CALVINISM: I've been studying Calvinism for the greater part of four decades. Most people think of it as only "another theological disagreement" among Christians. If that is your position, then the following questions are for you:
1. Who would want you to believe that God is responsible for (actually causes) all sin and evil?
2. Who would want you to think that Jesus did not die for the sins of the whole world?
3. Who would want you to believe that evangelism is unnecessary, or a waste of time?
4. Who would want you to believe that ongoing faith and repentance are not required?
5. Who would want you to think that sin and backsliding are no threat to your eternal destiny?
6. Who would want you to believe that your final destination is predetermined and unchangeable, regardless of what you want, or what you do, in this life?
7. Who would want you to believe that you are incapable of responding to God and so God believes for you?
8. Who would want you to think that God hates the vast majority of mankind and loves only a few?
The answer is obvious. If you think the church is not guilty of these teachings, then we invite you to read the following introduction to Calvinism.
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Introduction to Calvinism: This document is an easy-to-understand (and easy to read) introduction to Calvinism. It is a short lecture I've given when speaking on the subject.
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Introduction |
Calvinism Critiqued: Steve Jones, a former devotee of Calvinism, presents his critique of Calvinism. It is easy to understand and well-written. We hope it helps others interested in loving God in a way that honors Him, and upholds His generous nature.
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Romans 9-11: Romans 9-11 is included on this site, because Romans 9 is considered to be the "pillar of Calvinism" by many Calvinists. My gut feeling is that Romans 9 is what Peter had in mind when he said, "Regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Pet 3:15-16; NASV). I do not think Peter is referring to Calvinists, because those doctrines would not exist for another 400 years. (The doctrines of Calvinism actually came from Augustine, whom John Calvin greatly admired.) However, Paul is not that hard to understand ~ except here, in Romans 9. We find it strange that anyone would pick one of the most controversial chapters in the New Testament as their "proof text" for fundamental insights into God's heart. With that said, the following document takes a stab at the meaning of Romans 9-11. (I have included chapters 10-11 in my notes, because they are easy to understand, and they contradict Calvinism at face value.)
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