absurdities of the system.
Gal. 5:1-4 Stand fast. Christ has made us free, and be not again entangled.
Christ will profit you nothing...severed from Christ...fallen from grace.
We are saved on condition that we continue in the faith (Col. 1:22-23). It is possible to deny the faith (1Tim. 5:8), “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1), and make “shipwreck of the faith” (1Tim. 1:19)
2Pet. 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
Note: One who has been “reconciled” and is “in the faith” might not continue in it and may be “moved away from the hope of the gospel”
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7. Man can harden his heart and “depart from the living God”
Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Rom. 11:15-28. Some of the natural branches of the olive tree were cut out and branches from a wild olive were grafted in. Those grafted in were warned that they needed to fear lest they should also be cut out.
(Note: This context continues from Romans 9, a favorite passage of Calvinists)
John 15:1-6 “Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away...and they are burned.” (cf. Rom. 11 and Heb. 6:8)
Matt. 13:4-8. Jesus likened the word of God sown in the heart to four kinds of soil. Three of these generated life. The seed in the stony ground and among thorns grew but ultimately brought forth no fruit.
In the parable of the tares the harvest is the end of the world (Mat. 13:39, 49) at which time only the good fruit will be saved. That which did not bring forth good fruit was burned (verse 40), the same as in John 15:1-6, above.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Acts 11:21-23. …exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (This is meaningless unless they might depart)
1 Peter 5:8 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (Christians can be devoured by Satan)
Heb. 10:26-39. Fierceness of fire shall devour those who, after they have been sanctified by the blood of the covenant, sin willfully. … The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Heb. 10:37-39. My righteous one shall live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.
…Shrink back unto destruction is contrasted with faith to saving of the soul.
Heb. 6:4-8. Once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted of the good work of God, and the powers of the age to come, if they shall fall away…end is to be burned.
“enlightened” (Eph. 1:17-18; Heb. 10:32)
“tasted” (Heb. 2:9; Acts 20:11)
“Gift” (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 6:23; Acts 2:38)
“partakers” (Heb. 3:1, 14)
“Holy Spirit” (1Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13-14)
“Fall away” (Heb. 3:12; 1Tim. 4:1; Gal. 5:4; 1Cor. 10:12; Rom. 11:12)
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7. Man can harden his heart and “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).
1Cor. 8:11 The weak brother can “perish.”
1Cor. 9:24. Paul said, I buffet my body...lest I myself should be rejected...
1Cor. 10:1-12. Our fathers were baptized...drank of… Christ...but were overthrown... These things were written for out example... Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
Ex. 14:30 says they were “saved that day out of the hands of the Egyptians” – a type of our salvation in Christ (cf. Ex. 14:13), yet they fell in the wilderness.
1Cor. 10:6, 11 “these things were written for our example.”
Jude 1:5. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
(Note: Ex. 14:30 says they were “saved” out of Egypt.
Heb. 11:29 says that “by faith they passed through the Red Sea.”)
This was clearly a warning that they could lose faith and be destroyed.
Matt. 25:1-13. The five foolish virgins who had been chosen to attend the wedding were rejected because they had not filled their lamps.
Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-46. If the good servant starts beating his fellows he will be appointed a part with the unbelievers.
Matt. 25:14-30. The servant who buried his talents was cast out.
James 5:19-20 “My brethren if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him...save a soul from death...”
2Pet. 2:1.
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be
false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies. They
will even deny the Master who bought them--bringing swift destruction
on themselves."
2Pet. 2:20-22. If, after they have escaped...they are again entangled...the last state is worse than the first... (cf. 2:14-15; 1:9-11; Matt. 12:43-45)
Ezek. 18:24 None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered...” (also Ezek. 33:13)
Rev. 3:5 Names may be blotted out of the book of life. (cf. Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19; Phil. 4:3; Ex. 32:32-33; Psalms 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20)
Rev. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. (“crown of life” cf. Rev. 2:10; James 1:12)
Rev. 3:16 Jesus said to the church at Laodicea, So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Rev. 2:26 He that overcomes and keeps Christ's words unto the end shall be saved
(cf. Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:5; 3:15-16; 2:7, 10-11)
Rev. 2: 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
2Pet. 1:8-11 “Forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. … Make your election sure.”
Note: Even though they had been cleansed from their old sins their election was not yet sure. (Also see Rom. 8:12-13; 1Cor. 15:1-2 “IF”)
Luke 8:13 “Those who believe and in time of temptation fall away.”
Acts 8: 12-24.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, …20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, …22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Matt. 5:13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
PART VI. BONDAGE OF THE WILL
Westminster Confession, 9:3 — “Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation. As a natural man, being altogether averse from that good and dead in sin, he is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto.” cited by Hopkins, Works, 1:233
Bondage of the will is an underlying essential in the scheme of Calvin.
Total Heredity Depravity cannot be true if man can choose right from wrong.
Unconditional Particular Election cannot be true if man has freewill to choose to good or evil.
Limited Atonement cannot be limited if all have freedom to choose to be saved.
Irresistible Grace cannot be irresistible if we have freewill to choose to reject it.
Perseverance of the elect cannot be true if the elect are capable of falling away from Grace.
Thus, the evidence given above against each of these conclusions shows that the will is not bound so as to be incapable of doing any spiritual good accompanying salvation. On the contrary, the overwhelming evidence from scripture is that all men have been created by God with the capacity to choose to do good or evil. The fall did not remove that.
In fact, the Scriptures plainly teach that man has freewill.
The Law of Moses had a sacrifice specifically called a “freewill offering.” (Lev. 22:18 etc) With no freewill there could be no freewill offering.
Man can harden his heart (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7) and thus “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12) and not enter into God’s rest (Heb. 3:11; 4:3, 5).
However, when the evidence is set forth that God has created man with freewill, Calvinists counter by claiming that they do not deny limited freedom of the will.
“Let us repeat that the denial to man of all ability, whether natural or moral, to turn himself to God or to do that which is truly good in God’s sight does not imply a denial of man’s power to order his external life in many particulars conformably to moral rules or even to attain the praise of men for virtue. Man has still a range of freedom in acting out his nature and he may to a certain limited extent act down upon that nature, and modify it by isolated volition externally conformed to God’s law. He may choose higher or lower forms of selfish action and may pursue these chosen courses with various degrees of selfish energy. Freedom of choice, within this limit, is by no means incompatible with complete bondage of the will in spiritual things. –Strong’s Systematic Theology Vol. 2, Part 5, Chap 3, Section 6, I Depravity D, Paragraph 3
By conceding limited freedom of the will they attempt to account for the overwhelming scriptural evidence that man does have the power and responsibility of choice. While conceding limited power of choice, they then insist that man is “…unable to respond to God in any way shape or form.” According to this view, man’s capacity to choose is limited to “selfish action.” This, of course, is pure double-talk to extricate themselves from their theological absurdity. If man is capable of choosing right from wrong and God is not willing that any should perish, all men are endowed with the capability to choose to accept Christ. It is absurd to admit that God has given man the capacity to choose but he cannot choose to accept Christ. There is scripturally no such distinction.
A. UNSAVED MEN CAN EXERCISE FREEWILL
Deuteronomy 30:19 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Joshua 24:15 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7 Man can harden his heart and thus “depart from the living God” (Heb. 3:12) and not enter into God’s rest (Heb. 3:11; 4:3, 5).
Rom. 2:14-16. Gentiles may do by nature the good things of the law.
Rom. 11:14. Cornelius, though unsaved, was devout, feared God and righteous (Acts 10:1-4, 22).
Exodus 32:3133. God rejected Moses’ request that his name be blotted out of God’s book for the sins of the people.
Ex. 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Isa. 59:1-2, "Your sins [not Adam’s] have separated you from your God"
Matt. 12:36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Rom. 2:5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 who will render to every man according to his works:
2Cor. 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1Peter 1:17 And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:
Heb. 5:9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Rom. 6:16. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
1Pet. 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
2Thes. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Luke 13:3. "Unless you repent you will…perish"
Acts 2:38. "Repent and be baptized every one of you… for forgiveness of your sins…"
Acts 2:40. "Save yourselves"
Phil’p. 2:12. "Work out your own salvation…"
Rom. 10:9-10, 17. We are saved through faith which comes by hearing God’s word.
Rom. 1:16; 1Cor. 1:18. The gospel message is God's power for salvation.
1John. 1:6; 2:1-6. “He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments is a liar.”
This suggests that one can make such a decision and is therefore accountable.
C. SCRIPTURES CITED TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM THAT MAN HAS NO FREEWILL
· John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
ANSWER:
This says nothing about man’s will being “bound.” Rather, the right to become children of God is conditioned upon whether we “received him” and “believe on his name.” That is an act of free choice. “Born, … of blood, … the will of the flesh, … the will of man” refers to physical birth. The spiritual birth is of God but that does not rule out the conditions of receiving him and believing on his name.
John 7:17 If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.
Revelation 22:17 …And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
A spiritual birth is not of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man. God conceived it and it takes place in His mind. However, he has conditioned it upon the exercise of our will to do His will (John 7:17). We must have a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15) and open the door to him (Rev. 3:20; 22:17).
· James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
ANSWER:
Yes, God begat us of his own will with the word of truth. He provided the word which we must hear and believe.
Rom. 10:17 Faith comes by hearing the word of God
Rom, 1:16 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth
This does not exclude the necessity of us choosing to accept it.
· Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
ANSWER:
God works in us. This does not rule out free choice to accept or reject His will.
· John 3:5 — “Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
ANSWER:
Born of the water and Spirit does not exclude freewill. God created men with the capacity to accept or reject (Rev. 22:17; Mark 7:9)
· John 6:44 — “No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him”
ANSWER:
God draws all men. This does not exclude freewill to accept or resist the Holy Spirit.
John 12:32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
· John 8:34 — “Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin”;
ANSWER:
Sin makes people bondservants but does not preclude freewill to accept or reject Christ’s offer of freedom.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
· John 15:4, 5 — “the branch cannot bear fruit of itself…apart from me ye can do nothing”
ANSWER:
Apart from Christ we cannot bear fruit but this does not preclude freewill to accept him or depart.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
· Romans 7:18 — “in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not”
ANSWER:
This does not deny freewill. Paul had the will to do God’s will but his strength to obey was inadequate. If man has a good and honest heart, the word, planted in that heart, will take root and grow. (John 7:17; Luke 8:15)
· Romans 7:24 — “Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?”
ANSWER:
This does not preclude freewill. We must yield ourselves to God to become free.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
· Rom. 8:7, 2 — “the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God”;
ANSWER:
We can choose through the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body.
Rom. 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
· 1Corinthians 2:14 — “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged”
ANSWER:
1Corinthians, chapters 1&2, are speaking of how man can know the wisdom of God. This passage shows that it comes through revelation by God’s Spirit, not through the flesh (compare 2Pet 1:20-21). This does not preclude the freedom to seek God.
· 2Corinthians 3:5 — “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to account anything as from ourselves”
ANSWER:
All things are of God but God gave us the capacity and responsibility to choose right from wrong.
· Ephesians 2:1 — “dead through your trespasses and sins”;
ANSWER:
Spiritual death does not preclude the fact that God has provided to all the capacity to choose life.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
· Ephesians 8:10 — “by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works”;
Hebrews 11:6 — “without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him.”
ANSWER:
The Greek in Eph 8:10 indicates the “gift” is salvation, not faith. In any case, that does not exclude freewill to accept or reject Christ.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
· Romans 2:14 — “when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith.”
ANSWER:
This does not preclude freewill. They “by nature” have the ability to do the things of the Law.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
According to most Calvinists, Adam was created with freewill. Because of his sin, freewill ceased. The problem with this claim is that if he was predestinated to sin he could not have chosen to do otherwise and even before the fall really did not have freedom of choice in the matter.
Furthermore, throughout the scriptures God dealt with men just like He did with Adam, giving warnings and calling for them to make choices of right and wrong. If man had freewill before the fall and did not afterwards, one would expect a difference.
Since the devil and his angels (2Pet. 2:4), did not inherit the sin of Adam, they must have independently had freewill. (2Cor. 11:3) Were they also “predestined”?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Messages on the doctrine of Calvinism,
Presented April 11, 1861 at Spurgeon’s opening of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London:
Total depravity — “Human Depravity,” by Evan Probert (message 2).
Unconditional Election — “Election”, by John Bloomfield (message 1).
Limited Atonement — “Particular Redemption,” by J. A. Spurgeon (message 3).
Irresistible Grace — “Effectual Calling,” by James Smith (message 4).
Perseverance Of The Saints — “The final Perseverance of Believers in Christ Jesus,” by William O’Neill (message 5).
[1] See Elect in The Son --Robert Shank p. 223
[2] Systematic Theology, by Augustus Hopkins Strong, D.D., LL D. Vol 2, Part 5, Chap. 3, Section 6, I. Depravity, 1. Partial or Total?, A, (d), (d), Rochester Theological Seminary, 1906
[3] Derickson’s Notes on Theology, Copyright 1992 Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
[4] McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, “Calvinism”