Objections to Calvinism
Author: Steve Amato
Description: How did Jesus atone for sin?
Keywords: bible study,Jesus, crucifixion, atonement, ransom, propitiation

My Objections to Calvinism
REGARDING UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
1. Calvinism doesn't believe in salvation by faith. They believe in salvation by election. And their claim is that "election" occurs prior to one's birth. Thus for the Calvinist, the elect are never not saved. Even prior to coming to faith they are never in danger of eternal condemnation. This contrary to the rhetoric of the Epistles, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." Eph 2:1-3 and "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" Eph 2:8
The Calvinist proposition also goes along with traditional Calvinist's stand on infant baptism, baptizing those who have yet to come to faith in Christ as if the New Covenant applies to them simply because of their biological relationship. Their view of election is also inconsistent with the rhetoric the apostles used, as for example to the Philippian jailor who asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul didn't reply, "If you're elect you're already saved", but rather said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Acts 16:30,31 Showing that one's salvation is not conditioned upon some hypothetical unconditional "elect" status, but rather it is conditioned upon faith. A multitude of such verses support this view.
REGARDING TOTAL DEPRAVITY
2. Calvinism believes in "total depravity", which by the Calvinist definition includes the inability to refrain from evil. And yet, contrary to the concept of "justice", they hold that God hold's people accountable for things over which they have no control. And not only with respect to behavior, but they also hold the prejudicial concept of imputed sin whereby people are reckoned guilty of the sins of their ancestors. While the Scriptures declare that God is just, the Calvinist worship a different god, an unjust god.
REGARDING THE CALVINIST VIEW OF "SOVEREIGNTY"
3. The god of Calvinism is viewed as incapable of creating free will creatures. He is limited to creating mere puppets. Thus I often refer to Calvinistic theology as a puppet theology. Their god's sovereignty incorporates controlling every particular thing. That being the case, their god controls people's behavior. When people sin, which the Calvinists admit is not under their control, it is their god who is sinning, and yet condemns his puppets. Apparently their god, playing with his puppets, pretends his puppets sin, while in fact he knows that he is the one doing so as the puppet master.
REGARDING THE CALVINIST VIEW OF THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE ATONEMENT
4. Calvinist view Jesus' death on the cross as insufficient atonement for sin, but rather his righteous life was imputed to the elect. Their god pretends that the elect lived Christ's righteous lifestyle, never sinning, rather than the view that Christ's death pay for their sins.

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