The Problems with Calvinism
A Resolution to Calvinistic Misconceptions
There have been a number of unresolvable paradoxes introduced into Christian
theology unncessarily through Calvinism along with deviant applications.
Pure Calvinists generally don't try to apply their theology to life and
rather live with the paradoxes being unresolved, some even reckoning it
heresy to even try to resolve the paradoxes. Hyper-Calvinists are those
who actually apply Calvnism to life. Here are some hyper-Calvinistic applications.
On the five points of Calvinism:
1. Total Depravity: Because of our sinful fallen nature people
faith is forced upon an arbitrarily chosen "elect" group in a puppet like
fashion. In fact before they even believe, people must first be born of
God. And since people are incapable of seeking for God, therefore they
should not even be encouraged to seek God. For that would be a salvation
by works and they would have something to boast about.
For example Calvinists demand that neither faith in Christ or even God's
foreknowledge of our faith be a basis of God's election
Historically there has been great debate and controversy between the
Calvinist, Lutheran and Arminian theological camps over these concepts
and their implications. But briefly, what does the Bible have to say?
Election
"Chose" - Different meanings in Different Contexts
Many words are used to mean different things in different contexts. So
we shouldn't presume that "chose" means the same thing in every context.
For example James 2:5 says that God chose the poor. Are therefore
all "poor" people "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation" in accordance with 1Pe 2:9? Certainly not! Not all poor
people are God's elect. The context makes clear that he is speaking of
a subset of believers - those who are poor. There were also believers who
were materially rich - yes, rich in the eyes of the world. But those poor
Christians were chosen to be rich in faith, being subjected to circumstances
and given more opportunities to exercise their faith.
So people can be chosen to have the opportunity to suffer through difficulties,
just as Paul writes to the Philippians, "For it has been granted to
you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
for him." Php 1:29 God was not the one giving them the suffering
as gift, but rather the context indicates it was coming from being persecuted
by unbelievers, just as they had been given the opportunity to believe.
Consider also John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose
you." Here Jesus is speaking of chosing his disciples. Again it is
not referring to chosing people for salvation, but for a particular task.
This is verified by the all the verses in John prior to this referring
to chosing:
Joh 6:70 Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you,
the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"
Joh 13:18 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those
I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares
my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
These clearly refer to just the Twelve, not to all saved. In fact Judas
was not chosen for salvation, yet he was one of the "chosen" twelve. So
once again we must be careful to consider the context when interpreting
"chose".
The Elect
There is nonetheless a category of people "the Elect" which the Bible speaks
of.
But who are they?
Ro 8:33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God
has
chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who are the chosen? Very simply they are the "us" that
Paul refers to in the verse surrounding this one. Rom 8:31,32"If
God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own
Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with
him, graciously give us all things?" Rom 8:33,34 "Who
is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised
to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
The elect is a category of people - the believers in Christ. Everyone
in this category is the "elect" of whom Paul speaks. That is what the context
indicates. It is not a mysterious or unknown group. Peter also speaks who
they are, saying: "But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God." 1Pe 2:9
The chosen are the "you" he is addressing. And the apostle John
even speaks to individuals, knowing their "elect" status - 2Jo 1:1 "To
the chosen lady and her children" As does Paul, Ro 16:13
"Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord."
God chose the category of "believers in Christ" before the creation of
the world.
Eph 1:4,5 For he chose us in him before the creation
of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined
us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.
He choses according to his foreknowlege of how people will respond to the
gospel.
1Pe 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for
obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace
be yours in abundance.
Notice also that Eph 1:5 does not say that he predestined us to
believe, but rather to be adopted as sons, for John 1:12 reveals:
"to
all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God." Thus one does not even receive the right
to be born of God until one believes. But having foreseen who would cooperate
to the point of believing, we can say that God planned for such people
to be adopted as sons.
So on a categorical basis, we can view "election" as an elevator named
"believers in Christ" predestined to go up. But on an individual basis
we can view it as God foreknowing who would chose to get on the elevator
and therefore being chosen according to God's foreknowledge.
The difference between categorical and individual election is that for
individual election one can speak of being "elect" but not yet saved.
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the
elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
with eternal glory.
But it is inevitable that such people will come to hear the gospel and
believe it, in accordance with God's foreknowledge, and thus be saved.
Ac 13:48 "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and
honored the word of the Lord; and all who were (have been) appointed for
eternal life believed."
Here again they were appointed according to God's foreknowledge of their
response to the gospel. Thus, believing reveals one's election. Consider
also greek that Luke is using. "were appointed" in the greek is a participle
in the perfect passive tense. Thus more literally, "the having been
appointed for eternal life ones believed". The usage of the perfect
tense (rather than the aorist) could also indicate that he was referring
to those who believed at the present time in which he was writing, saying
that those whom have been revealed as being elect ones, those same ones
came to believe when Paul preached to them the gospel. The context doesn't
clarify the shades of distinctions between these interpretations on this
verse, so it's unclear whether he's referring to God's foreknowledge or
simply speaking in an historical sense.
The Gospels on Election
Mt 22:14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen."
This is in conclusion to the parable of the man not showing up in wedding
clothes - representing mere nominal Christians, and thus never really believed.
The "chosen" are the true believers in Christ and not mere nominal believers.
Mt 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive,
but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
There will be believers on the earth during some of the tribulation
period Jesus speaks of in the end times.
Mt 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and
perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-- if
that were possible.
That is, he would try to deceive the elect, but fail. True believers
will reveal themselves by enduring to the end.
Predestination
The Elect (the believers in Christ) are predestined to be saved from God's
wrath. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life." And also to go on to glory. Ro 8:30And those
he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;
those he justified, he also glorified.
Since once-elect, always elect, and since the elect are the believers
- the redeemed - the saved - the one's born of God, therefore, once a person
enters into such a category, they will remain and go on to glory. And this
is in accordance with God's foreknowledge. Predestination implies Eternal
Security. Ro 8:29 "For those God foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers."
Eph 1:11-13 "In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined
according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with
the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in
Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included
in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit."
Predestination for salvation is only spoken of in the context of faith
in Christ. What I mean is that Biblical predestination cannot be used as
a basis to support the idea that some are predestined to be saved apart
from faith in Christ - like through infant baptism. Notice also the order
of salvation presented here.
1. You heard the Word of Truth (the gospel)
2. Having believed
3. You received the Holy Spirit.
That is God's plan. A person receives the Holy Spirit only after he believes,
which is consistent with John 1:12 as well. Regeneration (being
born of God) occurs after believing the gospel, not before.
God's Plan and Predestination
Acts 4:28 "They did what your power and will had decided beforehand
should happen."
This verse refers to the unbeliever's condemnation and murder of Christ.
How was God involved in this process. Was he simply a puppet master who
murdered Christ through his puppet like control of the unbelievers?
If you take into account God's foreknowledge of how people would respond
to circumstances, then much of the way which God brought about this sacrifice
of atonement makes sense. God wanted an event to occur. Yet he didn't force
it outright in puppet like fashion, but from his foreknowledge fashioned
a plan using his counsel (which is the word "will" here). This is not unlike
people who have knowledge of how people react to things and manipulate
the circumstances so as to bring out a desired result. But of course God
having perfect knowledge eliminates all possibility of failure, while at
the same time not forcing people to kill Christ.
Look at Jesus' behavior in the gospels. He behaved in such a way, stepping
on the pride of the religious leaders, that it was inevitable that he would
be crucified. He need not control the outcome as if a puppet master. Thus
God is innocent of the blood of Christ. He simply placed him, as a willing
sacrifice, in circumstances that would lead to his death, being brought
about by sinners who were not directly being controlled by God.
Addendum
Is there something I missed? Here is every verse in the New Testament that
contains the words
-
"eklektos" = The Elect
-
"eklegomai" = To Elect
-
"proorizo" = Predestine
The Elect (gk. "eklektos")
Mt 22:14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Mt 24:22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would
survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Mt 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and
perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-- if
that were possible.
Mt 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call,
and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end
of the heavens to the other.
Mr 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would
survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has
shortened them.
Mr 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and
perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-- if that were possible.
Mr 13:27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect
from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
Lu 18:7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen
ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
Lu 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered
at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the
Christ of God, the Chosen One."
Ro 8:33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen?
It is God who justifies.
Ro 16:13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother,
who has been a mother to me, too.
Col 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience.
1Ti 5:21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus
and
the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality,
and to do nothing out of favoritism.
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the
elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
with eternal glory.
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ
for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that
leads to godliness--
1Pe 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience
to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in
abundance.
1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone-- rejected by men
but
chosen by God and precious to him--
1Pe 2:6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a
chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises
of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
2Jo 1:1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children,
whom I love in the truth-- and not I only, but also all who know the truth--
2Jo 1:13 The children of your chosen sister send their
greetings.
Re 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will
overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with
him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
To Elect (gk. "eklegomai")
Mr 13:20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would
survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen,
he has shortened them.
Lu 6:13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and
chose
twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Lu 10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen
what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Lu 14:7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places
of honor at the table, he told them this parable:
Joh 6:70 Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you,
the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"
Joh 13:18 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I
have
chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread
has lifted up his heel against me.'
Joh 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father
will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Joh 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as
its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Ac 1:2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving
instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Ac 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart.
Show us which of these two you have chosen
Ac 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose
Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Ac 13:17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers;
he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power
he led them out of that country,
Ac 15:7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them:
"Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you
that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and
believe.
Ac 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church,
decided
to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul
and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who
were leaders among the brothers.
Ac 15:25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send
them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul--
1Co 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1Co 1:28 He chose the lowly things of this world and
the despised things-- and the things that are not-- to nullify the things
that are,
Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of
the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
Jas 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen
those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to
inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Predestine (gk. "proorizo")
Ac 4:28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand
should happen.
Ro 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to
be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.
Ro 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those
he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
1Co 2:7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has
been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through
Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
Eph 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined
according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with
the purpose of his will,
Verses quoted from the NIV version
The Berean Christian Bible Study
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