Defining Terms

A lot of the confusion with understanding Calvinism is their need for intellectualism. They have terms for different beliefs, different definitions for words than what most are used to, and like to put people in certain groups in order to know where one stands on the Scriptures. For example, the most common argument against Evangelicals from Calvinists is that you are an Arminian, Pelagian, or Semi-Pelagian if what you believe does not line up with what they believe. I can almost guarantee that 75% of Evangelicals have no clue what an Arminian believes or even what a Pelagian or Semi-Pelagian is! There are terms like infralapsarianism, supralapsarianism, and sublapsarianism. Effectual calling, reprobation, double predestination, and monergism. As you can see, they have their own vocabulary and definitions, so when talking about a particular subject, the terms need to be defined. I will do my best to define terms in order to make the argument more understandable.

Hermeneutics: Rules for Bible Interpretation

When it comes to Bible interpretation, otherwise called Hermeneutics, there are some rules that apply. It is said that there are three rules to Bible interpretation: 1. Context 2. Context 3. Context. There is another one often neglected by the Calvinist: You cannot approach the Scriptures with presuppositions. Calvinism is superimposed upon Scripture, in being presented as the “gospel behind the gospel” and so when anyone rejects the imposition of Calvinism upon Scripture, he is told that he has rejected the “God of Scripture.” This is the most frequent mistake made by the Reformed camp. A great example is Romans 9. I will exegete this passage later on, but for the sake of example, they interpret this chapter in order to fit the presuppositions of individual election, defined by their terms. It is clear from the text that Paul is addressing the Jews as a collective whole as a nation, not individual selective salvation.

Calvinism is Man Made Theology

I will show this more when I talk about the history of Calvinism but will briefly make my point here. Most Calvinists will admit that they were saved as “Armenians”, but God has opened their eyes to the truths of Calvinism. This should send red flags out all over the place but for some reason they seem happy, even boastful about this. First, most believe that “Armenians” are heretics and can’t possibly be saved. Although most won’t openly admit this, make them mad enough in a chat room or debate and they will admit their true beliefs. So does this mean that they were not truly saved before their conversion to Calvinism? Second, how can you allow men to persuade you from the truth to a lie? Most will admit that they were taught Calvinism by another Calvinist. No one reads the Scriptures and comes to the conclusion that Calvinism is true without these presuppositions being placed within their heads. They trust in men’s interpretation of the Scriptures rather than the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, they will say things like “At first, these doctrines were a hard pill to swallow, but now they are the most beautiful things to me.” Why are they a hard pill to swallow? Because these doctrines go against the Bible and the guiding conviction of the Holy Spirit. Then, contradictory beliefs between Calvinism and the Scriptures are explained as irreconcilable and unknowable until we get to heaven. Here is how the famous Calvinist John MacArthur explains his thoughts on human responsibility and Unconditional Election:

“You know what the Scripture says: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked”–God says that. See, that provides for me the tension. I don’t understand that question. I don’t know the answer to that, because I don’t know the mind of God. And so, it’s at this point that I trust God–I trust his character. I don’t know how God can have no pleasure in the death of the wicked and will let the wicked die. I don’t know how on the one hand God can say in Isaiah 46:10, “I do all my good pleasure” and then say, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” I don’t know that. And that’s the tension.

Let me put it to you very simply: all men born in Adam are born with the sin nature, and because they bear a sin nature, they are all damned to hell. It is our sin in Adam and the nature we bear because of that, that condemns all men to hell. As all men go to hell, God, in his marvelous grace, saves some. The rest are damned, but not simply because of the sin in Adam–primarily because of the sin of unbelief. John 3 says, “You are condemned already because you”–what?–“believe not.” Now, this is where the tension comes.

Salvation is by the elect, predestined, purpose of God. Damnation is by the unbelief of men. Now you say, “How do you resolve that?” I don’t resolve that! I can’t resolve that. But, I know God is perfect and He resolves it perfectly and that’s the best we can do with it.”

Here, John, let me help you with that. Free Will. Free Choice. God knows how we are going to use our freedom. The reason that Calvinistic doctrines cannot be reconciled with the Scriptures is because these doctrines are not in the Bible! As you can see, instead of saying “Wow, my presuppositions contradict the Scriptures. There must be something wrong with my presuppositions!” they say, “Wow, my presuppositions contradict the Scriptures. This is a mystery we cannot know!”

They sear their conscience to the fact that it is heresy because it seems more righteous by saying they take no credit for their salvation. My question then is this: Were they taking credit for their salvation before this? Paul warns the Galatians about follow after man-made theology. We see in chapter 1:

¹Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (emphasis mine)

Here Paul verifies that he is not sent by men, but by Christ. He goes on in verse 6 to say:

⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

This is seemingly the same with the Calvinist. They have left the true Gospel for a perversion. Paul continues and warns that if anybody says anything that is contrary to the Gospel you have learned, let him be accursed.

⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

¹¹But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

¹²For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (emphasis mine)

Here he reiterates the point: He was taught by Christ, not men. This was the very thing that happened to the Galatians. Some men crept in unawares and persuaded them away from the very truth that saved them. This is an eerily similar scenario to that of the convert to Calvinism. They have been persuaded by men that crept in when the opportunity presented itself. America is ripe for the heretic to take over because the Church has failed in its capacity to preach the gospel and unashamedly proclaim the Word of God without fear, favor or compromise. American Christianity has gone south, while the Calvinist uses the guise of “conservatism”, supposed “holiness”, and hard preaching to win over converts. It is very easy to see why people are so taken by it, but, the fact still remains. It is not of God! Paul strictly warns the Galatians as I will the converts of Calvinism:

3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.