What is Calvinism?

[William]

I heard this before, and also have seen it mentioned a few times on the board. I'm going to have to assume its a false religion or belief because its not Born again Bible Believing Christianity , but what exactly is it? If anyone could explain this.

What is Calvinism though? I mean what is this theology about? Is it a modern movement, or an older movement prior to 1900?

I'm just curious, and wanted to know so I'm not ignorant on the issue and not be deceived by it, or if I come across someone I might be able to witness to them about it being false.

Thanks, and God Bless.

[akfools]

[akfools]

You can research alot about theologies on wikipedia. They arent 100% accurate all of the time  but it is a good start. David Stewart, @ Jesus is Saviour .com has alot of info refuting calvinism and John Calvin.

[PeanutGallery]

What is Calvinism though? I mean what is this theology about? Is it a modern movement, or an older movement prior to 1900?

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/osas2.html
The Calvinism vs. Arminianism Debate

[rosswell]

The name Calvinism is derived from John Calvin and his line of theology. The main focus of this theology is the way God works in salvation. I believe it is scripturally sound for the most part with a couple of minor exceptions. What it involves is the fact that while we choose to believe, God chose to cause us to believe in the first place or we never would. This is because man in his natural state is spiritually dead incapable of appreciating any spiritual truth such as the gospel. That is why we must be born again in order to be saved. According to John 1 and 3, this spiritual new birth is a complete sovereign work of God apart from man's will altogether. This is the first cause in bringing us to salvation. If we are born again we will receive the gospel seed producing true fruit for God. This can be seen in the good soil in the parable of the sower. The first three soil types fail to produce fruit even though they receive the good seed of the gospel. These are three various conditions that natural Adamic man can be found in. The good soil represents a heart that has been born again, capable of receiving the gospel by true faith, producing fruit for God. A key verse which shows that God is sovereign in salvation is John 6:44:

John 6:44 (King James Version)

 44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Unless a person is drawn by the Father, he will never come to Christ and if he is drawn by the Father he WILL be raised up at the last day. True salvation is a work of God from start to finish.

[Christian40]

"The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again." — C. H. Spurgeon

A Defense of Calvinism by C. H. Spurgeon
http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

[akfools]

Was Spurgeon a Calvinist?

by David J. Stewart

       Yes!  It is woefully tragic that so many professed believers are making the same mistake for which the Apostle Paul rebuked the believers at Corinth of making,

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name” (1st Corinthians 1:10-15).

I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, I am a born again Christian! Let this be our stand!
 

Spurgeon Foolishly Admitted He was a Calvinist!

"There is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer—I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it." -Charles H. Spurgeon

“And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else”

SOURCE: From The Autobiography of Charles H. Spurgeon, Curts and Jennings, Cincinnati - Chicago - St. Louis, 1898, Vol. I., Page 172.

Charles Spurgeon was indeed a Calvinist, but NOT a 5-point Calvinist. Spurgeon clearly believed that anyone could come to Christ of his own freewill to be saved. Unfortunately, Spurgeon did teach "limited atonement" (the heresy that Jesus only died for the redeemed, and not the whole world). I will explain more on this later.

Though Spurgeon was a professed Calvinist, he openly condemned Hyper-Calvinism (and he called it that). Hyper-Calvinists are people who reject some of the basic teachings of Calvinism. In researching, I couldn't find a group of professed believers who call themselves “Hyper-Calvinists.” This is because there are NO groups who call themselves “Hyper-Calvinists.” It is a term given to them by their critics. So what do they call themselves? “Calvinists,” what else? So you can see that Calvinist views can vary widely since Hyper-Calvinists also claim to be "Calvinists." The Truth is that BOTH Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism are of the Devil.

Calvinism is NOT a Bible doctrine, but a system of human philosophy (humanism) appealing to the proud mind. Calvinism goes into the realm of human philosophy. Consider first that what we are discussing is called “Calvin-ISM.” It is only the opinions of one man.

Dr. Loraine Boettner says, “It was Calvin who wrought out this system of theological thought with such logical clearness and emphasis that it has ever since borne his name.” That's a big lie. Are you going to tell me that believers were ignorant of the Word of God for 1,500 years until Calvin arrived? How strange that after 1,500 years of Christianity, practically no one had understood the Bible to teach Calvin's doctrine of predestination (until he introduced the philosophy). What a strangely hidden doctrine, that New Testament Christians could go for nearly for 1500 years until the days of the reformers, when Calvin developed the doctrine fully. The Bible has always been clear on doctrine.

No one had any problems finding the truth about salvation before Calvin arrived. The Bible is clear on Biblical doctrine. God put the cookies of truth on the bottom shelf for us to reach, we don't need Calvin's stepladder (or anyone else's). Heretics always try to convince us that the truth is way above our heads, out of our reach, and that we need them to help us obtain the truth. 1st John 2:27 reads, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” All we need is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Here are the words of the mighty Christian writer and evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980)...

"Charles Spurgeon, great and blessed London preacher, was a Calvinist though he spoke against "hyper-Calvinism," and called it that; and his hyper-Calvinist friends criticized him for preaching that "whosoever will" may come...

Spurgeon was a Calvinist and said so, but he did not accept all the doctrines of hyper-Calvinism, and he said so.

In truth, the false doctrines of hyper-Calvinism would not do so much harm if they were emphasized as little as Spurgeon emphasized them, and particularly, if those who advocate them worked unceasingly to win souls as Spurgeon did.

But why follow Spurgeon? He was human. He was an amazing preacher, an evangelist. Some think he was the greatest preacher since the Apostle Paul. But when he was wrong he was wrong. He plainly said he did not know enough about the return of Christ to preach on it. No man is perfect.  It would be as foolish to follow Spurgeon in whatever part of the false doctrine of hyper-Calvinism he believed as to follow him in smoking cigars. He saw the error of smoking a little while before he went to Heaven, and I am sure he saw the errors of hyper-Calvinism, besides those he himself criticized, as soon as he reached Heaven. Why not just follow the Bible instead of Arminius or Calvin or Wesley or Spurgeon?" -Dr. John R. Rice
 

Spurgeon on “Unconditional Election” and Predestination

Spurgeon was NOT a Calvinist on all points, though he may have thought he was. I sincerely believe that Spurgeon didn't quite fully understand Calvin's teachings. Read Surgeon's comments on this Calvinist doctrine as he understands it...

"If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, I should reply, "He is one who says, Salvation is of the Lord." I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this. It is the essence of the Bible. "He only is my rock and my salvation." Tell me anything contrary to this truth, and it will be a heresy; tell me a heresy, and I shall find its essence here, that it has departed from this great, this fundamental, this rock-truth, "God is my rock and my salvation." What is the heresy of Rome, but the addition of something to the perfect merits of Jesus Christ—the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification? And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor."

SOURCE: Charles H. Spurgeon; from The Autobiography of Charles H. Spurgeon, Curts and Jennings, Cincinnati - Chicago - St. Louis, 1898, Vol. I., Page 172.

It appears that Spurgeon did NOT fully understand the doctrine of “unconditional election” as taught by John Calvin. I agree with Charles Spurgeon's words in the preceding paragraph, but Spurgeon is speaking about works verses grace, and not predestination as Calvin taught. Spurgeon simply believed that man could NOT save himself, but that Salvation was 100% of God. This is Biblical...

Mark 10:25-27, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible).”

Yet, Spurgeon clearly also believed that “whosoever will” (anyone) could get saved, a view that Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists do NOT hold. Romans 10:13 plainly teaches, “For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Spurgeon believed that God absolutely needed to be involved in man's salvation, and this is Biblical. We read in John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” But for Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists to teach that God is “selective” in choosing who will or won't be saved is certainly NOT Biblical.

Titus 2:11 clearly teaches, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Did you read that...ALL men? Spurgeon didn't believe that only certain sinners of God's choosing would be saved. Romans 10:13 plainly teaches that “WHOSOEVER” will may come to be saved (and Spurgeon believed this). John 3:16 proclaims that God loved the WORLD enough to send His only begotten Son to pay for our sins. Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism are wrong to teach that God chooses who will be saved. I think Spurgeon jumped-the-gun on this issue before fully investigating it because Spurgeon clearly did NOT believe that anyone is predestined to salvation.

John Calvin taught heresy when he taught that God chooses people to be saved. There is NOT one Scripture in the entire Word of God which teaches that God chooses anyone to be saved. The Bible teaches that all believers were predestined to “be conformed to the image of His Son,” NOT predestined to salvation (“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren,” Romans 8:29). This is exactly what Spurgeon believed.

In contrast, Calvinism DOES teach predestination unto salvation. God NEVER chooses anyone for salvation, Scriptures such as Acts 17:30 make this abundantly clear (“...but now commandeth all men every where to repent”). Why would God command ALL men to repent if only certain men have been chosen for salvation. There really is NO debate concerning Arminianism, Calvinism, and Hyper-Calvinism if you simply take the Word of God at face value... they're all messed up!

The Bible is so clear on all these matters. There are problems with all three views. Arminianism is wrong to teach that a person can lose salvation. Romans 5:15 declares that eternal life is a “FREE GIFT.” A gift CANNOT be taken back if it is freely given. Salvation is God's gift to man, paid for by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:14). Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism teach “limited atonement” and “selective salvation,” which are both Satanic lies. 1st John 2:2 couldn't be any clearer, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Calvinism is unbiblical heresy!
 

Spurgeon on “Limited Atonement”

Spurgeon was very wrong on the doctrine of “limited atonement” as you will read in the following quote by Spurgeon...

"Once again, if it was Christ's intention to save all men, how deplorably has He been disappointed, for we have His own testimony that there is a lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, and into that pit of woe have been cast some of the very persons who, according to the theory of universal redemption, were bought with His blood. That seems to me a conception a thousand times more repulsive than any of those consequences which are said to be associated with the Calvinistic and Christian doctrine of special and particular redemption. To think that my Saviour died for men who were or are in hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to entertain. To imagine for a moment that He was the Substitute for all the sons of men, and that God, having first punished the Substitute, afterwards punished the sinners themselves, seems to conflict with all my ideas of Divine justice. That Christ should offer an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that afterwards some of those very men should be punished for the sins for which Christ had already atoned, appears to me to be the most monstrous iniquity that could ever have been imputed to Saturn, to Janus, to the goddess of the Thugs, or to the most diabolical heathen deities." -Charles H. Spurgeon

Although I fully understand Spurgeon's viewpoint, it is unbiblical. The Bible teaches universal atonement. Like it or not, the Word of God is our Final Authority, NOT Spurgeon nor any other man. 1st John 2:2 reads, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 2nd Corinthians 5:15, “And that he died for all...” We read in 1st Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

The Word of God proclaims that Christ came to save sinners, not just certain sinners. Listen to the plain teaching of 2nd Peter 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.” This Scripture clearly reveals that it is possible for ALL men to repent. God is NOT willing for any to perish. If Calvinism is correct, then how can you reconcile God's desire for all men to repent if He only predestinates certain of them to salvation? Calvinism makes no sense at all.


Spurgeon on “The Perseverance of the Saints”

"I do not know how some people, who believe that a Christian can fall from grace, manage to be happy. It must be a very commendable thing in them to be able to get through a day without despair. If I did not believe the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, I think I should be of all men the most miserable, because I should lack any ground of comfort" -Charles H. Spurgeon

Again, I think Spurgeon misunderstood John Calvin's teachings. I believe the Biblical doctrine of “eternal security,” just as Spurgeon did. I agree that a born again believer can NEVER lose salvation. We didn't do good works to get salvation, and we can't do bad works to lose it.

Many believers have difficulty in accepting the Biblical truth that a born again believer can live in sin and still remain saved. What they fail to realize is that judgment day is coming for the believer, as well as for the unbeliever. The Bible clearly teaches that believers who sin WILL face the wrath of God at the judgment seat of Christ for their sins (Psalm 6:1, 38:1; 1st Thessalonians 4:6; Matthew 12:36; Romans 12:19, 14:12; 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11; Hebrews 12:6-8). No one is going to get away with anything! Just because a person is saved does NOT give them God's permission to sin. Every believer is safe from Hell's punishment; but we risk the wrath of God and loss of rewards (1st Corinthians 3:15).

Contrary to what most people think, John Calvin didn't teach eternal security at all. Calvin insisted that believers must persevere in faith if they are to remain in grace. He believed that the elect will persevere in faith and continue in grace to ultimate final salvation. These damnable heresies are far from Spurgeon's understanding of Calvinism. The very fact that Calvinism requires a saint to “persevere” to the end is damnable heresy. Eternal security is the preservation of the saints, NOT the perseverance of the saints. To “persevere” is works salvation. The cult of Seventh-Day Adventism similarly teaches that a person cannot KNOW they're saved until the final judgment.

Biblical salvation is instant and forever, NOT pending of anything. Sadly, even the Salvation Army teaches the damnable heresy of “continuing in faith” in order to be saved (belief # 9 on their official statement of faith). This is a dangerous heresy because it eliminates the FREE GIFT of eternal life. A gift is completely free with NO strings attached. There is NO delay period, nor testing period before we get it. We receive eternal life the very moment we trust Christ as our personal Savior to forgive our sins. Romans 5:15 and Romans 6:23 declare that eternal life is a “gift” from God. Romans 5:15 even calls it a “free gift.”

Man's works and efforts have absolutely NOTHING to do with God's salvation. Salvation is received, not achieved. Whether a believer continues in the faith or not is irrelevant. Either they are saved and can never lose it, or else they aren't saved now and never had it to begin with. You cannot undo your spiritual birth, just as you cannot undo your physical birth. John 3:16 is so clear on the matter of salvation, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If a lost sinner simply believes upon Christ, they will never perish.


The Truth of the Matter

I believe that Calvin misunderstood the Bible, and Spurgeon misunderstood Calvin. Yes, it is true that a person cannot be saved unless God the Holy Spirit is working in their heart, but the Bible plainly teaches that it's the Holy Spirit's task to convict THE WORLD of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Yes, God knew in advance (before the world began) who would one day trust Him, and He predestinated them to be conformed TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, but NOT to salvation. God NEVER chooses anyone to be saved. He did predestinate them before the world began, but only because He saw that those people would one day choose of their own free will to be saved.

God NEVER forces anyone to be saved, nor does God ever choose anyone to be saved. It is easy to go astray in one's doctrines if we fail to realize that God lives in eternity where there is NO time. Thus, there is NO chronology in God's world, only man's. This is why Revelation speaks of "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.  This is why the Bible teaches that “a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day with the Lord (2nd Peter 3:.” Predestination simply means that God was making plans for those whom He knew would one day be saved. 

Salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides salvation to all who believe. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God. It is apparent that Spurgeon was only a one-point Calvinist. Spurgeon believed that "whosoever will" can come to Christ to be saved. This eliminates three points of Calvinism. Spurgeon also believed in eternal security, which eliminates the last point of Calvinism. The only Calvinist heresy that Spurgeon bought into, and horribly so, was the unbiblical heresy of limited atonement. Clearly, Christ died and shed His blood for ALL humanity.

Spurgeon was a mighty preacher, and 99% of all his writings are excellent materials. Spurgeon is still without a doubt one of the greatest Baptist preachers to have ever lived. I certainly do not feel comfortable critiquing Spurgeon, the man whom God used to reach London more than any other in the 19th century. However, heresy is heresy and must be exposed. Romans 3:4 declares, “...let God be true, but every man a liar...” Ultimately, we are all capable of teaching heresy. It is a mistake for anyone to call them self a “Calvinist” or a “Arminian” or a “Spurgeonite” for that matter. 1st Corinthians 1:10-15 clearly teaches that our allegiance must be to God, NOT to men. I believe the Word of God, It is the Final Authority on what I believe, nothing else. I don't care how great or liked a preacher or teacher may be, if they teach unscriptural doctrines...they must be exposed for the sake of others.

Spurgeon was not perfect, nor is anyone else. We are all just frail human beings. Many preachers have had to come to the woeful realization that they were guilty of previously teaching heresy. Dr. John R. Rice admitted that in the old days he used to teach about the “signs” of Christ's coming. Then he realized one day that the Word of God plainly declares that NO MAN knoweth the time of Christ's coming. He changed his beliefs. This is commendable. I know of a preacher presently who has written a series of heretical books on tithing and money. Hopefully he will one day realize his folly and discontinue the sale of those books.

Furthermore, it is sad when preachers focus upon money more than the things of God. It is tragic. I used to teach that Christians would only receive rewards in Heaven, and not be punished or reprimanded in any way since Christ paid for our sins. Then I realized one day how wrong I had been. The Word of God clearly warns believers of the Judgment Seat of Christ to come. 1st Thessalonians 4:6 plainly teach that God will avenge any brother whom is defrauded. Disobedient Christians will face “the terror of the Lord” (2nd Corinthians 5:11). Romans 14:12 clearly teaches that all believers will be held accountable for their words and actions in this life. Let us all be careful in our teachings to ensure that we are using the Word of God as our source of knowledge, and nothing else.

[akfools]

John Calvin EXPOSED!

Compiled and edited by David J. Stewart

Just as Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a heretic for teachings the necessity of the sacraments (including water baptism) for salvation, John Calvin (1509-1564) was also a heretic. Calvin taught infant baptism, and also that the Sacraments were EQUAL with the Word of God. Calvin and Luther BOTH taught baptismal regeneration.

Calvin even had people killed for disagreeing with his heresy on infant baptism. So many people today are naive of such men. I've been reading Christian books for years that quote Martin Luther and John Calvin—come to find out they both endorsed the heretical sacraments and infant baptism. Sacraments are NOT taught in the Bible.

There is NO way that such men could have been saved because they ADDED works to faith, which is no faith at all. Calvin taught that believers must persevere to the end to be saved. This is works salvation. The reformation was plagued with the remnants of Catholicism, perverting the simple plan of salvation (2nd Corinthians 11:3-4).

Martin Luther came out of Catholicism, but Catholicism didn't come out of Martin Luther. Luther simply started his own demonic cult as a surrogate religion for frustrated Catholics. Mr. Luther was a heretic. The same can definitely be said of John Calvin. Why is it that so many people feel compelled to join manmade religions rather than study the Word of God for themselves? Jesus told us in John 5:39 to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!


Calvin Taught Baptismal Regeneration

Listen to the heretic John Calvin teach baptismal regeneration (i.e., the unbiblical teaching that a person must be water baptized in order to go to Heaven). John Calvin was very Catholic in his doctrines...

"Consider Calvin: “But as baptism is a solemn recognition by which God introduces his children into the possession of life [e.g., regeneration], a true and effectual sealing of the promise, a pledge of sacred union with Christ, it is justly said to be the entrance and reception into the church. And as the instruments of the Holy Spirit are not dead, God truly performs and effects by baptism what he figures.”  Elsewhere, Calvin wrote, “There is a union complementary with the thing figured, lest the sign be empty, because that which the Lord represents in sign he effects at the same time, and executes in us by the power of the Spirit . . . What indeed do we abrogate or take away from God when we teach that he acts through his instruments, indeed, he alone . . . God works . . . through the sacraments as instruments… The Spirit is the author, the sacrament is truly the instrument used.” —SOURCE

The Bible does NOT teach the lie of  Baptismal Regeneration. Baptism will just get you wet, it has NO saving power.
 

Calvin Taught Limited Atonement

John Calvin errantly taught that Jesus only died for the saved. Sadly, Charles Spurgeon bought into this lie of Calvin. Although I fully understand the viewpoint, it is unbiblical. The Bible teaches universal atonement. Like it or not, the Word of God is our Final Authority, NOT Spurgeon or any other man. 1st John 2:2 reads, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 2nd Corinthians 5:15, “And that he died for all...” We read in 1st Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” The Word of God proclaims that Christ came to save sinners, not just certain sinners. 

Listen to the plain teaching of 2nd peter 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.” This Scripture clearly reveals that it is possible for ALL men to repent. God is NOT willing for any to perish. If Calvinism is correct, then how can you reconcile God's desire for all men to repent if He only predestinates certain of them to salvation? Calvinism makes no sense at all.
 

Calvinism is NOT Biblical Doctrine

Calvin was a heretic who taught that God predestines men to salvation. Calvin taught “selective salvation” (or “unconditional election”) where God selects who will be saved and who will not. These are Satanic heresies. Calvin also taught “irresistible grace” (the lie that God forces a person to be saved).

I once heard a New Evangelical pastor tell me that there is no need to go soulwinning because God decides who gets saved or not. That pastor is an utter fool. He was so lazy and far from God that he adopted Calvin's heresies to justify his carnality and unwillingness to preach the Gospel. Proverb 11:30 tells us that a wise Christian wins souls to Christ. The unscriptural attitude of Calvinists is: “If God predestinates men to salvation, then why should we go soulwinning?”

Why did Paul go door-to-door soul-winning in Acts 20:20? Why did Jesus give the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Why did Jesus try to convert the wicked Scribes and Pharisees? Why did Stephen continue preaching to the angry mob? Why did the early Christians continue preaching the gospel, after James was killed by Herod for preaching the gospel? It is because there is hope for every sinner to come to Christ. It is because God has given to mankind a free will, and the choice is ours individually to make. God does NOT choose who will be saved or lost. The choice is yours alone to make!

Clearly, Calvin was somewhat of a Catholic. Here's some of what John Calvin believed...

"God's church and the sacraments are also given in God's grace for the edification of the elect and the good of the world. The church, one through all time, can be known by the preaching and hearing of God's Word and the proper administration of the sacraments. Although the true church is known only to God, the visible church is thoroughly related to it on earth. Officers and leaders in the church should be those individuals who try responsibly to follow in Christian discipleship, but their authority cannot depend on their righteousness. The offices should be only those designated in the New Testament. Sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist) should be celebrated as mysteries in which Christ is spiritually present; in the Eucharist he believed that Christ is present both symbolically and by his spiritual power, which is imparted by his body in heaven to the souls of believers as they partake of the Eucharist. This position, which has been called "dynamic presence," occupies a middle ground between the doctrines of Luther and Zwingli"

SOURCE: 1996 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Copyright 1996 Grolier Interactive, Inc. and Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, Copyright 1993-1997 Microsoft Corporation.

Calvinism is NOT a Bible doctrine, but a system of human philosophy (humanism) appealing to the proud mind. Calvinism goes into the realm of human philosophy. Consider first that what we are discussing is called "Calvin-ISM." It is only the opinions of one man.

Dr. Loraine Boettner says, “It was Calvin who wrought out this system of theological thought with such logical clearness and emphasis that it has ever since borne his name.” That's a big lie. Are you going to tell me that believers were ignorant of the Word of God for 1,500 years until Calvin arrived? How strange that after 1,500 years of Christianity, practically no one had understood the Bible to teach Calvin's doctrine of predestination until he introduced the philosophy. What a strangely hidden doctrine... that New Testament Christians somehow survived for nearly for 1500 years since Christ without Calvin's teachings; until the days of the reformers when Calvin developed the doctrine fully. That's insane! Dr. Boettner idolizes Mr. Calvin; but the Bible calls Calvin a liar and a heretic.

The Bible has always been clear on doctrine. No one had any problems finding the truth about salvation before Calvin arrived. The Bible is also clear on Biblical doctrine. God put the cookies of truth on the bottom shelf for us to reach; we don't need Calvin's stepladder (or anyone else's).

Heretics always try to convince us that the truth is way above our heads, out of our reach, and that we need them to help us obtain the truth. 1st John 2:27 reads, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” All we need is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Calvin was a Tyrant Monster
 

Let God Be True, but Every Man a Liar

Romans 3:4 declares, “...let God be true, but every man a liar...” It is woefully tragic that so many professed believers are making the same mistake which the Apostle Paul rebuked the believers at Corinth of making, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name” (1st Corinthians 1:10-15). I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, nor a Lutheran, I am a born-again Christian! 
 

Spurgeon and Calvinism

Although Spurgeon claimed to be a Calvinist, it appears that Spurgeon did NOT fully understand the doctrine of “unconditional election” as taught by John Calvin. I agree with Charles Spurgeon's words in the preceding paragraph, but Spurgeon is speaking about works verses grace, and not predestination as Calvin taught.

Spurgeon simply believed that man could NOT save himself, but that Salvation was 100% of God. This is Biblical (Mark 10:25-27, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible).

Yet, Spurgeon clearly also believed that "whosoever will" (anyone) could get saved, a view that Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists do NOT hold. Romans 10:13 plainly teaches, "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 

Spurgeon believed that God absolutely needed to be involved in man's salvation, and this is Biblical.  We read in John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."  But for Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists to teach that God is "selective" in choosing who will or won't be saved is certainly NOT Biblical.  Titus 2:11 clearly teaches, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."  Did you read that...ALL men?  Spurgeon didn't believe that only certain sinners of God's choosing would be saved.  Romans 10:13 plainly teaches that "WHOSOEVER" will may come to be saved (and Spurgeon believed this).  John 3:16 proclaims that God loved the WORLD enough to send His only begotten Son to pay for our sins.  Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism are wrong to teach that God chooses who will be saved.  I think Spurgeon jumped-the-gun on this issue before fully investigating it because Spurgeon clearly did NOT believe that anyone is predestined to salvation.

John Calvin taught heresy when he taught that God chooses people to be saved.  There is NOT one Scripture in the entire Word of God which teaches that God chooses anyone to be saved.  The Bible teaches that all believers were predestined to "be conformed to the image of His Son," NOT predestined to salvation ("For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" -Romans 8:29).  This is exactly what Spurgeon believed.  In contrast, Calvinism DOES teach predestination unto salvation.  God NEVER chooses anyone for salvation, Scriptures such as Acts 17:30 make this abundantly clear ("...but now commandeth all men every where to repent"). 

Why would God command ALL men to repent if only certain men have been chosen for salvation.  There really is NO debate concerning Arminianism, Calvinism, and Hyper-Calvinism if you simply take the Word of God at face value...they're all messed up!  The Bible is so clear on all these matters.  There are problems with all three views.  Arminianism is wrong to teach that a person can lose salvation.  Romans 5:15 declares that eternal life is a "FREE GIFT."  A gift CANNOT be taken back if it is freely given.  Salvation is God's gift to man, paid for by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:14).  Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism teach "limited atonement" and "selective salvation," which are both Satanic lies.  1st John 2:2 couldn't be any clearer, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  Calvinism is unbiblical heresy!

Salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides salvation to all who believe.  All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.  It is apparent that Spurgeon was only a one-point Calvinist.  Spurgeon believed that "whosoever will" can come to Christ to be saved.  This eliminates three points of Calvinism.  Spurgeon also believed in eternal security, which eliminates the last point of Calvinism.  The only Calvinist heresy that Spurgeon bought into, and horribly so, was the unbiblical heresy of limited atonement. 

Although I fully understand Spurgeon's viewpoint, it is unbiblical.  The Bible teaches universal atonement.  Clearly, Christ died and shed His blood for ALL humanity.  Like it or not, the Word of God is our Final Authority, NOT Spurgeon, Calvin or any other man.  1st John 2:2 reads, ""And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  2nd Corinthians 5:15, "And that he died for all..."  We read in 1st Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  The Word of God proclaims that Christ came to save sinners, not just certain sinners.  Listen to the plain teaching of 2nd peter 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."  This Scripture clearly reveals that it is possible for ALL men to repent.  God is NOT willing for any to perish.  If Calvinism is correct, then how can you reconcile God's desire for all men to repent if He only predestinates certain of them to salvation?  Calvinism makes no sense at all.


Calvin's Folly

Calvin wrote the "Institute's of Christian Religion" when only 27 years old at an impressionable time in history when an organized theology was needed. Calvin has misled so many people that many still consider the writing of the "Institute's" the single most influential book on theology in church history. One wonders what his writing could have achieved in the hearts and minds of men if only he truly had the love of Jesus. His insistent stress upon the awful majesty and righteousness of God drove him to emphasize with equal severity the utter worthlessness of fallen and sinful man. He taught the belief that we are powerless in the salvation act, the belief that man's salvation rests solely upon grace, but only for the elect. Because man is fallen and the human intellect is distorted and has become the instrument of his sin, the consequences of natural theology are idolatrous. The followers of Calvin lived in the delusion that the spirit of Christ worked within them, drawing them toward the perfection that God had called them. Calvin's doctrines had a tendency toward perfectionism and demanded rigorous control over private and social behavior. Calvin never had the humility to acknowledge that those like him who seek to be justified by the law have fallen from grace.  Certainly, Calvin was not saved.

In all essentials, Calvin's state was a theocratic dictatorship. Contrary to the teachings of Jesus, he assumed the existence of a capitalist economic system for society and set up his ethics on that basis. Like the lukewarm church of today, he identified good works with the accumulation of riches. According to this perverse logic, God dispenses riches and poverty as He wills. It is not man's merit, or man's toil that gets a person riches, rather it is God's grace and riches are given as an evidence of God's favor.
 

On the Perseverance of the Saints

Contrary to what most people think, John Calvin didn't teach eternal security at all.  Calvin insisted that believers must persevere in faith if they are to remain in grace.  He believed that the elect will persevere in faith and continue in grace to ultimate final salvation.  These damnable heresies are far from the teachings of the Bible.  The very fact that Calvinism requires a saint to "persevere" to the end is damnable heresy.  Eternal security is the preservation of the saints, NOT the perseverance of the saints.  To "persevere" is works salvation.  The cult of Seventh-Day Adventism similarly teaches that a person cannot KNOW they're saved until the final judgment.  Biblical salvation is instant and forever, NOT pending of anything.  Sadly, even the Salvation Army teaches this damnable heresy (belief # 9 on their official statement of faith). 

This is a dangerous heresy because it eliminates the FREE GIFT of eternal life.  A gift is completely free with NO strings attached.  There is NO delay period, or testing period before we get it.   We receive eternal life the very moment we trust Christ as our Personal Saviour to forgive our sins.  Romans 5:15 and Romans 6:23 declare that eternal life is a "gift" from God.  Romans 5:15 even calls it a "free gift."  Man's works and efforts have absolutely NOTHING to do with God's salvation.  Whether a believer continues in the faith is irrelevant.  Either they are saved and can never lose it, or else they aren't saved now and never had it to begin with.  You cannot undo your spiritual birth, just as you cannot undo your physical birth.  John 3:16 is so clear on the matter of salvation, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  If a lost sinner simply believes upon Christ, they will never perish.

Arminius didn't really teach anything, he simply refuted the heresies of Calvinism.  Although I do agree with the first four refutes of Calvinism by Arminius, I certainly cannot accept his heresy that the believer can lose salvation.  Calvin wasn't correct on this issue either.  Although I DO agree that a believer can never lose their salvation, NO matter what depth of sin they choose to go into, I do NOT accept the unbiblical heresy by Calvin that we should "persevere" to the end to be saved.  In Calvin's commentary on 1st John 3:9, he uses the word "perseverance", clearly stating:

"the hearts of the godly are so effectually governed by the Spirit of God, that through an inflexible disposition they follow his guidance." (John Calvin)

"the power of the Spirit is so effectual, that it necessarily retains us in continual obedience to righteousness." (John Calvin)

This is not eternal security.  Rather Perseverance of the Saints is a perseverance in a behavior consistent with that expected of a child of God.  However, Calvin failed to accept the FACT that believers DO sin, sometimes horribly so.  Sometimes believers go into a life of sin and never get right with God.  Their fellowship with God is broken, but their relationship is not.  David committed adultery and then killed the woman's husband.  David was unrepentant for one year.  If David would have died in that unrepentant state, he would have gone straight to Heaven, NOT Hell as Calvin taught.  Fortunately for David, he did repent.  However, Solomon lived a wicked life of rebellion against God until the end.  Calvin's teachings are nonsense. 

Calvin's teachings are indeed a form of Lordship Salvation.  There is much confusion on the last point of Calvinism.  Some people believe that Calvin taught unconditional eternal security.  Others believe that Calvin taught eternal security conditioned upon the perseverance of the believer.  Clearly, from Calvin's own statements, he believed in Lordship Salvation, that a believer cannot simply trust Christ to be saved, but that a life of commitment and perseverance was also necessary as proof of conversion.  These are damnable heresies.  Although the Bible does teach that a man becomes a new creature in Christ when he is regenerated at Salvation, we cannot always judge that salvation from the outward appearance.  Lot by all appearances was an unsaved heathen, but God called Him a righteous man (2nd peter 2:7).  There are many believers who willfully live in sin, but that DOESN'T mean that they aren't saved.  The critics who deny this truth are adding works to salvation. 
 

The Truth of the Matter

John Calvin was a heretic!  Yes, it is true that a person cannot be saved unless God the Holy Spirit is working in their heart, but the Bible plainly teaches that it's the Holy Spirit's task to convict THE WORLD of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  Yes, God knew in advance (before the world began) who would one day trust Him, and He predestinated them to be conformed TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, but NOT to salvation.  God NEVER chooses anyone to be saved.  He did predestinate them before the world began, but only because He saw that those people would one day choose of their own free will to be saved.  God NEVER forces anyone to be saved, nor does God ever choose anyone to be saved.  It is easy to go astray in one's doctrines if we fail to realize that God lives in eternity where there is NO time.  Thus, there is NO chronology in God's world, only man's. 

This is why Revelation speaks of "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.  This is why the Bible teaches that "a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day with the Lord (2nd Peter 3:."  Predestination simply means that God was making plans for those whom He knew would one day be saved.  The Bible teaches once saved, always saved.  How can a man be "unborn" physically or spiritually?  Once you've been "born again" (John 3:3), it is irreversible.  If a man departs from the faith, it is simply because he never had it to begin with, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" -1st John 2:19.  There is nothing taught in the Bible about "perseverance."  Christians are all Hell-deserving sinners saved by God's grace.  Eternal life is a FREE GIFT paid for in-full by the blood of Jesus.  John Calvin was an unsaved heretic and a cruel tyrant, who perverted the Gospel of Christ into a false gospel.

We are NOT supposed to allow men's doctrines to steer us away from the Truth of God's Word.  A good Bible teaching or preacher will always steer us towards Christ and the Word of God, NOT away from It.  The Apostle Paul was a mature man of God.  The carnal believers in the church of Corinth were in a similar situation as many of today's believers, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name" -1st Corinthians 1:10-15.  I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, I am a born again Christian!  Let this be our stand!

END


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Please read the best explanation I've ever read concerning the Gospel and repentance, by Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951). Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: What Is The Gospel?

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/Calvinism/john_calvin_exposed.htm

[akfools]

What a Mess!

Calvinism... Arminianism... Hyper-Calvinism?

By David J. Stewart

What a Mess!  In the Calvinism vs. Hyper-Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate, who is correct?  Trying to study these different doctrines can be like riding a merry-go-round in circles.  It is fair to note that in the diversity of the Body of Christ, there are all sorts of mixtures of Calvinism and Arminianism.  There are five point Calvinists and five point Arminians, and at the same time three point Calvinists and two point Arminians.  Many believers arrive at some sort of mixture of the two views. 

To complicate matters further, not all Calvinists hold the same beliefs.  And not all Arminians hold the same beliefs.  Some Armenians believe in eternal security, others do not; but James Arminius didn't.  Since Arminius was the origin of Arminianism, it seems ridiculous that someone who believes in eternal security would call them self an "Arminian."  This whole matter is one big mess!!!

In the words ahead, I want to give you the Word of God, nothing else.  We are NOT supposed to allow men's doctrines to steer us away from the Truth of God's Word.  A good Bible teacher or preacher will always steer us towards Christ and the Word of God, NOT away from It.  The Apostle Paul was a mature man of God.  The carnal believers in the church of Corinth were in a similar situation as many of today's believers, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name" -1st Corinthians 1:10-15.  I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, I am a born again Christian!  Let this be our stand!

Also, let me say that there's NOT a dime's difference in my opinion between Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism, they're BOTH from Hell.  BOTH Calvinists are Hyper-Calvinists all believe the basic heresies of Calvinism.  It is truly tragic that so many people are arguing over religion, while the Lord is ignored.  Are we supposed to follow the teachings of ANY man?  No, we are commanded to obey God's Word.  Romans 3:4 declares, "...let God be true, but every man a liar..."  The ongoing battle between Calvinists, Hyper-Calvinists and Arminians is a repeat of the problem which Paul faced with the carnal believers of Corinth.  "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name" -1st Corinthians 1:10-15.  I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, I am a born again Christian!  Both men taught heresies amongst the truth, just as all lies of the Devil are presented.  Please read John Calvin Exposed.

The truth of the matter is that there are problems with all three views: Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism.  Arminius comes closest to Biblical theology, but is woeful wrong to deny the eternal security of the believer.  The doctrines of Calvinism are all flawed.  Hyper-Calvinism may be extreme, but the non-extreme's of Calvinism are heretical enough.  Hyper-Calvinists are nothing less than staunch five-point Calvinists.  Spurgeon was a Baptist preacher, but was only a one-point Calvinist.  Spurgeon believed that "whosoever will" could be saved, which negates the first three doctrines of Calvinism.  Spurgeon believed in eternal security, but he did not believe in Lordship Salvation as Calvin did.
 

On the "Depravity of Man" and "Unconditional Election"

We are all Hell-deserving sinners (Romans 3:10,23;6:23; Revelation 21:.  Man certainly is totally depraved without God when he is born (Psalm 51:5).  However, mankind is NOT born with "original sin" as so many corrupted theologians are teaching today.  Yes, mankind is born with a "sin-nature" handed down from the sin of Adam (Romans 5:12), but there is a vast difference between the Biblical teaching on the sin-nature and the demonic teaching of original sin.  Catholics and Lutherans teach that infant baptism forgives the baby of "origin sin" that was inherited from Adam.  The Catholics for centuries (until Pope Ratzinger changed the doctrine in 2005) taught that unbaptized children could not enter into Heaven.  How foolish and unbiblical to teach that an innocent child could not enter Heaven. 

The concept of original sin is demonic.  We are NOT held accountable for Adam's sin, but we suffer because of his sin.  Adam opened a Pandora's box when he chose to sin which caused man to die spiritually (Romans 5:12).  God told Adam and Eve that they would die the very day they ate of the forbidden fruit, but they didn't die when they ate the fruit (Genesis 2:17).  Why didn't they die?  They did die, but it was a spiritual death; not physical.  Thus, every human being born into this world since Adam has been born spiritually dead, void of God.  When a man is "born again," his dead spirit is made alive by God's Holy Spirit.

It is the damnable heresy of original sin that spawned the heretical practice of "infant baptism" (baptizing babies).  Although Catholics are traditionally associated with this woeful heresy, many protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin bought into the same lie of Satan.  As a tragic result, Lutherans, Presbyterians and many others are practicing the unbiblical heresy of infant baptism.  You can't show me one instance in the Word of God where a child was baptized, or where anyone was sprinkled.  Only converts were baptized, and it was always by complete immersion into the water.

Calvin misunderstood the Word of God.  The Bible does indeed teach that it is IMPOSSIBLE for mankind to save himself.  Mark 10:25-27 reads, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible).  Yet, the Word of God also proclaims that "whosoever will" (anyone) can get saved, a view that Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists do NOT hold.  Romans 10:13 plainly teaches, "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  It is certainly Biblical that salvation is absolutely 100% of God. 

We read in John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."  But for Calvinists and Hyper-Calvinists to teach that God is "selective" in choosing who will or won't be saved is certainly NOT Biblical.  Titus 2:11 clearly teaches, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."  Did you read that...ALL men?  Calvin believed that only certain sinners of God's choosing would be saved.  Romans 10:13 plainly teaches that "WHOSOEVER" will may come to be saved (and Arminius believed this).  John 3:16 proclaims that God loved the WORLD enough to send His only begotten Son to pay for our sins.  Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism are wrong to teach that God chooses who will be saved.

John Calvin taught heresy when he taught that God chooses people to be saved.  There is NOT one Scripture in the entire Word of God which teaches that God chooses anyone to be saved.  The Bible teaches that all believers were predestined to "be conformed to the image of His Son," NOT predestined to salvation ("For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" -Romans 8:29).  Calvinism teaches predestination unto salvation.  This is unbiblical.  God NEVER chooses anyone for salvation, Scriptures such as Acts 17:30 make this abundantly clear ("...but now commandeth all men every where to repent").  Why would God command ALL men to repent if only certain men have been chosen for salvation. 

There really is NO debate concerning Arminianism, Calvinism, and Hyper-Calvinism if you simply take the Word of God at face value...they're all messed up!  The Bible is so clear on all these matters.  There are problems with all three views.  Arminianism is wrong to teach that a person can lose salvation.  Romans 5:15 declares that eternal life is a "FREE GIFT."  A gift CANNOT be taken back if it is freely given.  Salvation is God's gift to man, paid for by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:14).  Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism teach "limited atonement" and "selective salvation," which are both Satanic lies.  1st John 2:2 couldn't be any clearer, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  Calvinism is unbiblical heresy!
 

On "Limited Atonement" and "Irresistible Grace"

The Bible teaches universal atonement.  Like it or not, the Word of God is our Final Authority, NOT Spurgeon or any other man.  1st John 2:2 reads, ""And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  2nd Corinthians 5:15, "And that he died for all..."  We read in 1st Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  The Word of God proclaims that Christ came to save sinners, not just certain sinners. 

Listen to the plain teaching of 2nd peter 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."  This Scripture clearly reveals that it is possible for ALL men to repent.  God is NOT willing for any to perish.  If Calvinism is correct, then how can you reconcile God's desire for all men to repent if He only predestinates certain of them to salvation?  Calvinism makes no sense at all.

Furthermore, God never forces anyone to be saved.  Not one instance in the Word of God is found where God forced anyone to get saved.  Again, Titus 2:11 declares that the grace of God that brings salvation appears to ALL humanity.  Psalm 19:1-3 clearly teaches that nature itself testifies of the goodness of God.  Romans 1:20 teaches that God's eternal power and Godhead are CLEARLY presented in God's creation. 

Therefore, all men are without excuse.  The Door of salvation is open to all, and that Door is Jesus Christ.  Anyone may enter, but God will NOT force a man to be saved.  Calvin taught heresy.  Jesus clearly exposes the lie of irresistible grace when he said in John 5:40, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."  Jesus said, "ye WILL NOT"; He didn't say, "ye CANNOT!"

"...God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." -1st Timothy 2:3-4
 

On the "Perseverance of the Saints" and "Eternal Security"

In Calvin's commentary on 1st John 3:9, he uses the word "perseverance", clearly stating:

"the hearts of the godly are so effectually governed by the Spirit of God, that through an inflexible disposition they follow his guidance." (John Calvin)

"the power of the Spirit is so effectual, that it necessarily retains us in continual obedience to righteousness." (John Calvin)

This is NOT eternal security.  Rather Perseverance of the Saints is a perseverance in a behavior consistent with that expected of a child of God.  However, Calvin failed to accept the FACT that believers DO sin, sometimes horribly so.  Sometimes believers go into a life of sin and never get right with God.  Their fellowship with God is broken, but their relationship is not.  David committed adultery and then killed the woman's husband.  David was unrepentant for one year.  If David would have died in that unrepentant state, he would have gone straight to Heaven, NOT Hell as Calvin taught.  Fortunately for David, he did repent. 

However, Solomon lived a wicked life of rebellion against God until the end.  Calvin's teachings are nonsense.  Calvin's teachings are indeed a form of Lordship Salvation.  There is much confusion on the last point of Calvinism.  Some people believe that Calvin taught unconditional eternal security.  Others believe that Calvin taught eternal security conditioned upon the perseverance of the believer.  Clearly, from Calvin's own statements, he believed in Lordship Salvation, that a believer cannot simply trust Christ to be saved, but that a life of commitment and perseverance was also necessary as proof of conversion. 

These are damnable heresies.  Although the Bible does teach that a man becomes a new creature in Christ when he is regenerated at Salvation, we cannot always judge that salvation from the outward appearance.  Lot by all appearances was an unsaved heathen, but God called Him a righteous man (2nd peter 2:7).  There are many believers who willfully live in sin, but that DOESN'T mean that they aren't saved.  The critics who deny this truth are adding works to salvation. 

"As shocking as it may seem for many Bible-believing Christians, when all is said and done, there is no practical difference between Romanism, Arminianism, and Calvinism in requiring faithful perseverance to make it to heaven!"

Read Full article | Pastor Tom Stegall

Arminius did NOT believe in eternal security at all.  Many believers foolishly call themselves "Arminians."  Even if I agreed with most of the points of Arminius (which I do), I would never call myself an "Arminian" because the Bible teaches us not to, as I'll show you from the Bible in the next section.  I would never identify myself with any other sinful human being (and all have sinned, Romans 3:23).  Although I greatly admire and respect some godly men, the Lord Jesus and His Word are my Final Authority (as it should be everyone's). 

EVERY cult is based upon the teachings of some man or woman.  The Jehovah Witnesses follow Charles Taze Russell, the Mormons follow Joseph Smith, the Seventh-Day Adventists follow Ellen G. White, the Christian Scientists follow Mary Eddy Baker, the Scientologists follow Herbert Armstrong, the Lutherans follow Martin Luther, the Roman Catholics follow the Pope, and on and on!  I follow Jesus Christ (the Living Word) and the Word of God (the Written Word).  Let us not make the same mistake as the heathen by basing our doctrines upon the opinions of mere men.  Let the Word of God and God's Holy Spirit be our Final Guide. 

All 5 points of Calvinism are totally contrary to the plain teachings of the Bible, as is Arminius' heresy on the believer's security in Christ.  Let us be diligent to "study" the Word of God as to rightly divide the Word of Truth and NOT be ashamed ("Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2nd Timothy 2:15).
 

The Heart of the Matter

It is woefully tragic that so many professed believers are making the same mistake which the Apostle Paul rebuked the believers at Corinth of making, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name" -1st Corinthians 1:10-15.  I am NOT an Arminian or a Calvinist, I am a born again Christian!  Let this be our stand!

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/Calvinism/what_a_mess.htm

[rosswell]

akfools,
I'm not a Calvinist but I believe Calvin got it right when it comes to God's sovereignty in salvation.

[William]

I will say it does clear up alot of things I was wondering. Though I didn't believe any of this, I had doubts on some things. However I know that Salvation is a free gift of God, through Grace by Faith in Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord. What it really clears up for me, is that I wondered if everyone who is on Hell was going to end up there anyways, and the same for Heaven, some of this was because Revelation talks about people going into to Hell, so it is a prophecy saying they will go in. However by the other Scriptures in your post I can see more clearly that God wants all to Repent, and to be saved.

If seeing this is the truth, even all the more importance to take the Gospel and preach it that no one ends up in Hell!

Wish I knew the scriptures better. Now I do have one question though...those False Prophets and seducers in I think II Peter 2 it does talk about they were "Ordained" to this damnation, does that mean they can't get saved? I'm just wondering for those specific people, and not everyone.

Thanks and God Bless

[rosswell]

William, consider the following parable in Luke 14:

 16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

 21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

 23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

 24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.


God wants all men to come to repentance and be saved but all men will fail on that basis alone. This leaves God with no choice but to cause some to repent and come to Christ and be saved. This is what we see in this parable.

[Christian40]

Calvinism - False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva, Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance

http://www.biblelife.org/calvinism.htm

[rosswell]

Christian40,
Does your doctrine of salvation line up with John 6:44?

[Christian40]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ckoCBtXvU&feature=related